Charlies Bunion- Hike to Charlies Bunion in the Smoky Mountains

Charlies Bunion
Trail Features:		Panoramic Views
Trail Location:		Newfound Gap
Roundtrip Miles:		8.1 miles
Total Elevation Gain:		1640 feet
Avg. Elev Gain / Mile:		405 feet
Highest Elevation:		6122 feet
Trail Difficulty Rating:		11.38 (strenuous)
Parking Lot Latitude:		35.61084
Parking Lot Longitude:		-83.42509

Directions to Trailhead:

From the Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, drive 13 miles south on Newfound Gap Road to reach the Newfound Gap parking lot. You’ll be hiking eastward on the Appalachian Trail to reach Charlies Bunion.

From Cherokee, drive 20.2 miles north to reach the Newfound Gap parking lot.

Trail Description:

The trail to Charlies Bunion, via the Appalachian Trail, begins from the Newfound Gap parking lot.

The steady climb of the first two miles of the trail quickly leaves the crowds behind. For your effort, you’ll be rewarded often and early. Take a short break at roughly two-thirds of a mile and enjoy the grand views of the North Carolina Smokies to the south of you. Watch for a variety of wildflowers along the way as well.

Just before reaching the Sweat Heifer Creek Trail junction at 1.7 miles, take in the outstanding views of Mount LeConte and Myrtle Point to the north.

There are several sections of trail where you’ll be traveling just below or above 6000 feet in elevation. Being at the highest point along the narrow ridge, with views on either side of the trail, you’ll feel like you’re walking along the spine of the Appalachians.

At just over 2.7 miles, the Boulevard Trail to Mount LeConte forks off to the left. Continue going straight here.

A quarter of a mile further down the trail you’ll pass the Icewater Spring shelter, named after the nearby spring flowing from a pipe onto the Appalachian Trail. You’ll need to treat this water if you decide you want to drink it.

At roughly 4 miles from the trailhead, a short trail forks off to the left, taking you to Charlies Bunion.

Charlies Bunion is a rock out-cropping and was originally called Fodderstack.

The current name is a result of when Charlie Conner was hiking with Horace Kephart, an early proponent of a national park in the Smokies. When they paused for a rest on the rocks, Conner took his boots and socks off, exposing a bunion that looked like the surrounding rocks. Looking at Conner’s feet, Kephart remarked, “Charlie, I’m going to get this place put on a government map for you.” And so he did.

Charlies Bunion offers stunning views of the mountains to the north of you, the Jump Off to your west, and Mount Guyot towards the east. Because of the steep drop-offs, you'll need to watch you’re footing here.

If you still have the energy, take a side trail near the Boulevard Trail junction to visit The Jump Off. The stunning views there are well worth the additional one-mile roundtrip.