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Alum Cave Trailhead
The trailhead for the hike to Mt. LeConte.
Guide Sections
Use Alum Cave Trailhead's guide sections to understand how this stop fits into the larger park plan.
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Alum Cave Trailhead Details
Difficulty
Low
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
Region
Newfound Gap Road
The trailhead for the hike to the summit of Mt. LeConte is located 8.7 miles from the Sugarlands Visitor Center. The 5.5 mile trail gains 2,763 feet and passes Alum Cave, which isn't actually a cave at all but rather and 80-foot-high concave bluff which was once mined for epsom salts, and saltpeter for gunpowder. For a shorter, less-steep hike, you can turn around at Alum Creek, which is about a 2.5 mile roundtrip that still allows you to see Arch Rock, a natural tunnel caused by erosion.