Charlies Bunion via Appalachian TrailModerate
Distance (One Way)
Elevation Gain
Trailhead
Location
Trail Description
Charlies Bunion is a mountain with beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding area. Following the Appalachian Trail, you can reach the vantage point with about an 8 mile roundtrip hike. The trail to get to Charlies Bunion isn't actually marked, but if you're following the AT, look for signs for Icewater Spring. Once you reach the spring, Charlies Bunion is about 20 minutes further.
This hike travels to rock crags along the state-line ridge, the main crest of the Smoky Mountains. By taking the AT trailhead in the corner of the Newfound Gap parking area, this segment will lead you to the rock outcropping, Charlie’s Bunion. Along the way you'll pass the crossings for Sweat Heifer Creek Trail and The Boulevard Trail.
The first mile of this part of the trail gradually ascends about 300 feet. Depending on the time of year, the trail tends to be covered with trees.You'll find a backcountry shelter, one of the nicer structures along this route, for Appalachian Trail hikers at Icewater Spring. Up to 12 people can sleep at the shelter with a permit and reservation from the National Park Service.
[+ Read More]Trail Difficulty Scales Explained
Elevation Grade
5%
Gentle Slope
Paul Petzoldt Scale
6.6
Moderate
5
10
15
Shenandoah Scale
100
Moderate
50
100
150
Hiker Tips & Trivia
- The trail is more crowded on weekends; for best results, try a mid-week hike.
- Includes plenty of exposed cliffs, rough terrain, and uphill climbing.
- Some of the most breathtaking views of the Tennessee side of the mountains.
Photo Gallery
Trail Map
More Hikes
Little River Trail
This easy hike runs along a pretty forest river on a wide flat road that eventually narrows into a true trail. It is oft...
Little Greenbrier Trail
Little Greenbrier Trail is an easy to moderate hiking trail that intersects with Little Brier Gap trail and Laurel Falls...
Anthony Creek Trail
Anthony Creek Trail is a single trail connecting the Cades Cove picnic area to Bote Mountain Trail. It is often combined...
Charlies Bunion via Kephart Prong Loop
There is more than one way to reach the popular viewpoint Charlies Bunion. This 14.2 mile loop hike (sometimes called a ...
- Abrams Falls Trail (4.2 mi)
- Alum Cave Trail (Mt. LeConte) (5 mi)
- Andrews Bald via Forney Ridge Trail (1.8 mi)
- Anthony Creek Trail (3.5 mi)
- Appalachian Trail Smoky Mountains Segment (71.7 mi)
- Baskins Creek Trail (2.7 mi)
- Baxter Creek Trail (Mt. Sterling) (6.6 mi)
- Big Creek Trail (Mouse Creek Falls, Midnight Hole) (5.8 mi)
- Bote Mountain Trail (6.6 mi)
- Boulevard Trail (Mt. LeConte) (5.4 mi)
- Bradley Fork Trail (7.3 mi)
- Brushy Mountain Trail (Mt. LeConte) (4.9 mi)
- Bullhead Trail (Mt. LeConte) (5.9 mi)
- Charlies Bunion via Appalachian Trail (4.2 mi)
- Charlies Bunion via Kephart Prong Loop (14.2 mi)
- Chestnut Top Trail (4.3 mi)
- Chimney Tops Trail (2 mi)
- Clingmans Dome Trail (0.6 mi)
- Cove Mountain Trail (8.5 mi)
- Cucumber Gap Trail (2.4 mi)
- Dry Sluice Gap Trail (4.2 mi)
- Eagle Creek Trail (8.9 mi)
- Elkmont Nature Trail (0.8 mi)
- Forney Ridge Trail (5.4 mi)
- Gabes Mountain Trail (Hen Wallow Falls) (6.6 mi)
- Gatlinburg Trail (1.9 mi)
- Grapeyard Ridge Trail (7.6 mi)
- Gregory Bald Trail (Gregory Bald) (7.3 mi)
- Gregory Ridge Trail (Gregory Bald) (5 mi)
- Grotto Falls (Trillium Gap Trail) (1.4 mi)
- Huskey Gap Trail (4.1 mi)
- Jakes Creek Trail (3.3 mi)
- Kephart Prong Trail (2 mi)
- Laurel Falls Trail (4 mi)
- Little Greenbrier Trail (4.3 mi)
- Little River Trail (6.1 mi)
- Lower Mt. Cammerer Trail (7.4 mi)
- Lumber Ridge Trail (4.1 mi)
- Lynn Camp Prong Trail (3.7 mi)
- Maddron Bald Trail (Albright Grove) (7.3 mi)
- Meigs Creek Trail (3.5 mi)
- Meigs Mountain Trail (6 mi)
- Middle Prong Trail (Indian Flat Falls) (4.1 mi)
- Miry Ridge Trail (5 mi)
- Mt. Cammerer Trail via Low Gap + AT (5.6 mi)
- Mt. Sterling Ridge Trail (5.3 mi)
- Newfound Gap to Clingmans Dome (7.7 mi)
- Noland Creek Trail (9.2 mi)
- Old Settlers Trail (15.8 mi)
- Old Sugarlands Trail (3.9 mi)
- Panther Creek Trail (2.3 mi)
- Porters Creek Trail (Fern Branch Falls) (3.7 mi)
- Rainbow Falls Trail (Mt. LeConte) (6.5 mi)
- Ramsey Cascades Trail (4 mi)
- Rich Mountain Loop (8.7 mi)
- Russell Field Trail (3.5 mi)
- Spence/Russell Field Loop (13.2 mi)
- Spruce Flats Falls Trail (Buckeye) (1.8 mi)
- Swallow Fork Trail (4 mi)
- Sweat Heifer Creek Trail (3.7 mi)
- Trillium Gap Trail (Grotto Falls, Mt. LeConte) (8.9 mi)
The above list of hiking trails in the Smokies is incomplete and constantly being updated. If you have information or photos you would like to contribute, please contact caroline@pigeonforge.com.
;){kind=link}