Mount LeConte via Alum Cave Trail is a fantastic and classic hike. Mount LeConte, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is the third highest peak in the National Park at 6,593. The mountain is the most visible mountain from Gatlinburg, TN and is the mountain many associate with the Park.
While there are several trails that lead up to the summit and LeConte Lodge, Mount LeConte via Alum Cave Trail is the most popular, and is also a "classic" hike.
Alum Cave Trail has pretty much everything a hiker could want: creeks, bridges, geological features, elevation gains, cliff side sections, incredible views and more! Seriously, Alum Cave trail to LeConte has it all.
Updated: 1/6/2025 - Completely revised with new content, formatting and photos.
Need to Know |
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Location: The Trailhead is located off Highway 441 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, near Newfound Gap Difficulty: Strenuous Distance: 11 miles round-trip |
Accessible: No |
Dog-friendly: No, the GSMNP does not allow dogs on trails. |
Features: Creeks, bridges, dense woods, high elevation scenic views, geological features |
Directions: From the Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, TN drive 8.7 miles south along Newfound Gap Road to the Alum Cave Trailhead parking area on your left. Alum Cave Trail is very popular, and there are two parking areas which fill up quickly. |
Please note that a Great Smoky Mountains National Park Parking Pass is required. |
Mount LeConte via Alum Cave Trail
The Alum Cave trailhead begins in the center of two parking lots, located directly off Highway 441 through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You immediately cross two brides, one over Walker Camp Prong, and the other over Alum Cave Creek. Both are gorgeous and make for a great start, to an amazing hike.
The trail has two main sections. From the trailhead, the initial 2.5 miles of the trail are moderate and lead to Alum Cave, which contains an old Alum mine. The trail starts by following along Alum Cave Creek for a while and remains mostly flat. The trail then begins a slow and steady climb up to Alum Cave.
In this portion of the trail you'll see beautiful dense forest, many small waterfalls, and get to climb up through a small cave, one of my favorite parts of this hike. You'll then climb into a more rocky area that offers some tremendous high altitude views. Shortly after, you'll reach Alum Cave itself.
You can read more about this portion of the trail, and see lots of photos in our Alum Cave Trail Guide.
We've hiked this portion of the trail many times, and it's wonderful.
The second part of the trail continues from the top of the Alum mine and climbs up to the top of Mount LeConte. The Mount LeConte via Alum Cave Trail portion is 2.7 miles long and strenuous. You'll want to make sure you have plenty of water if you decide to continue. This portion of the trail is not for the faint of heart and is some of the most difficult miles we've ever done hiking.
As you begin this portion of the hike from Alum Cave, you'll immediately notice the trail begins with a more aggressive climb up the side of the mountain.
As you round the mountain's side, to your left you'll see Mount LeConte, and the peak at the top you'll be climbing too. You can see this view in the photo to the right - Yes, you'll be climbing almost to the top. Clifftops is the area almost in the center of the photo, near the top. The trail runs to the top just below there.
As you climb up, the views to your left, and even to the right, are often stunning. This portion offered our first view of the charred Chimney Tops, which were burned very badly during the Gatlinburg Fires.
The trail will continue to wind its way along the side of the mountain, and along ridges as it twists and turns, making its way up to the top of LeConte.
The trail is amazing, and the recent improvements to widen the trail and make it a more pleasurable hike were a big success. We met many people along the way, praising the changes. In some of the more steep and slick areas, there are now stairs, and quite a few of them in some places.
If you're afraid of heights, just a heads up that a good portion of these sections of the trail is along cliff sides, where the trail narrows to 4-5 feet, and you have a rock wall to your right, and a drop off to your left. I'm afraid of heights, and while these did make my heart race a bit, I found I could cross them. The Park service has installed cables along these sections of the trail to hang on to, and I definitely used them.
The cliff and rocky areas of the trail are often wet, especially in the spring, because of water coming out of the rock. So hold on to the cables and watch your step.


After a while, we reached a point where we knew we were close to the top, or at least hoped we were, and took some photos and a break. This location was actually below Clifftops, which we'll discuss in more detail below.
Sure enough, we continued our climb, and just around the corner the trail leveled off and went through a forest full of moss color rocks, and Frasier fur trees (see photo to the right). This portion of the trail, to LeConte Lodge, is gorgeous, and smells wonderful!
We soon passed the intersection of Rainbow Falls Trail, and continued hiking where we saw LeConte Lodge finally on the left. At the intersection, Alum Cave Trail merges with Rainbow Falls Trail to the Lodge.
