Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte
The most scenic route to the Smokies' third-highest peak.
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Length
- 11 mi
- Elevation Gain
- 2,763 ft
- Duration
- 6–8
- Best Season
- Apr–Oct
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Not allowed
- Features
- Arch Rock, Alum Cave Bluffs
About the trail
Alum Cave Trail packs more geological interest into 5.5 miles than any other trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. From Newfound Gap Road, it follows Walker Camp Prong, threads through Arch Rock, and climbs to the dry overhang of Alum Cave Bluffs. From there cable handrails assist the climb up Little Duck Hawk Ridge to the broad summit of Mount LeConte (6,593 ft).
Trailhead map & directions
Trailhead: 35.6275, -83.4506Get directions →
Turn-by-turn route
- Park at the Alum Cave Trailhead on Newfound Gap Road (US-441), 8.6 miles south of Sugarlands.
- Cross the log bridge and follow the trail along Alum Cave Creek.
- Climb the stone stairs through Arch Rock at 1.4 miles.
- Reach Alum Cave Bluffs at 2.3 miles — many turn around here.
- Continue 2.7 miles to the LeConte Lodge area and follow signs to High Top.
Parking
Trailhead lot fills by 8 AM on weekends. No shuttle option — early start required.
Tips from the trail
- Cables on the upper trail are slippery when wet; turn back in storms.
- Pre-order a sack lunch from LeConte Lodge if you summit.
- Cell service is unreliable; download offline maps.