The Jump Off - Hike to The Jump Off in the Great Smoky Mountains


Trail Features:		Panoramic Views
Trail Location:		Newfound Gap
Roundtrip Length:		6.5 miles
Total Elevation Gain:		1275 feet
Avg. Elev Gain / Mile:		392 feet
Highest Elevation:		6225 feet
Trail Difficulty Rating:		9.05 (moderate)
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 the Newfound Gap parking lot. You'll be hiking eastward on the Appalachian Trail to reach the Jump Off.

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

Trail Description:

The trail to the Jump Off, via the Appalachian Trail, begins from the Newfound Gap parking lot. A steady climb over the course of the first two miles of this hike will quickly leave the crowds at Newfound Gap behind. For your effort during this section of trail, you'll be rewarded often and early. Take a short break at roughly two-thirds of a mile to enjoy the grand views of the North Carolina Smokies to the south of you. Make sure to keep an eye out for the wide variety of wildflowers that bloom in this area 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 towards the northwest.

Throughout several portions of this section of trail you'll be traveling at an elevation of roughly 6000 feet. Being at the highest point along this narrow ridge, with outstanding views on either side of the trail, you'll feel like you're walking along the spine of the Appalachian Mountains.

At just over 2.7 miles, turn left onto the Boulevard Trail.

Less than a tenth of a mile after turning onto the Boulevard Trail is the junction for the Jump-Off. This trail is not an official National Park trail, but it is marked with a sign. Although it has a few rugged sections, the trail is easy to follow.

Before reaching the Jump Off itself, you'll have some great views of Mount LeConte along the way. At the Jump Off, 3.2 miles from the trailhead, you'll have spectacular views of Charlies Bunion, Mt. Guyot, and the Appalachian Trail ridge towards the east of you. This is an excellent place for a picnic.

If you still have the energy, you have the option of hiking out to Charlies Bunion. Instead of returning back to the parking lot after exiting the Boulevard Trail, turn left and go east on the Appalachian Trail. The stunning views there are well worth the additional two-and-a-half mile roundtrip.