Hiking Alum Cave Trail To Mount LeConte With Kids

Hiking Alum Cave Trail With The Family

We believe Alum Cave Trail may be the best hike in the Smokies. It has so many unique features, a creek with bridge crossings, and the grand Alum Cave (which isn’t technically a “cave.”

You can choose to hike just to Alum Cave (2.3 miles, 1100 ft elevation gain from the trailhead), have a snack, take some cool pictures, and turn around there. This is a popular choice for lots of folk, and one that we do most often.

Or, you can continue on the Alum Cave Trail to the top of Mount LeConte (5.5 miles, 2700 ft elevation gain from the trailhead) for some of the best views in the national park on a clear day.

It’s definitely not for every kid or every family, but it is not as bad as its mileage or elevation gain might suggest. If you’re trying to decide, this post is for you.

If you think you are ready to tackle the entire Alum Cave Trail all the way up to the summit of Mount LeConte, then read our tips below to make sure you are prepared and go for it. This is a strenuous hike, but we have hiked it with our kids.

On this iconic trail, you’ll encounter a cool “cave” (really Alum Cave is a giant bluff but still awesome), a tunnel, and fantastic views along the hike up, which is a rarity in the Smokies because most trails are so densely forested. And the vistas from the the top of Mt Leconte are spectacular!

Regardless of whether you decide to hike all the way to the tippy top of Mount LecConte or just do part of the trail, take your time, have the right shoes, bring plenty of water, and above all, snacks/candy to dole out every mile, and Alum Cave Trail could be your family’s favorite memory from the Smokies.

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A person with a backpack stands on a rocky, narrow trail, overlooking a vast landscape of green rolling mountains under a clear blue sky. A tall tree is nearby, adding to the scenic view from the trail's edge. — Hiking Alum Cave up to Mt. LeConte offers some fantastic views of the Smokies

Here’s everything you need to know!

People walk under a large rock formation with a rugged overhang. The scene is surrounded by lush green trees, and the sky is clear. The group appears to be on a hiking trail in a natural setting. — Alum Cave isn’t really a cave but the kids won’t care. It is still pretty cool.

Can You Hike Alum Cave Trail With Kids?

Absolutely. This is a fun trail with lots to see and kids enjoy it. You don’t have to hike the whole trail all the way up Mount LeConte if your kids are young or are not experienced hikers.

Just hike half of the trail, turning around once you reach Alum Cave where you can have a memorable picnic, perhaps splash around in Alum Cave Creek near the trailhead, and it will be a fantastic day out.

If your family has beginner hikers, plan on only doing half of the trail and turn around when you reach Alum Cave. This is a decently long hike with some climbing and the kids will still feel a sense of accomplishment when they reach the cave.

To reach the summit, your kids should have a little bit of hiking history as I would not make hiking all the way to Mount LeConte their first experience. This is an all day 11 mile hike with an elevation gain of 2700′. You need to plan on 5-8 hours.

Beyond Alum Cave itself, the rest of the trail up to LeConte is steep with a seeming never-ending supply of stairs, and at certain points, it has sheer drop-offs on one side of the trail that would necessitate holding smaller children’s hands.

The drop-offs aren’t terrible as I have a very well-developed fear of heights and it doesn’t bother me too much. But it would give me pause with younger kids, kids that don’t have much hiking experience, or if it was rainy or slick.

As far as age, I would say age 9-10 is a good rule of thumb baseline if you are planning for a push all the way to the summit.

For little kids, the hardest part is not always making it to the top but making it back down again. Their legs are tired, their feet are hurting and they run out of energy by the time you are 4-5 hours in which is usually when you are headed back down.

And the down on this trail isn’t a breeze because of all the stairs. Tired legs make it much more likely you will trip somewhere and take a tumble. (Been there, done that, bruises to show for it.)

It is the innumerable stairs on the way up that seem to get older kids (and adults). Maybe because we are always carrying far more stuff in our backpacks, we aren’t able to zip right up on this trail like all the younger kids do in their best mountain goat impressions.

Last time I hiked all the way up to Mount LeConte on Alum Cave Trail, it was with twin 11 year olds, a 13 year old, and a 15 year old. Everyone did fine, although certainly tired by the time we got back to the car 7.5 hours later.

