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    Home » Travel » Outdoor Adventure » Tennessee

    Charlies Bunion and the Jump Off

    Published: Sep 19, 2019 · Modified: May 13, 2024 · 2 Comments

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Are you visiting the Smoky Mountains? Make sure to do one of the best hikes in the park, and follow the Appalachian Trail to Charlies Bunion and the Jump Off.

    Are you visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Make sure to do one of the best hikes in the park by following the Appalachian Trail to Charlies Bunion and the Jump Off!

    View from the Jump Off

    Do you have dreams of completing a through-hike?

    Do the Pacific Crest Trail and the Appalachian Trail whisper your name, but then you look at your calendar and realize-- it's not going to happen any time soon?

    Or maybe the idea of a through-hike sounds romantic, but as you begin to think about the uncomfortable realities of the hike, you begin to feel squeamish.

    If you nodded your head, all I can say is — I understand.

    And I can't help you make a through-hike a reality, but I can show you a gorgeous day hike on the Appalachian Trail.

    You won't be able to say "I hiked the Appalachian Trail," but you can say "I hiked ON the Appalachian Trail."

    And that's something, right?

    This Appalachian Trail day hike to Charlies Bunion and the Jump Off is one of the best trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and has sweeping views of the park.

    Want more hiking ideas for the Smokies? Check out the Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte, Andrews Bald, or Deep Creek, and then check out my tips for hiking in the Smokies, avoiding crowds, or enjoying the North Carolina side of the park!

    Is This a Difficult Trail?

    Most of the trail is moderately strenuous, and the short section to the Jump Off is strenuous with a little bit of rock scrambling.

    The trail is about eight and a half miles long if you only go to Charlies Bunion, or approximately nine and a half miles total if you also go to the Jump Off.

    The trail elevation changes almost 2,000 feet.

    Where is the Trail to Charlies Bunion and the Jump Off?

    Drive to the Newfound Gap Parking Area in the Smoky Mountains.

    It's a large parking lot with a scenic overview. As of spring 2023, you'll need a paid parking pass, which you can buy online or in the park.

    Tip: There's plenty of parking for this trailhead, but if you want to have a quiet hike, or enjoy the view of Charlies Bunion alone, leave early. This is a popular hike.

    The trailhead is left of the overview, and is on the unpaved path just after the paved walkway to the restrooms.

    There is no trail marker for Charlies Bunion here.

    Instead, you'll follow the trail sign for the Appalachian Trail, and then later follow signs for Icewater Spring.

    Headed to the Smokies?  Check out my recommended hiking gear for the Smoky Mountains!

    Trailhead Sign - Start Here for Charlies Bunion
    Trailhead Sign - Start Here for Charlies Bunion

    Follow the sign for the Appalachian Trail, and start walking.

    You'll get occasional glimpses of the mountains along the way.

    View along the Appalachian Trail
    Sunrise Along the Appalachian Trail

    You'll walk mostly uphill for the first half of the hike.

    Watch your footing, because the trail is covered in loose rocks, large rocks, and tree roots.

    When you come to the next trail sign, follow the sign for Icewater Spring Shelter.

    Interested in seeing waterfalls on a less-hiked trail? You could decide to branch off here to Sweat Heifer Creek Trail!

    Appalachian Trail Sign- Head Towards Icewater Springs
    Appalachian Trail Sign- Head Towards Icewater Springs

    As you walk, notice the white Appalachian Trail markers on the trees.

    White Appalachian Trail Markers
    White Appalachian Trail Markers
    The trail to Charlie's Bunion
    The trail to Charlies Bunion

    At the next trail junction, you'll finally see a sign for Charlies Bunion!

    Follow the sign.

    Appalachian Trail Sign for Charlies Bunion
    Appalachian Trail Sign for Charlies Bunion

    Along the way, you'll pass a junction for the Icewater Spring shelter. Stay on the Appalachian Trail.

    Appalachian Trail Sign
    Appalachian Trail Sign

    As you walk, make sure to look around. We saw lots of mushrooms on this hike!

