Trip Planner:   USA  /  Tennessee  /  Great Smoky Mountains National Park  /  Charlies Bunion

Charlies Bunion, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

4.9
#8 of 18 in Trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Hiking Trail · Hidden Gem · Nature / Park
Characterized by a picturesque steep-sided outcrop just beneath the summit, Charlies Bunion offers expansive, breathtaking mountain views. Leave the traffic noise and hubbub behind and walk along the narrow ridge crest tunneling through deep conifers to reach this bare-rock mountain peak, which rises 1,696 m (5,565 ft) above sea level. Wear sturdy shoes and watch your footing. In addition to 488 m (1,600 ft) elevation change, plenty of roots, jagged rocks, and steep drop-offs make this hike quite challenging. If you feel like resting on your way up or back down, stop at the Icewater shelter. Work out when and for how long to visit Charlies Bunion and other Great Smoky Mountains National Park attractions using our handy Great Smoky Mountains National Park day trip planning tool.
Create an itinerary including Charlies Bunion

Charlies Bunion reviews

Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 5.0
125 reviews
Google
5.0
TripAdvisor
  • By marienjnj
    The view is worth the hike. It took us about 3.5 hours out and back and we Spent about 45 minutes eating lunch and enjoying the view. This is a fairly easy to moderate hike. Conditions are wet and...  more »
  • By sundee t
    Didn't realize how out of shape I was. But we all made it to the top. And it was definitely worth it. The trail is not easy. There are a lot of uneven areas where you are stepping up and over roots...  more »
See more on TripAdvisor »
Google
  • By Jen Studer
    Even with it being so foggy we could barely see anything it was still one of our favorite hikes we've ever done in the Smoky Mountains. I can't wait to do it again!
  • By Jason Mears
    One of my favorite smoky mountain hikes. Absolutely gorgeous hike the entire way to the bunion. Get their early on the morning because if not you will be waiting in line to check it out.
See more on Google »

Plan your trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park

  • Get a personalized trip
    A complete day by day itinerary
    based on your preferences
  • Customize it
    Refine your trip. We'll find the
    best routes and schedules
  • Manage it
    Everything in one place.
    Everyone on the same page.

Popular things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Roaring Fork ©
Nature / Park
Roaring Fork
4.8
Duration: 2h 30 min
Newfound Gap Road ©
Scenic Drive
Newfound Gap Road
4.8
Duration: 2h 30 min
Clingmans Dome ©
Mountain
Clingmans Dome
4.8
Duration: 2h 30 min
Spruce Flats Falls ©
Waterfall
Spruce Flats Falls
4.9
Duration: 2h 30 min

Trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail ©
Hiking Trail
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
4.7
Duration: 2h 30 min
Grotto Falls Parking ©
Hiking Trail
Grotto Falls Parking
4.6
Duration: 2h 30 min
Alum Cave Trail ©
Hiking Trail
Alum Cave Trail
4.6
Duration: 2h 30 min
Middle Prong Trail
Hiking Trail
Middle Prong Trail
5.0
Duration: 2h 30 min

Nature in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Laurel Falls ©
Waterfall
Laurel Falls
4.5
Duration: 2h 30 min
Mount LeConte ©
Mountain
Mount LeConte
4.9
Duration: 2h 30 min
Abrams Falls Trail
Waterfall
Abrams Falls Trail
4.5
Duration: 2h 30 min
Hen Wallow Water Falls ©
Waterfall
Hen Wallow Water Falls
4.5
Duration: 2h 30 min

Parks in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Cades Cove ©
Nature / Park
Cades Cove
4.4
Duration: 2h 30 min
Chimneys Picnic Area ©
Park
Chimneys Picnic Area
4.9
Duration: 2h 30 min
Greenbrier Picnic Area ©
Park
Greenbrier Picnic Area
4.7
Duration: 2h 30 min
Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail ©
Nature / Park
Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail
4.5
Duration: 2h 30 min

Hidden gems in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Ramsey Cascades
Waterfall
Ramsey Cascades
4.8
Duration: 2h 30 min
The Sinks ©
Outdoor Activity
The Sinks
4.8
Duration: 2h 30 min
Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area ©
Park
Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area
4.7
Duration: 2h 30 min
Upper Tremont Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park ©
Hiking Trail
Upper Tremont Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
4.9
Duration: 2h 30 min

Nearby attractions in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Little River Road ©
Scenic Drive
Little River Road
4.9
Duration: 2h 30 min
Oconaluftee Visitor Center ©
Visitor Center
Oconaluftee Visitor Center
4.7
Duration: 2h 30 min
Sugarlands Visitors Center ©
Visitor Center
Sugarlands Visitors Center
4.7
Duration: 2h 30 min
Jump Off Trail ©
Hiking Trail
Jump Off Trail
5.0
Duration: 2h 30 min

Don't Miss a Thing. See & Do More.

Trips to Charlies Bunion by other users

36 days in Knoxville & Seattle BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Knoxville Seattle 6 days in Pigeon Forge BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Rocky Top Mountain Coaster Dollywood Mill Bridge Winery 5 days in Gatlinburg BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Sugarlands Distilling Company Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies Dollywood 5 days in Tennessee BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Gatlinburg 5 days in Tennessee BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Gatlinburg 3 days in Great Smoky Mountains National Park BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Baskins Creek Falls Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail Quiet Walkways