Alum Cave Trail
Alum Cave Trail, Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738, USA
Daylight
$$
hikes
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Classic Day Hike in the Smokies
We used this trail to head up for an overnight at Le Conte Lodge, however many day hikers love the classic Smokies trail for the geographic wonders, water features, views, and flora. It will be 4.4 miles up and back if you're headed out to the cave and back for the day. It’s steep (1125 feet) and best used by tweens, teens, and adults – though we did see a few very small kids along the way.
At 1.3 miles you’ll reach Arch Rock, which you actually walk through. Then beyond Arch Rock you will climb to Alum Cave at 2.2 miles, which is not a cave but more of a very large overhang that provides a dramatic backdrop for killer views. Trail heads on up to 6593-foot Mount Le Conte for overnighters.
Driving to the Trailhead: Drive 8.6 miles on Newfound Gap Road from Sugarlands Visitor Center or 20 miles from Oconaluftee Visitor Center. There is a sign and two large parking areas marking the trailhead.
Note: Pets are not allowed