The Alum Cave Trail In East Tennessee Is The Perfect Winter Hike For Stunning Mountain Views
By Meghan Kraft|Updated on January 09, 2024(Originally published January 22, 2021)
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Meghan Kraft
Author
Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is shared by Tennessee and North Carolina, and it remains the most-visited national park in the United States. Conveniently located in the midst of the American southeast and studded with incredible hiking trails, it’s a true dream to experience. It also happens to be one of our favorite places to adventure. If you’re looking for great views and a bit of a challenge, then we’d highly recommend making your way out to the Alum Cave Trail. It’s a difficult cave trail in Tennessee, but wow. The views are UNREAL.
Alum Cave Trail is an 11-mile out-and-back route that takes hikers through the stunning wilderness of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trailhead is located near Gatlinburg, and the trek will take you all the way out to Mount LeConte. If you do make this trek during the winter it should be noted that Gatlinburg in the winter is one of the best places in Tennessee to experience not only the snow but many other winter activities.
These views come at a price, of course. The trail is rated as difficult and features a 3,061-foot elevation gain. Although the trail is most easily used from April until November, it is open throughout the year. From experience, we can confidently say this is one of the best hikes in Tennessee. There are many points of interest along the way from iconic Smoky Mountain bridges to a staircase leading through a cutout rock tunnel, and much more. Once you get to that view you can see the snowy peaks and witness the famous fog rolling in and out of the mountains.
Can you imagine making your way along this icy trail? You'll have to pay attention to where you're stepping, but the experience is truly unreal. During the steepest parts, you will find a chain hooked into the rock of the mountain so you can steady yourself if need be. Watch your footing and you are bound to have a wild adventure.
Dogs are not permitted on the trail, but you can bring as many friends as you can muster. The winter season offers icy, frosted views of the mountains, and come the spring you'll get to wander along a trail studded with wildflower blooms. The beauty of this trail thrives in all seasons and is part of why we think this is one of the best hikes in Tennessee.
Aren't those craggy mountains gorgeous? If you want to really go all the way, you can try to reserve one of the primitive cabins found at the LeConte Lodge. It's the only formal lodging available in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and yes, it's truly rustic! Doesn't it look magical under a fresh coat of snow?
Alum Cave is one of the most photographed spots along the trail. This is truly like a fairytale hike in Tennessee and is one of the most rewarding hikes in the state, with cave views, waterfront meanderings, and expansive bluff views along the way.
Will you be joining in the wintry fun? The trek may be hard, but the views are well worth the effort.
Have you ever been on this fantastic hike before? What are your favorite places along the hike? One of our favorites was Alum Cave itself however, Inspiration Point is a very close second. You can learn more about this hike by visiting the Alum Cave Trail and don’t forget to get the AllTrails app on your phone. It has saved us many wrong turns and is something we always have handy during every hike we take. Happy adventuring! To help get a peek at this trail before you embark on your adventure please check out this Adventuring in the Moment video shot in the summer. It will give you a good idea of what to look for before you experience it yourself.
Continue to explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with another famous hike to Laurel Falls.
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