We ended up hiking about 12 miles with all of our walking around on top of LeConte (11 miles from trailhead up to the summit at High Top and an extra mile walking to the different view points, Myrtle Point and Cliff Top).

It took us 3 hours to get up and about 2.5 hours to get down. We spent 2 hours walking around exploring the different parts of the summit of LeConte and having lunch.

Taking Alum Cave all the way to the top of Mount LeConte is a fabulous hike if you are up for it and is doable for kids with the right kind of motivation (we prefer Skittles, handed out at 30 minute intervals).

Two hikers ascend a stone staircase in a dense forest. Tall trees surround the path, and sunlight filters through the leaves, creating a serene natural atmosphere. The trail follows a rocky cliff on one side. — This trail is not lacking in stairs. My quads were sore the next day.

Hiking To Mount LeConte- Alum Cave Is The Shortest Route

Mount LeConte is the third highest peak in the Smokies at 6593 ft. There are 5 trails that reach the summit- Rainbow Falls, Bull Head, Trillium Gap, Boulevard, and Alum Cave.

Alum Cave is the most popular trail of those 5 trails to the top of Mount LeConte, due to it shorter length and spectacular scenery.

It is called Alum Cave because just under halfway to the summit, the trail goes under a humongous bluff that overhangs enough to be sort of cave-like.

Map of Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg, showing Mount LeConte and Alum Cave Trail. Includes elevation markers and major roads, such as Newfound Gap Road. — Map courtesy of NPS with my own highlights. The true summit of LeConte is called High Top.

Best Time To Hike To Mount LeConte!

The top of Mount LeConte is often cloud covered, so don’t count on having a spectacular view. And on hot summer afternoons, the haze can be pretty bad too.

Spring and fall or early in the day are your best bets for clear pictures.

And check the detailed weather forecast specifically for the summit as it can be different than the valley below.

Also, be aware that winter brings unique hazards with icy rocks and snow on the trail.

LeConte Lodge has a link to a specific summit forecast on their website.

Getting To The Alum Cave Trailhead

The trailhead for Alum Cave Trail is on Newfound Gap Road (aka US 441). Drive 8.6 miles from Sugarlands Visitor Center on the TN side of the Smokies (near Gatlinburg, TN) or 20 miles from the Oconaluftee Visitor Center on the NC side (near Cherokee, NC).

Alum Cave Trailhead Parking

There are two parking areas at the trailhead with a decent amount of spaces and the lower parking area has vault toilets.

If the parking lots are full, people will start parking along the road. The park rangers will mostly ignore this as long as all 4 of your wheels are at least a couple of inches from the road.

Keep in mind that oversized trucks hauling bigger-than-some-apartments campers travel this road so pull your mirrors in and park as far off the road as you can.

From the parking area, it is a short walk to the trailhead. Look for the sign next to a wooden bridge that marks the start of Alum Cave trail. You won’t miss it.

*DON’T FORGET YOUR PARKING PASS!* As of March 2023, you will need a parking pass to park anywhere in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for more than 15 minutes. Parking passes can be bought online, at all Visitor Centers, and at a few other places, like the Townsend Visitor Center.

Alum Cave Trail Description

From the trailhead, you start on a pretty steady incline through a pretty forest (this hike averages a little over 500 ft per mile elevation gain).

The trail follows along scenic Alum Cave Creek with several spots suitable for picnics and places for kids to splash around in the water. You could always hike to Alum Cave and then come back here for an afternoon picnic and some fun water time.

There are 4 or 5 single log bridges (hand holding needed here for really small kids) as the trail crosses over Alum Cave Creek.

Arch Rock

At 1.4 miles from trailhead, you come to Arch Rock, a set of stairs carved into the rock face under a natural arch, one of the few rock arches in the Smokies. Definitely a kid-favorite.

Sign at the Alum Cave trailhead
Trail through Arch Rock

Inspiration Point

Not long after Arch Rock, you come to Inspiration Point (2 miles from the trailhead), a spectacular point with nearly 360 degree views of the Smokies.

It has these views because Inspiration Point is a heath bald, meaning there are no trees obstructing the view, only dense mountain laurel and rhododendrons. This is a good place to stop with the kiddos for a breather and enjoy the scenery.

