6 Hikes With the Best Sunset Views in Virginia

One of the first things I do whenever I’m traveling is to search out the best sunset spots. There is truly something very grounding and therapeutic about watching the sunset. Thankfully, there are plenty of incredible sunset hikes in Virginia that will lead you to mesmerizing viewpoints to take in that gorgeous view. Since the days are getting longer, these sunset hikes in Virginia are the perfect way to end a spring (or summer) day.

Make sure you’ve got the proper hiking gear before you tackle these trails. I’ve kept these sunset hikes to reasonable distances so you’re not wandering for miles in the dark. An AllTrails account and a good headlamp are going to come in handy for these sunset hikes in Virginia!

1. Blackrock Summit 

• Location: Shenandoah National Park
• Length: 1.1 miles
• Difficulty: Easy

Take the Trayfoot Mountain and Appalachian Trail to reach the Blackrock Summit. This sunset hike requires some scrambling but nothing too crazy. Watching the sunset over the Shenandoah Valley and Massanutten Mountain from this trail is one of those moments you never forget.

2. Bearfence Mountain Trail

• Location: Shenandoah National Park
• Length: 1 mile
• Difficulty: Moderate

Don’t let the “it’s only one mile” fool you; this is one sunset hike you’ll be scrambling to get to. There are two main lookouts here, and this is one vantage point where you have incredible views from east and west, making it an awesome sunrise hike, too. Bring a headlamp for the hike back to the car. 

3. Stony Man Trail

• Location: Shenandoah National Park
• Length: 1.5 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate

This is one of the more popular sunset hikes, so you may want to tackle this trek during the week if you want to avoid the crowds. The trail is well-marked, the parking area is free, and it leads to an amazing view. This is a perfect beginner-friendly and kid-friendly trail, too!

4. Hawksbill Loop Trail

• Location: Shenandoah National Park
• Length: 2.7 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate

Perhaps one of the best sunset hikes in Virginia, the Hawksbill Gap Loop is a moderately difficult hike using the Appalachian Trail system. The hike gets pretty steep toward the summit, but your efforts will be rewarded when you reach the top and get those spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley. If you want a shorter (but steeper) hike to the highest peak in the Shenandoah National Park, check out the Hawksbill Summit Trail.

5. Humpback Rocks Recreation Area Trail

• Location: George Washington and Jefferson National Forests
• Length: 1.8 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate

The parking lot at this trailhead fills up quickly, so make sure to arrive early. There is additional parking at the nearby Visitor Center (0.2 miles away). The trail starts off standard but gets fairly steep as you approach the top. The trail has reflective markers, but this is another hike that a good headlamp would come in handy for.

6. Brown Pelican Trail

• Location: Kiptopeke State Park
• Length: 1.8 miles
• Difficulty: Easy

Eastern Virginia gets all the glory for sunrises, but there are a handful of spots where you can catch a coastal sunset, too. The Brown Pelican Trail at Kiptopeke State Park is an idyllic spot to watch a beachy sunset. Stay for a night at the cabins at Kiptopeke State Park so you can explore the area over a few days—it’s worth it!

Share this article with someone you want to embark on one of these sunset hikes in Virginia with! If you’re more of an early bird, you’ll love watching the sunrise at Croatan Beach.

Many of these sunset hikes are in the Shenandoah National Park. Read our ultimate guide to exploring the Shenandoah National Park before you go!