Wild Trails Wales Guide: Planning a walk for sunset in the mountains
Nearing the summit for a sunset view in the Brecon Beacons
The end of the day is undeniably my favourite time in the mountains. Walking through golden hour with the anticipation of the sunset, the afterglow, and then waiting for the first star to come out is magical. No one sunset is ever the same, and neither is seeing the sunset guaranteed, which makes it all the more special when you get one of those that stay etched in your memory for years to come. Because mountain weather is unpredictable, catching a sunset is part in the planning, and part a dose of luck. The good news is, the more often you try, the luckier you’ll get. After many years of chasing sunsets in the mountains, I have learnt that there are some things to consider when planning a mountain sunset walk.
Research good sunset viewpoints
There are so many wonderful viewpoints for sunsets in the welsh mountains. If you get to any high peak that isn’t overshadowed by a higher peak to the west, then you should have a fantastic view for sunset. Of course the classic spots of Pen y Fan’s neighbouring peak Corn Du, and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) make for great sunset walks, but there are many others that offer equally beautiful, if not better, sunset views.
Read a guide to my favourite mountain sunset spots in Wales.
Check the weather
Of course a good mountain weather forecast is a must when planning any walk, but particularly so for sunset, when poor weather conditions can make walking in fading light much more difficult. The temperature drops rapidly once the sun has set, so be prepared for this to happen. Check the MWIS and Met Office Mountain Weather for forecasts. Don’t be put off by cloud, unless it is forecast to be thick and low; clouds, especially high clouds, can make for the most dramatic sunsets of all.
Think about terrain and difficulty
The reason for this is that the more difficult the terrain, the longer it will take you, and this is multiplied in the dark. If you’re descending over rough, rocky ground, chances of misplacing a step or tripping are increased, and you may also want to consider how far away you are from help if something were to go wrong. For sunset mountain walks I prefer to choose routes that have an easy descent, or at least a route where you can descend the trickiest part before it gets too dark.
Allow plenty of time to reach your intended viewpoint
Walking through golden hour is very special so you want to savour it - make sure you allow enough time to reach your intended sunset viewpoint by, well, sunset! Check the sunset times for the location (a quick google i.e. sunset times Pen y Fan) will bring this up, you can usually check in advance by date). Then subtract the amount of time you think you’ll need to reach the peak. To make sure you don’t miss a sunset even if you don’t reach the peak in time, approach from a direction where you’ll have a clear view to the west on your way up. That way you’ll catch the sunset even if you’re not at the top.
Pack well
What to pack for a sunset mountain walk? First of all - plenty of warm layers. Once the sun has gone and if you’re sitting still to watch the sun set having got warm on your climb up, you’ll get cold very quickly. The second most important item to pack is a headtorch, and a spare, spare batteries or a charger pack & cable. All the usual kit applies but these are the most important. Other things to consider are a hot drink, and an emergency shelter / blizzard bag.
Can you find your way in the dark?
Until you get confident finding your way around the mountains in the dark, I’d recommend only using routes that you’re familiar with for sunset walks. Otherwise, you might like to go on a guided sunset hike, with a qualified Mountain Leader who is specially trained in night navigation.
Please note that this guide is intended for inspiration only - we cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or issues arising from this content. Please Be Adventure Smart.