Charlies Bunion
Charlies Bunion
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
132 reviews
Excellent
114
Very good
14
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
2
DrKahless
Shakespeare, Canada266 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
three families.....3 kids ~9, 5 adults 43 - 57. overall a moderate hike. some elevation gain to deal with and the weather can be warm. scenery spectacular. there is a rustic shelter on the way you can book if needed.
great group outing rewarded with pizza, soda and beer after.
great group outing rewarded with pizza, soda and beer after.
Written 2 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
snpkelley
Uniontown, OH490 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
This is our favorite hike in the park so far. The hike is moderate- not too difficult and the rewards at the end are stunning. It took us 5 hours but we ate at the bunion and took our time.
Written 26 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rick_The_Builder
North Wales - UK287 contributions
Jun 2022
Spectacular views.
We are not used to walking through endless trees, so when we reached Charlies Bunion and actually had some views (of more trees) it made it all the more special.
We are not used to walking through endless trees, so when we reached Charlies Bunion and actually had some views (of more trees) it made it all the more special.
Written 5 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ttiottn1
Ohio361 contributions
Sept 2022
We are in our 50s/60s and experienced hikers. Though most sources rate this trail as "moderate" we rate it "hard/strenuous". We think it's harder than Alum Cave to Mt LeConte. Once we got to Charlies Bunion on a Monday afternoon it was crowded so we did not get to enjoy the view; too many people. The Ice Water Spring shelter was great to stop and have lunch and/or just take a break. Got to chat with many others at the shelter and with a couple people staying the night (we did not spend the night). The trailhead is one of the few with "lots" of parking so getting there at 10:45am we had no problem getting a parking spot; can't say that for most trailheads. If you have nothing else to do or all other trailheads are full, and you want a hard hike 8 miles RT, it's worth a try.
Written 30 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy C
222 contributions
May 2021 • Family
Challenging hike to this great lookout point. Definitely worth the time and energy. Do yourself a favor and buy some nice hiking boots and socks. We passed so many people sitting on the side of the trail with their shoes off and nursing their blisters. Overall we loved the terrain and the beautiful scenery.
Written 15 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cherry_Wonderdog
New England3,155 contributions
Oct 2021
Sorry to be blunt, but the 1.7 mile stretch of the Appalachian trail from Newfound Gap to the Sweet Heifer Creek Trail was a complete waste of our time. It offered the worst scenery and least amount of interest and excitement of all the hikes we took during our weekend stay in the Great Smoky Mountains spanning both Tennessee and North Carolina.
Written 2 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelingSoccerLoon
Saint Paul, MN3,477 contributions
Sept 2021 • Solo
8 mile round trip hike to Charlie’s Bunion from Newfound Gap along the Appalachian Trail. Unfortunately it was pretty socked in with fog which didn’t lift until the mid afternoon despite forecast of a bright sunny day. Limited views when I reached Charlie’s Bunion. I included a hike to the Jump off trail that takes you to the top of Mount Kephart offering maybe even better views.
Written 2 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marienjnj
new york280 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
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 muddy. You will be
Rewarded with 250 degree views of the Smoky’s. Go straight up the Appalachian trail. Typical terrain for At rocky and wet. We arrived at 830 and there was plenty of parking. Take your pic at the Tennessee North Carolina border.
Spent about 45 minutes eating lunch and enjoying the view. This is a fairly easy to moderate hike. Conditions are wet and muddy. You will be
Rewarded with 250 degree views of the Smoky’s. Go straight up the Appalachian trail. Typical terrain for At rocky and wet. We arrived at 830 and there was plenty of parking. Take your pic at the Tennessee North Carolina border.
Written 11 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sun
Orwell, Ohio17 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
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 and rocks. And it's mostly uphill of course. It's about 8 miles round trip. And you definitely feel it the next day if you aren't used to hiking.
Written 1 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DoctormomStow
Stow, OH453 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
Great hike which takes place on a portion of the Appalachian trail. We went at a decent pace & it took under 4 hours total with time to sit & enjoy the view. Portions of the trail are on an incline & traverse a wet creek bed. The view includes alot of evergreens so there was not much color but is still a great panoramic view. There is a restroom at the trailhead. Get to the parking lot early as it is a popular lookout point.
Written 9 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MIKE W
Louisville, KY6 contributions
Is the Trail well marked? Or is it easy to get lost? I will be hiking alone. Is there cell phone service?
STLBritt
Saint Louis, MO11 contributions
The trail is well marked. We parked at the newfound Gap and entered the Appalachian trail by the bathrooms and about 5 miles in you’ll see a sign for Charles Bunion. There’s no cell phone service until you get to Charles bunion
jhh5150
San Diego59 contributions
When is it best to visit in the fall? Best area to stay for a couple?
Summit Seeker
Gatlinburg, TN1,715 contributions
The fall for sure, as the leaves 🍁 are changing. Late October. I’d recommend a cabin instead of a hotel. It will fine you a better sense of the area...
What time does your park Cloes
Summit Seeker
Gatlinburg, TN1,715 contributions
The Smokies never close...24/7. And The park is free to all visitors. Only the visitors centers, campground stores, picnic areas, etc, close at various times. The park has no admission fee, and is accessible from several routes....
Sarah B
Wilson, WY19 contributions
In the areas where the trail is steep, how wide is the trail?
TJLandof10000lakes
Minneapolis MN264 contributions
I'm not sure exactly what you're asking, but the trail is reasonably wide, I don't remember any place on the trail where it felt really narrow. Seems like two people could pass comfortably almost anywhere on the trail. There weren't any places where you got the feeling that it was narrow and you might be could easily step off the trail. It's a typical national park trail, it can accommodate anyone.
Is there any fee for hiking?
Klaus1024
Mering, Germany211 contributions
There is no fee for this trail.
Itchy2121
Evansville, IN7 contributions
Are dogs allowed on trail ? Are there camping spots for a overnite hike?
C.e. P
28 contributions
Pets are not allowed on this trail. The only two trails in the park that allow pets are the Gatlinburg Trail near the Sugarlands Visitor Center and the Oconaluftee River Trail near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center.
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Claim your listingCharlies Bunion - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Charlies Bunion
- Hotels near Charlies Bunion:
- (12.76 km) Buckhorn Inn
- (12.33 km) Camp LeConte Luxury Outdoor Resort
- (12.48 km) Greenbrier Campground
- (13.92 km) Hilton Vacation Club Bent Creek Golf Village Gatlinburg
- (14.03 km) A Postcard View of the Mountains from this screened in porch cabin!
- Restaurants near Charlies Bunion:
- (12.76 km) Buckhorn Inn
- (13.80 km) Red Oak Bistro
- (14.96 km) Tennessee Jed’s
- (14.87 km) Chesapeake's Seafood and Raw Bar
- (12.30 km) Delauder's BBQ