LeConte Lodge
LeConte Lodge is the highest guest lodge in the eastern United States. The Lodge is located on a grassy slope, just below the summit of LeConte, and faces Eastern Tennessee, where you can see Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Elevation is 6,400 feet, at the Lodge itself.
The Lodge is rustic, with buildings constructed of rough-hewn logs. They do not have the amenities we associate with modern life. Heat is provided by propane and lighting by kerosene lanterns.
The lodge features multiple cabins that can be rented for one or more nights, along with restroom facilities, a dining hall, and an office. The office has lots of rocking chairs, both inside and on the porch. It also has books, board games, and a number of guitars you can use.
Reservations at LeConte Lodge can be tough to get, and the Lodge is often booked out a year or more in advance. Breakfast and dinner are included in the nightly price, and a hearty meal is served in the dining hall for guests.
Their website has more detail on reservations and accommodations.
Day Hikers can purchase a bag lunch in the dining hall between 12 and 4pm. The lunch consists of a bagel, cream cheese, summer sausage, cookies, a fruit snack, gatorade powder, trail mix, and drink (lemonade, water, hot chocolate and coffee) - all for $11. Credit and debit cards are accepted, although, the old fashion way using imprint machines, which I hadn't seen for years!
We purchased three of the lunches, and headed to a picnic table to relax, enjoy the sights and sounds, and eat.
Then we saw the Llamas ...
LeConte Lodge Llamas
Given the only way to access LeConte Lodge is via one of five hiking trails, supplies for the lodge must be hiked in or brought in via helicopter. Using a helicopter is expensive and dangerous because of frequent high winds at the lodge. The Llamas provide most of the transportation.
The Llamas use the Trillium Gap trail, and they make the trip up and back on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. They arrive at the trailhead between 6:00 and 6:30 am and are usually on the trail between 7:30 and 8:00 am.
The Llamas can make the hike up in about 4 hours. They have lunch, rest a little, and return to the parking lot around 6:00 pm.
They were really neat, with so much personality!




Summit of Mount LeConte
Reaching the summit of Mount LeConte requires another half-mile hike, past LeConte Lodge. You'll pass by the intersection of Trillium Gap trail to your left, and then a short distance beyond is the place called High Top, the summit of Mount LeConte. At this point, you are actually on the trail called "The Boulevard".
You'll know you're in the right spot when you see a large rock cairn in the woods to your right and off the trail. Unfortunately, there is no scenic view here, but you have the satisfaction of making it to the top!
Myrtle Point at Mount LeConte
On past the summit another .4 miles, a trail will head to the right off the main Boulevard trail, called Myrtle Point Trail. This trail will take you to Myrtle Point. Myrtle Point provides a nearly 360-degree view from the top of Mount LeConte.
This location is famous for being the best sunrise location on the mountain. This is a VERY popular photography destination.
Clifftops at Mount LeConte
After eating lunch, we made the 0.2 mile hike from the lodge up to an area called Clifftops, which we were told was gorgeous. Clifftops didn't disappoint at all.
The trail up to Clifftops is located almost directly across from the main Lodge entry pathway. You'll have to climb some rocks on a somewhat steep trail, the view is well worth it. The views are incredible!
Clifftops is the best location for sunsets.
We spent a good 20 - 30 minutes here, before deciding it was time to head back down Alum Cave Trail in order to reach the car before dark.
On the way down, we stopped off at the LeConte Lodge Office, and bought t-shirts that say "We hiked it!", with the year.
These shirts are available in a few different colors, styles and sizes, and are ONLY available at the Lodge Office. So you can wear this as proof and with pride that you hiked to the lodge. Cash and credit cards accepted (no American Express).
We have 3 t-shirts now and hope to get many more.
Final Thoughts
Reaching the summit of Mount LeConte via the Alum Cave Trail is more than just a hike—it’s an unforgettable journey through the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains.
The hike delivers breathtaking views, unique geological features, and the unique experience of visiting the lodge and summit at the top of the mountain. The trail truly showcases the very best of what the Smokies offer.
As you make your way back down, take a moment to reflect on the incredible landscapes you’ve traversed and the sense of accomplishment that comes with completing one of the most iconic hikes in the park. Whether it’s your first time on the trail or you’re a seasoned LeConte hiker, this experience is bound to leave you with memories and a deeper appreciation of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Happy hiking, and we'll see you on the trail!