Alum Cave Bluffs

The most popular route to Mount LeConte

The trail begins at the Grassy patch off the parking area, you then cross the Walker Camp Prong and then the Alum Cave Creek on foot bridges. For the next mile or so the trail parallels the Alum Cave Creek through an old-growth forest. The creek is prone to flash floods during heavy rain, this tends to keep the moss from the rocks in the creek. Other evidence of flooding can be seen along the trail, such os logs and boulders.

After a little more than a mile the trail starts to follow the Styx Branch which is a tributary of Alum Cave Creek. You will cross this branch 3 times before coming to Arch Rock at 1.4 miles. The stone stairs at Arch Rock allows passage through one of the few natural aches in the Great Smoky Mountains. The arch is thought by many to be one of the most interesting geological features of the park.

After Arch Rock you will cross Styx Branch one more time on the way to Inspiration Point at 1.8 miles. Inspiration Point is a good panoramic view on the trail and well worth getting the cameras out.

At 2.3 miles (halfway on this round trip hike) you come to Alum Cave Bluffs. Alum Cave is not an actual cave, but it’s an overhanging rock ledge. The name comes from the mineral deposits coming from the bluff, some very rarely occurring naturally.

The Bluffs are the turn around point for this hike, returning on the same path you hiked in on.

On Newfound Gap Road, drive 4.2 miles north of Newfound Gap or 8.5 miles south of Sugarlands Visitor Center. Parking is on the north side of Newfound Gap Road.