Charlie's Bunion + The Jump Off

Hike Stats

Distance: 9ish miles

Elevation Gain: 1900 ft

Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Date Hiked: June 2016

Getting Here

The hike starts from the large parking lot at Newfound Gap where the Tennessee and North Carolina state lines meet and where tourists, AT thru hikers, and day hikers alike stop to marvel at the stunning views (note: there are toilets here but no potable water!).

The Hike

On my first solo trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I decided to hike what I consider now to be one of the “classic hikes of the Smokies”: Charlie’s Bunion. After snapping a few photos at Newfound Gap, I set off down the trail.

The trail heads northbound on the Appalachian Trail, quickly beginning a steady climb over the next two miles through the woods. There are pretty views of the mountains that pop through the trees throughout the climb, but me being me at the time, did not take any pictures of them. The trail itself is quite nice and is a great example of ridge-walking in the Smokies, with sunlight filtering through the trees and views to either side of the ridge’s spine as I went along.

At about 2.7 miles, I came to a junction with the Boulevard Trail which veers left towards Mount LeConte. I had heard that there was a gorgeous viewpoint called “The Jump Off” just a half mile down this trail so I decided to go check it out. And wow I was glad I did! It has become one of my top favorite views of the Smokies.

After taking a quick rest at The Jump Off, I headed back, turning left once back at the trail junction. About 1.5 miles later, I finally made it to Charlie’s Bunion, a large rock outcropping with incredible 180° views of nearby ridges and mountain peaks to the north, east, and west. It was fairly busy with groups of people spread out and resting along the various rocks but never felt overly crowded (that has probably changed!).

Don't climb up this rock like me, there's a safe spur trail up here haha

Now you’re probably thinking, what the heck is up with that name?! Charlie’s Bunion was dubbed as such after a man named Charlie Conner went hiking with his friend Horace Kephart (a huge advocate for the park) to this spot. As legend has it, Charlie took off his boots to rest his feet, exposing a large bunion that oddly resembled the jutting out rocks. Kephart decided then and there that this place would be forever known as “Charlie’s Bunion.” That story always tickles me! If you hike just past the main outcroppings you'll find a side view of the rocks that is the technical "true bunion."

Anyway, I highly recommend this hike to anyone who is visiting the Smokies for the first time as it truly is a hike that shows off the beauty of this area. After finishing up your hike, head back down from the mountains into the Pigeon Forge area and pick up some delicious apple fritters from The Apple Barn restaurant to snack on - trust me on this one!

Nearby Adventures

Hike to Mount LeConte via the Alum Cave Trail

Hike to good ol' Rocky Top

Chase waterfalls to Laurel Falls

Cherokee National Forest

Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway

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