Charlies Bunion Trail Hike

8 miles - Moderate Effort
Or: Extra 1 Mile to Jump Off
4-5 Hours (Total)
Expect to See Some Other Hikers
1,900 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 6,100 feet
No Dogs Allowed

Charlies Bunion Trail is an underrated hike; it's among the best day hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It's challenging without being too hard and offers incredible views and a mini-Application Trail experience. The Charlies Bunion Trail is one of my favorites in the park.

In this Guide:

Video and Turn-by-Turn Directions
Where to Park
Insider Tips & Recommendations

Quick Links:
Parking Tag - Park Website - Weather Forecast - My Dec 2024 Gear

Where is Charlies Bunion Trail?

Charlies Bunion Trail Parking — The hike starts at the Newfound Gap parking area, just off the main road through the park, route 441.

The trailhead is at Newfound Gap, nearly a mile above sea level on the TN and NC border. Use this trailhead address:
Newfound Gap Parking Area, Bryson City, NC 28713

You need a parking tag if you are leaving your vehicle to hike. You can get them at the Visitor Center with a credit card 24 hours a day.

Charlies Bunion Trail Parking Lot — The parking lot is large but can fill up, especially with drivers stopping for the views. If there are no spots, just hang out, and a parking spot will surely open up.

I recommend doing this hike at sunrise. You'll get great colors, your best chance at seeing the "smoky" vapor from the trees, and less crowds.

Gear Recommendations

Charlies Bunion Trail Gear — Having comfortable footwear, such as trail runners or hiking shoes, is important. Some people also find trekking poles useful.

The trail is rocky, root-filled, and can be muddy. If you're not a regular hiker, you might think that hiking boots are the best move, but most Appalachian Trail hikers use trail runners. They offer a great blend of protection and comfort.
You'll be over a mile above sea level at points along this hike. It's generally colder and more extreme than nearby Gatlinburg and Cherokee. Check the mountain forecast link at the top of this guide. If it's snowy and icy, this hike is best done at another time. Even if conditions are good, bring an extra layer and shell. Summer thunderstorms are not uncommon.
Although this isn't a big mountain climb, there's a fair bit of up and down along the way. If you like using trekking poles, this is a good place to have them.
This is a backcountry hike and you should be prepared with the essentials.
Cellular reception is generally non-existent. Bring a satellite communicator if you have one.

Gear That I Love Right Now

Nothing is sponsored or promoted, just the actual gear that I use.

Garmin InReach Mini 2Hit SOS or just tell loved ones that you're running late where your cell phone has no service. Review here.

Topo MTN RacerAggressive and fun with a wide toe box (=no blisters). Get them wet, they dry quickly. Lots of cushion and comfort.

Osprey Hikelite 26Lightweight, carries all your gear, and your back doesn't get sweaty. Oh yea, it's also one of the most inexpensive packs you can get.

Check out the complete list here. ( Updated December 2024)

Charlies Bunion Trail Maps

Charlies Bunion Trail Blaze — The majority of this hike is along the Appalachian Trail (aka "the AT") which is marked with these white blazes. There are also trail signs at the junctions along the way.

Use This Map:
View in CalTopo | PDF Map | GPX File

How Will You Navigate?

Using the Apple Watch for Hiking

Garmin Fenix 7 & Epix Review For Hikers

How To Read a Topographic Map

Garmin GPSMAP 67i Review

Elevation Profile

Charlies Bunion Trail Elevation — On your way to Charlies Bunion there's a gradual climb. Around Icewater Shelter you descend towards Charlies Bunion. On the way back, you do it in reverse.

3D Map

Charlies Bunion Trail 3d — The hike follows the spine of the mountain. On your right is North Carolina, on your left, Tennessee.

Worth Noting

Although there are no big mountain peaks on this hike, the ridge you hike on is amongst the highest elevations east of the Mississippi River, with some points above 6,000 feet, over a mile above sea level.
One of the nice things about this hike is that it gives you a "best of" taste of the Appalachian Trail. I haven't done the entire through-hike myself, but I have logged a few hundred miles, and these are some of the nicest. You get some views, one of the nicest lodges (Icewater Spring Shelter), and no real steep sections.
Right next to Charlies Bunion is Masa Knob, named after George Masa, a Japanese native who emigrated to Asheville in 1916. His photos are incredible and helped raise awareness and protection to what eventually became Great Smoky Mountains National Park. He was even mentioned in Ken Burn's National Park. documentary (worth watching).
On the way back I recommend adding on a mile to visit The Jump Off, where you get views of Charlies Bunion. The directions are in the video and on the map.

Charlies Bunion Hike Directions

Charlies Bunion Trail Directions 1 — The hike starts next to the Roosevelt Memorial.

Charlies Bunion Trail Directions 2 — You're starting on the Appalachian Trail, which we'll take almost all the way to the end at Charlies Bunion.

Charlies Bunion Trail Directions 3 — You'll hike straight for 1.7 and then reach the Sweet Heifer Creek Trail. Continue straight on the Appalachian Trail.

Charlies Bunion Trail Directions 4 — At 2.7 miles you'll reach the intersection of the Boulevard Trail. Make the hard right and start a downhill section of trail.

Charlies Bunion Trail Directions 5 — As you approach 4 miles in, look for the sign for the side trail to Charlies Bunion.

Charlies Bunion Trail Directions 6 — Charlies Bunion is a short distance down the trail. From here, just turn around and go back the way you came.

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This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!). You can stay up to date with my new guides by following me on YouTube, Instagram, or by subscribing to my monthly newsletter.