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Alum Cave
Photo: Joe Clay
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Difficulty	Moderate
Distance	4.3 miles (6.9 kilometers)
Time Required	2-3 hours
Trail Use
Trail Type	There-And-Back
Elevation Gain	1155 feet (350 meters)
High Point	4965 feet (1510 meters)
Low Point	3860 feet (1180 meters)
Best Months
Nearest City	Gatlinburg, TN

Overview

The Alum Cave trail, slightly misnamed (Alum "Cave" is more an overhang than a cave), in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a diverse and fun hike showing off much of the park's natural flora.

Directions To Trailhead

Coming from the Sugarland Visitor Center, head south along the Newfound Gap Road (Highway 441). After about 8.5 miles you will come to the Alum Cave turn off and parking lot (the parking lot will be on your left).

Trail Description

From the parking lot, you will start with a gentle ascent. You follow Alum Cave Creek in the beginning section and eventually you will reach Arch Rock (this is about 1.25 miles into the trail). In the early summer, there will be rhododendron everywhere; a beautiful sight.

From Arch Rock (which requires walking over and up), you will travel an additional mile to Inspiration Point. From here you can see Mount Le Conte to the northeast as well as Chimney Tops.

About 2.25 miles into the hike you will reach Alum Cave. The "cave" is really an overhead bluff about 70 feet high and about 500 feet wide.

The final 50 feet up the cave is helped with steps and cables. At the top you will be rewarded with fantastic views. You can continue along this trail to reach the summit of Mount Le Conte.

Conditions And Hazards

This trail is a very popular one, so get there early to get a parking spot.

Bears are active along the trail so please do your part, pack everything out that you pack in and follow proper bear procedures if you spot one.

During winter months icicles will form on Alum Cave - you will need to actually be careful of them falling if you are here when they are starting to melt and fall.

Fees, Permits, And Restrictions

There is no entrance fee for Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Fishing Information:

• You will need a valid fishing license from either North Carolina or Tennessee to fish in the streams and lakes of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
• The daily possession limit is up to 5 of the following in any combination: Brook, Rainbow, or Brown Trout, or Smallmouth Bass. Additionally, you may catch and keep up to 20 Rock Bass.
• The size limits for fish are the following: Brook, Rainbow, or Brown Trout, or Smallmouth Bass must be minimum of 7 inches. Rock Bass have no minimum size.
• Fishing is permitted every day of the year from thirty minutes before sunrise to thirty minutes after sunset.
• You may fish anywhere in the national park with the following exceptions: Bear Creek at the junction with Forney Creek, and Lynn Camp Prong upstream of its confluence with Thunderhead Prong.

Amenities

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Miscellaneous

During the Civil War, the Confederate Army actually mined saltpeter out of the cave to be used for munitions.

Photo Gallery

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Map

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Trailhead (35.6274, -83.4497)

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