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.