    Mushrooms Along the Trail
    Mushrooms Along the Trail

    As you get closer to Charlies Bunion, the trail will get rougher. Step carefully.

    Rocky Path
    Rocky Path
    Rocks on Path
    Rocks on Path
    Tree Roots on the Trail
    Tree Roots on the Trail

    Finally, you'll arrive at the sign for Charlies Bunion.

    The views are just past the sign.

    Sign for Charlies Bunion
    Sign for Charlies Bunion

    As you near the end of the trail, you'll see it-- a big, reddish-brown rock rising from the ground.

    That, my friends-- is Charlies Bunion.

    Giggle as you try to imagine the bunion looking... well, like a foot bunion, and then go ahead and admire the scenery.

    Charlies Bunion
    Charlies Bunion
    View from Charlies Bunion
    View from Charlies Bunion

    This is also a fabulous time to eat a snack.

    My husband, ever the coffee lover, took the opportunity to brew us both some espresso. He brought coffee grounds (we love Illy coffee grounds) , a backpacking stove (to heat water), and a hand-pump espresso machine.

    I felt so fancy with my tiny cup of caffeine. Yum.

    Coffee at Charlies Bunion
    Coffee at Charlies Bunion

    Rest here for awhile, and then turn around and head back the way you came.

    A little over a mile down the trail, you'll reach the Boulevard Trail junction. This is where you got your first glimpse of the words "Charlies Bunion" on a trail sign.

    If you want even more awesome views, follow the signs for the Jump Off Trail.

    Also, I feel pretty certain that the Jump Off Trail is longer than 0.3 miles-- I estimate that it's closer to 0.5 miles each way.

    Trail Sign for the Jump Off
    Trail Sign for the Jump Off

    Almost immediately after the trail junction, you'll see another sign for the Jump Off. Make a sharp right and head up the trail.

    Note that the Jump Off Trail is much more strenuous than the trail to Charlies Bunion.

    Trail Sign for the Jump Off
    Trail Sign for the Jump Off

    This trail is a little overgrown (or was the day we hiked it), and has no trail markers, so be alert.

    You'll climb up, up, and up some more, over tree roots and rocks.

    At one point, you'll walk through a narrow path in tall grass. I recommend brushing a trekking pole against the grass to warn any snakes or other animals that you're walking through.

    The Jump Off Trail
    The Jump Off Trail
    The Jump Off Trail
    The Jump Off Trail

    And then suddenly-- you're there.

    View from the Jump Off
    View from the Jump Off

    The views from the Jump Off are amazing, and my husband actually preferred this spot to Charlies Bunion.

    Enjoy the views, and then turn around and head back down the Jump Off Trail.

    View from the Jump Off
    View from the Jump Off

    Turn left at the bottom of the Jump Off Trail, walking towards the Boulevard and Appalachian Trails junction. Follow the signs for the Newfound Gap to get back to your car.

    After our hike, we headed to our campground, cleaned up, and jumped in the pool to cool off!

    Looking for a place to stay? We've stayed at the Cherokee KOA and the Townsend KOA and enjoyed both campgrounds! For great local eateries, don't miss DaLaya Thai Cuisine in Sylva or Everett Hotel Bistro in Bryson City.

    More Tennessee Outdoor Adventure

    • Synchronous fireflies lighting up all over forested hillside.
      Synchronous Fireflies: A Viewing Guide
    • How to Avoid Crowds in the Smoky Mountains
    • Sweat Heifer Cascades.
      Sweat Heifer Creek Trail (Great Smoky Mountains)
    • Stairs Along the Alum Cave Trail
      Hiking in the Smokies: The Best Trails

    About Sarah Trenalone

    Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker.

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    Comments

    1. MARK VOGELPOHL says

      September 27, 2021 at 4:46 pm

      Went to the Jumpoff today. You explained everything my wife and I talked about like you were walking with us!

      Reply
      • Sarah Trenalone says

        September 27, 2021 at 5:43 pm

        Yay! I'm so glad it was helpful and I hope you both had a great time 🙂

        Reply
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