Alum Cave Trail

Alum Cave Trail is a Great Smoky Mountains National Park hiking route that climbs from the Newfound Gap Road area to the Alum Cave formations and, if you continue, toward Mount LeConte. It’s a popular “famous hike” that includes multiple stone-step and steeper sections after the early creek-and-forest approach.

The most distinctive early landmark is Arch Rock at about 1.3 miles: the trail goes up a set of stone steps and passes directly through the rock feature. Just beyond Arch Rock the route steadily steepens.

Around the 2-mile mark you reach Inspiration Point, a rocky outcrop used to look over the rugged valley and surrounding peaks. The trail continues past additional short stair segments toward the bluffs.

Alum Cave Bluffs come around the mid-route turnaround point: expect massive, concave cliffs described as about 80 feet tall. The bluffs area also creates a shaded spot near the formations, with the trail pressing on if you’re extending beyond the bluffs.

Past Alum Cave Bluffs the trail gets considerably steeper and continues up toward the Mount LeConte summit; the NPS-described option is to turn around earlier or push on for the longer LeConte connection. For winter hiking, plan for ice and potential falling icicles, and bring traction if conditions are cold.

Trailhead/parking are on Newfound Gap Road (US 441), 6.8 miles south of Sugarlands Visitor Center. A parking tag is required for vehicles parked more than 15 minutes.

More information: Visitor information, Your Guide to Hiking the Alum Cave Trail in Winter, Hiking the Alum Cave Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains