Charlies Bunion
A narrow rock outcrop on the Appalachian Trail with one of the most dramatic views in the Smokies — eight miles round trip from Newfound Gap, and the day hike most regulars here recommend first.
A narrow rock outcrop on the Appalachian Trail with one of the most dramatic views in the Smokies — eight miles round trip from Newfound Gap, and worth every one of them.
The bunion juts out from the ridgeline with the North Carolina side of the park falling away below it. On a clear day you can see ridge after ridge stretching into the distance. It's the classic Smokies day hike.
| Distance | 8 miles round trip |
|---|---|
| Elevation gain | About 1,600 feet |
| Time | 5 to 6 hours |
| Difficulty | Moderate to strenuous |
| Trailhead | Newfound Gap, 5,046 ft |
Charlies Bunion is a narrow outcrop with several hundred feet of exposure and no railings. People have fallen from it, some fatally.
Stay well back from the edges, keep children within arm's reach at all times, and don't scramble out onto the rock for a photo. Wet or icy rock makes it considerably worse.
Before you go
- A parking tag is required at Newfound Gap for any stay over fifteen minutes. Buy at recreation.gov before you leave
- Newfound Gap Road closes in winter weather, which takes the trailhead with it. Check park road status first
- Carry all your water. There are no services and no reliable water on the trail
- Pack layers. You start at 5,046 feet and stay high — it runs fifteen degrees below Gatlinburg, and the wind at the outcrop is real
- The return climbs. The trail loses elevation on the way out in places, which means you're climbing on the way back when you're tired. Don't budget the return as all downhill
The trail
The hike follows the Appalachian Trail north from Newfound Gap, which means you're walking the same path as thru-hikers heading to Maine. In spring you'll pass a few of them.
It starts with a moderate climb through dense spruce-fir forest — the cool, damp high-elevation woodland that only exists above about 4,500 feet in the Smokies. The air is noticeably different from the valleys.
Wildlife along the way includes deer, wild turkeys, and a good range of birds. Spring and summer bring wildflowers.
Around four miles in, the forest opens and you reach the bunion.
The trail is well-marked but gets muddy and slippery after rain, and ice lingers into spring at this elevation. Sturdy footwear matters more here than on the low-elevation trails.
The view
The outcrop looks out over the North Carolina side of the park, with ridges receding into the distance and steep slopes dropping directly below. It's the kind of view that justifies four miles of walking, and it's why the spot gets photographed as much as it does.
The bare rock itself is a result of catastrophe: a wildfire in 1925 followed by a severe storm in 1929 stripped the soil off this section of the ridge entirely, leaving the exposed outcrop you see today. It's been slowly recovering ever since.
Where the name comes from
Charlie Conner, a local guide, was hiking this ridge with a party that included the Smokies conservationist Horace Kephart. Conner stopped to rest and complained about a bunion on his foot. Kephart, looking at the rock formation, is said to have remarked that it stuck out about the same way — and the name stuck.
It's now on official maps, one of the more unusual place-name origins in the park.
When to go
- Spring — wildflowers along the trail, though ice can persist at elevation into April
- Summer — the most reliable weather, but start early to avoid afternoon thunderstorms, which are dangerous on an exposed ridge
- Autumn — the best of the year. Color across the ridges below you, and comfortable hiking temperatures
- Winter — beautiful and genuinely hazardous. Ice on the exposed sections and near the outcrop, plus road closures. Only with traction devices and experience
If eight miles is too much
You don't have to reach the bunion for the walk to be worth it. The Appalachian Trail out of Newfound Gap is scenic from the first quarter-mile, and turning around at any point still gives you a high-elevation ridge walk.
For shorter options entirely, see our kid-friendly hikes. For a bigger day, Mount Le Conte is the next step up.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take?
Five to six hours for eight miles round trip with about 1,600 feet of gain. Allow more time if you're stopping at the outcrop, which everyone does.
How hard is it?
Moderate to strenuous. The distance and elevation gain require reasonable fitness, though the trail itself is well-graded compared to some in the park.
Where does it start?
Newfound Gap, on Newfound Gap Road about twenty minutes up from Gatlinburg. The trail heads north on the Appalachian Trail.
Is it safe at the outcrop?
Only if you're careful. The drop-offs are several hundred feet with no railings, and there have been fatal falls. Stay back from the edges and keep children close.
Do I need a parking pass?
Yes, for any vehicle parked over fifteen minutes at Newfound Gap. Buy in advance at recreation.gov.
Can I bring my dog?
No — dogs aren't permitted on this trail, or on most park trails. The Gatlinburg Trail is one of two exceptions. See our pet-friendly cabins.
Why is it called Charlies Bunion?
A local guide named Charlie Conner complained about a bunion while resting here, and the conservationist Horace Kephart noted the rock stuck out much the same way. The name went onto the maps.
Is it worth it?
It's the most commonly recommended day hike in the park among people who hike here regularly, which tells you something. Eight miles for a view that good is a fair trade.
A five-to-six-hour hike works best with an early start and somewhere close to come back to. Browse Gatlinburg cabins — twenty minutes from the trailhead — and cabins near the national park. A hot tub after eight miles is not a luxury. Coming in autumn? Fall cabin rentals. Check the current specials, or use the vacation planner to plan the trip.