Alum Cave (Great Smoky Mountains): Moderate to Strenuous (N 35.6288, W -83.4508): Tennessee’s LeConte Lodge is the East’s highest overnight hostel and a stay is great fun. Many people take this shortest trail to the hut, but there’s a great view half way up and much to see if you never make the summit. Many impressive log bridges cross streams on the lower part of this trail. Cross a bridge and climb steep steps through a rocky portal at Arch Rock (1.4 miles). Overhanging Alum Cave Bluffs towers above at 2.3 miles. Return from here for a 4.6 mile hike.
Directions: The Alum Cave parking is on the east side of Newfound Gap Rd 8.8 miles south from Sugarlands Visitor Center and 4.4 miles north of Newfound Gap. (Click Here For Google Maps Directions)
