Alum Cave Trail is a 4.6 mi trail with 1,125 ft of climbing — about 2h 5m of moving time before you stop for anything. Dogs are not allowed, and we rate it comfortable from age 9. About 60% of it is shaded, and no refill point is recorded on the route.
Underfoot & overhead bluffs
4.6 mi and 1,125 ft of climbing work out to 2h 5m of moving time — before you stop for anything. No refill is recorded on the route — you carry all of it. Informational only, not medical advice.
Get the fall refuel plan →NAISMITH · CDC · ACSM · how these numbers are worked out
In July, Great Smoky Mountains National Park runs around 87°F at the main visitor elevation. With no refill recorded on the route, everything you drink starts in your pack.
80°F · Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms · wind 0 to 10 mph
NOAA forecast for Great Smoky Mountains National Park — not for this trailhead specificallyThe park will conduct single-lane closures and shoulder closures on the Gatlinburg Spur from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. September 14-17. The single-lane closures will be between the southbound section of the Gatlinburg Welcome...
Live NPS alert for Great Smoky Mountains National Park · sourceFrom September 8-17, the scenic pullout north of the Carlos Campbell Overlook on US441/Newfound Gap Road will be closed so that the national park can complete drillwork. The road will not be closed, but please use...
Live NPS alert for Great Smoky Mountains National ParkAbout 2h 5m of moving time for 4.6 mi and 1,125 ft of climbing — that is Naismith's planning rule, so it counts walking only, with nothing for photos, lunch or the queue at the top.
Planning figures for that much moving time are 1.0–2.1 L, cool day to hot. No refill point is recorded on the route, so you carry all of it. Informational only, not medical advice.
No — Alum Cave Trail is closed to dogs. Our Great Smoky Mountains National Park dog guide lists the trails where they are welcome, plus boarding and the nearest 24/7 vet.
We rate it comfortable from age 9. It is not a stroller route. That rating is our own hand-check of length, footing and exposure, not an official NPS grade.
About 60% of the route is shaded, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park peaks around 87°F in its hottest month. The less shade a route has, the more of it you want behind you before midday.
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