The smaller ridge you see running west-ish from Inspiration Point is Little Duck Hawk Ridge and it has a small rock arch called the Eye of the Needle at the very top of the rockiest part of the ridge.

Supposedly you can see the “eye” better from a little farther up the trail beyond Inspiration Point but I couldn’t find it at all on our last trip, although I really need to update my contact prescription. (Totally going with that and not age causing my deteriorating eyesight.)

Peregrine falcons are also called Duck Hawks, hence the name of the ridge, which is one of only 2 known eyries for peregrine falcons in Tennessee I believe. So keep an eye out for soaring and diving birds. These guys can hit 200 mph when they dive for prey.

Panoramic view of a forested mountain range under a clear blue sky. The dense greenery covers the hills, creating a lush landscape. Sunlight casts shadows, highlighting the textures and contours of the terrain. — View from Inspiration Point. The ridge on the right is Little Duck Hawk Ridge.

A scenic mountain trail winds through lush greenery under a clear, blue sky. Sunlight illuminates the foliage, casting a warm glow on the path. Green hills and forested slopes stretch into the distance. — We were early enough on the trail to catch the sunrise hitting the trail on Inspiration Point. The light was beautiful.

Alum Cave

At 2.2 or 2.3 miles (the park says 2.3, multiple other hikers say 2.2, I forgot to start my Garmin so I don’t know which it was for us), you come to the impressive Alum Cave.

As said before, it is not a cave but a giant overhanging bluff, but the kids will think it is cool regardless. It took us an hour to get here from the trailhead.

There is lots of space to spread out and enjoy the view, but I warn you most of the big rocks will be taken by fellow hikers, leaving you with the choice of standing or sitting on the very dusty ground.

Bring a large poncho or cheap plastic tablecloth to sit on if you plan on having a picnic here.

*Tip– If you are hiking in winter, watch out for falling icicles from the top of the bluff. Some of them are big enough to do real damage.

Alum Cave is so named because it was mined for alum, a common name for aluminum sulfate, which was used by settlers for dyeing and tanning. Saltpeter (potssium nitrate, used to make gunpowder) was mined here as well, especially during the Civil War, but neither mineral deposit was very big or lead to great riches.

A group of hikers explores a wide trail under a large rock overhang. Tall, lush green trees surround the area, and forested mountains are visible in the background under a clear blue sky. — The bluffs that create Alum Cave really are quite tall…..

Trail Description From Alum Cave To Mount Leconte

If you decide to keep going beyond Alum Cave, the views continue being awesome but the trail does get much narrower in sections and there are more sections where you are going to want to hold on to the cable handrails, especially if it is rainy or icy.

A scenic mountain landscape with a hiker taking a photo on a rocky trail. The view includes lush green forests and distant mountain ranges under a clear blue sky. A tall tree frames the right side. — Several spots along the trail are narrow and have cable handrails so hold on to little ones. But the views are spectacular though.

The next section after Alum Cave Trail actually goes slightly downhill for a bit, which is a nice change except you realize you just have to go right back up. It is only about 200 ft that you go down, but it’s annoying because you have to regain it in the next miles. The kids were not fans of this.

There are several spots where there are some fairly sheer dropoffs to one side, so I would hold onto younger children when crossing these parts. Luckily, they are pretty short.

You will know you are getting close to the top of LeConte when the trail levels out somewhat and you are walking through a peaceful evergreen forest.

You will see the mileage for Alum Cave to LeConte listed as 5 miles sometimes, this is because the trail technically ends at the junction with Rainbow Falls Trail.

Most people list the mileage of Alum Cave Trail all the way to LeConte as 5.5 miles because that includes the 0.5 miles on Rainbow Falls you need to hike to get to the actual summit, called High Top.

Alum Cave trail near the top of Mount LeConte
Alum Cave trail (left) and Rainbow Falls trail (right)

Map of the summit of Mount LeConte. with its major points of interest. Map courtesy of NPS with my own additions.

What Is At The Top of Mount LeConte?

Once you reach the top of Mount LeConte take the time to explore the amazing views, check out LeConte Lodge and perhaps catch sight of the llamas!

People relaxing on a mountain summit with a panoramic view of layered blue mountain ranges under a clear sky. Tall trees frame the foreground, adding to the serene and scenic landscape. — Myrtle Point on the top of Mount LeConte is my favorite viewpoint and often less crowded

LeConte Lodge

LeConte Lodge is the only lodge or non-camping option for staying inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The views from its cabins perched right at the top of LeConte are breathtaking. Reservations for this unique experience is a challenge. Read more below.

