A short hike with double the views: Sunset Rock and Sunrise Rock, Highlands, NC
Bonnie and Clyde at Sunset Rock in Highlands, North Carolina.
Some people hike for exercise. To commune with nature. To enjoy a moving meditative state.
We here at Super Cool Van Trips love all those things. But, let’s face it, the real payoff is the view. Typically at the end. Sometimes in the middle. Perhaps the whole way through.
We hike for great views.
On a trip to Highlands, North Carolina, this April, we found a short hike with double the payoff: spectacular views from Sunset Rock and Sunrise Rock at Ravenel Park.
Since it was a short hike, we walked to the trailhead from town. It’s an easy walk, and it turned out to be a good choice since there isn’t a surplus of parking at the trailhead. Good thinking, us.
The trail begins across the street from Highlands Nature Center, which is also worth a visit. Or, perhaps a restroom and water refill stop. The trailhead and trail have no bathrooms of their own.
A service road winds through the woods on the way to Sunset Rock and Sunrise Rock.
Hiking to Sunset Rock
Highlands, NC
You start on a gravel service road, going uphill.
It’s not overly long, but it did give me pause at one point whether we had chosen the wrong hike. Here we were in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, and we were walking on a service road. I was a little disappointed.
Then we reached the end of the gravel road. The trail splits in 2 directions here, each a short walk to a different viewpoint.
To the right, Sunset Rock. This trail opens up onto a floor of granite with views reaching out over the town to Brushy Face Mountain and beyond. Here you’ll find people scrambling over the rock, having a picnic or just taking in the view.
As the name implies, this is also a great place to watch the sunset, as it faces west.
Another interesting note: The eastern continental divide runs through here. Water that falls to one side of the divide eventually reaches the Atlantic Ocean. Water that falls on the other side makes its way to the Gulf of Mexico. Science.
The view from Sunset Rock in Highlands, North Carolina.
Hiking to Sunrise Rock
Highlands, NC
Back to the gravel road and across the way, Sunrise Rock. Yep, this one faces east so you can catch the morning rays coming up over Horse Cove Valley.
This is a shorter walk, ending in a smaller area from which to enjoy the vista. But, the view is just as big — if not bigger.
With its unique granite flooring, Sunset Rock seems to get the top billing here. In fact, we didn’t even notice Sunrise Rock on the trailhead sign.
We didn’t know the hike had 2 viewpoints until we got to the top. We even briefly considered skipping out on Sunrise Rock, but that would’ve been a mistake.
Sunrise Rock feels wilder somehow. More remote. Maybe because it doesn’t overlook the town. So, be sure to check it out. It’d be a shame to miss it.
The view from Sunrise Rock in Highlands, North Carolina.
Once you’re done snapping pics and ogling Mother Nature, head back to the gravel road to close out the hike. This time, you’ll be going downhill.
We met a car coming up on our way down, which made for a less serene walk. I’m guessing the young couple in the SUV were regretting their decision to drive up the small, rough road. At least, that’s what their expressions seemed to say. Maybe I’m projecting.
But, driving is an option if you need it. If you meet another car on the road, it’ll be a little tricky getting by, so be careful. Watch for people and dogs.
Where to find the trailhead
930 Horse Cove Road
Highlands, NC 28741
Sunset Rock hike / Sunrise Rock hike
Distance: 1.4 miles out and back
Elevation gain: 236 ft
Difficulty: Easy-moderate (most consider the hike to be easy, but it is uphill on gravel, which increases the difficulty slightly in our book)
Worth it: Totally
Terrier approved: 100% (lots of smells, other dogs and pretty things to tinkie on)
Parking: Some
Restrooms: Across the street at Highlands Nature Center
You can hike to Sunset Rock in about 30 minutes.
North Carolina was the 21st state we took Camper Van Beethoven.
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