How hard is the Alum Cave Trail?
About the Alum Cave Bluffs Trail This moderately difficult hike is 4.6 miles round trip or 5.1 miles on to LeConte Lodge. The round-trip to the cave bluffs takes about 3 hours, but you should allow about 4 hours to LeConte Lodge. The Alum Cave trail is the most popular and well-known route to Mount LeConte.
Is Alum Cave Trail scary?
Location. Alum Cave Trail is located directly off of Newfound Gap Road, about 10 miles outside of Gatlinburg TN, and about a mile from the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Frankly, with all the traffic along Newfound Gap Road, walking up it is a bit dangerous, so be careful.
What is the hardest hike in Tennessee?
5 Most Difficult Hiking Trails in the Smokies
- Mt. Sterling via Baxter Creek. Round Trip: 12.2 Miles. Total Elevation Gain: 4200 Ft.
- Rocky Top and Thunderhead. Round Trip: 13.9 Miles. Total Elevation Gain: 3665 Ft.
- Rainbow Falls Trail to Mt Leconte. Round Trip: 13.8 Miles. Total Elevation Gain: 3993 Ft.
How long does it take to hike to Mt LeConte via Alum Cave Trail?
6-9 hours
Allow 6-9 hours for the hike. It’s strenuous, but not technically challenging. Our hike took eight hours since there is so much to stop and enjoy along the way. At the top, we took a nice break at LeConte Lodge, the highest guest lodge in eastern America at 6,360 feet elevation.
Is 500 ft elevation gain a lot?
Hikes rated as “moderate” usually gain 500-800 feet per mile. Moderate hikes usually ascend steadily at an incline that would be difficult for an unconditioned person to comfortably handle. Hikes are up to 8 miles round trip. Moderate hikes are generally on established trails that can be rocky and steep in places.
What is considered a difficult hike?
Hard hikes are usually between 4 and 7 miles (7 miles being the max for a HiB hike). Hikes added to the calendar above the hard level will be deleted; this includes hikes longer than 7 miles or those with a significant elevation gain in 3 miles or more.
What is the easiest trail to Mt LeConte?
Trillium Gap trail
Some people feel that the Trillium Gap trail (6.7 miles) is the easiest trail to the lodge as this is the trail the llamas use to bring supplies three times a week and it is not as steep as the other trails. The Alum Cave trail is the shortest trail to the lodge.
What is the highest point in Tennessee?
Clingmans Dome
At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is the highest point in Tennessee, and the third highest mountain east of the Mississippi.
How long is Clingmans Dome hike?
Clingmans Dome Observation Tower Trail is a 1.2 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Bryson City, North Carolina that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for walking, running, and nature trips and is best used from April until November.
What’s the elevation of the Alum Cave Trail?
The trail gains more than 1,000 feet of elevation before leveling off. Many people make it a point to stop at LeConte Lodge for lunch or a snack break before exploring the summit and returning down the mountain. As with any trail excursion, your experience on the Alum Cave Trail will vary depending on weather.
Is the bluff on the Alum Cave Trail dangerous?
The bluff is the final destination along the trail for many hikers. In winter, massive icicles often form and crash down onto the trail, making the bluff dangerous; in other seasons, the bluff forms a shelter from the frequent rainstorms in these mountains.
Where are the restrooms on the Alum Cave Trail?
Take advantage of the public restrooms located at the trailhead parking lots. To the far right of the restrooms, you will find the trailhead marked by a sign indicating the distance to each major landmark along the way. From the parking area, it is just 1.4 miles to Arch Rock and 2.3 miles to Alum Cave Bluffs.
Is the trip to Alum Cave worth it?
The trip to Alum Cave is moderate. the view and the accomplishment you feel by getting there is worth the trip. At the beginning you will be walking next to the river and the sound of the water makes it a peaceful trip. Once you start climbing to Mt. Le Comte the trip gets difficult.
