Alum Cave Trail to Mount Le Conte
The shortest but steepest standard ascent to Mount Le Conte and its high-elevation viewpoints.
Route overview
Climb via Alum Cave Bluff to the Mount Le Conte lodge area and return the same way.
Beyond Alum Cave Bluff the trail climbs steeply across exposed, cable-assisted ledges into spruce-fir forest and reaches the Mount Le Conte lodge area. Optional viewpoints such as Cliff Tops add distance and exposure. Lodge services must never be assumed available.
Trail facts
- Country
- United States
- Region
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina
- Distance
- approximately 17.7 km round trip
- Typical duration
- 6–9 hours
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Elevation gain
- approximately 823 m
- Best season
- Late spring through autumn; winter for experienced hikers only
- Trail type
- Out and back
Access and logistics
- Permits and access
- No day-hiking permit; parking tag required
Safety context
Check current official conditions, closures, weather and access rules before departure. Check current official conditions, closures, weather and access rules before departure.
Long climb, lightning, cold, ice, wet ledges, bears and darkness
Highlights
Alum Cave Bluff, high-elevation forest, Mount Le Conte, Cliff Tops option
Why find a buddy
Requires matched pace, exposure tolerance and shared weather and turnaround criteria.
Primary source
Explore and prepare
Discover hikes by intent, read the hiking guides, review hiking safety, prepare a BuddyPack, or browse hiking plans.
Route conditions, access, services and transport can change. Verify time-sensitive information before departure.