Llamas!

Several times a week, LeConte Lodge gets supplies delivered via llama pack train coming up Trillium Gap Trail. The llamas usually arrive around noon to the lodge, unload, have some lunch, and then return back down the mountain.

The llamas are pretty friendly and their handlers are used to kids asking a billion questions so unless they are on a tight schedule or your kid is trying to poke a llama in the eye, you can probably get a picture with them.

*The schedule is subject to change based on weather, seasonal needs, llama moods, etc. So could be be any day of the week but generally speaking it’s M, W, F.

Four pack llamas stand outside rustic wooden cabins surrounded by greenery and trees. The llamas are saddled with gear, and the setting suggests a remote or mountainous retreat area. — Lllamas waiting for lunch at LeConte Lodge. Image courtesy of the lodges’s blog High On LeConte.

3 Significant Viewpoints Atop Mt. LeConte

There are 3 main places to check out once you get to the top of Mt. LeConte besides the neat lodge:

High Top– The true summit of Mt. LeConte, but it is remarkably unremarkable
Myrtle Point- The eastern edge of LeConte and my favorite viewpoint
Cliff Top- The western edge of Mt. LeConte and the most popular viewpoint

Rock cairn at High Top marking the highest point on Mount LeConte. No view – just a decent-sized pile of rocks.
The popular view from Cliff Top on top of Mount LeConte. The rock outcropping is also a popular lunch spot.
You follow this narrow ridge out to Myrtle Point.
The trail along Cliff Top is mostly through a heath bald

Staying At LeConte Lodge

If you’re lucky enough to snag a reservation, staying at LeConte Lodge is a one-of -a-kind experience.

LeConte Lodge is the only lodge or non-camping option for staying inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The views from its cabins perched right at the top of LeConte are breathtaking.

Staying in the rustic lodge, followed by a leisurely hike down the next day, is the perfect way to really experience Mount LeConte. And better yet, you get to see the sunsets and sunrises from the Myrtle Point and Cliff Top.

The lodge is open March- Nov.

The lodge has small cabins with double bunks and larger cabins with 2 and 3 bedrooms with more bunks. Dinner and breakfast are provided, not fancy but delicious.

There is no electricity on the mountain so meals are by lamplight. Guests have access to flush bathrooms and linens are provided, but you bring your own hand towel/washcloth.

The price is not nearly as cheap as you might think given the rustic nature of the amenities. But remember all the food supplies and laundry have to be delivered via llama which makes the price more understandable. Adults are $189.50 and kids 4-12 are $103.25 per night which includes dinner, breakfast, and your lodgings.

Getting a reservation is the hardest part about staying at LeConte Lodge, they routinely book up completely as soon as they start taking phone reservations for the next year, usually on Oct 1 (and are booked by the end of day, no joke).

You can submit an email request for your preferred dates Aug -Sept and that works a little better. Do it as soon as they start taking requests, so check the website for dates.

If you don’t get your dates, they will put you on a waiting list but this also is usually filled up in no time flat.

Many people get reservations by checking the twitter feed of the lodge. They will announce cancellations and the first people to contact them, get the reservation.

It requires a little flexibility and a lot of luck, but for people within easy driving distance with a free couple of days coming up, it is worth keeping an eye on the twitter feed.

Other Smokies Blogs You Might Like

Favorite Hikes With Kids In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Our Favorite Hike To The Walker Sisters Cabin

Check out our Smokies page to see all of our favorite places in the park we love so much – best hikes, favorite campgrounds, biking Cades Cove, lodging, and more.

Planning A Family Vacation To The Smokies? See Our Local’s Guide To The Smokies

If you want more info about the Tennessee side of the Smokies and especially about our favorite family-friendly trails, check out our Great Smoky Mountains National Park Guidebook available on Amazon.

It lists recommended lodging options if you are not camping as well as activities and restaurants in nearby Townsend, TN.

We give you a detailed, 5 day itinerary that hits the highlights of the park while missing the crowds and introduces you to the Smokies we know and love as locals.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park with Kids: A Local’s Guide — Buy on Amazon