mount leconte

This is an absolutely beautiful hike for the moderate to serious hiker. Make sure you leave early & plan a day hike. Take a sack lunch, take your time & enjoy the beauty of the mountains! The views along the way & especially from the top are second to none

We went up the Alum Cave Bluff trail and the views along the way were amazing almost the whole way up - definitely from Inspiration Point on up. From Alum Cave Bluffs, it does get much harder, and steeper. It is rare to find a section that doesn't require some huffing and puffing. I would rate it a strenuous hike, but it is so rewarding! I will do it again soon!

I love the smoky mountains, there are so many great hikes for all different levels, but Mt Leconte in my opinion is the best. I've hiked it in every season, and it is a different hike in every season so I don't recommend doing that. If you go by the way of the alum Bluff Trail head, it's 9 miles round-trip. The first mile is flat and easy, Then it starts to go up but at a nice gradual pace. Most people can do this hike, I'm an advance hiker and I was able to go up and down 3 1/2 hours without a break once. This time, I went up with my girlfriend and it took us seven hours round-trip.This hike has everything you would want in a hike. At the bottom, you have a lush green vegetation right along a beautiful river with multiple bridge crossings. Then you have the cool steps going up through the rock. Then you have the awesome Bluffs. Then you start going up higher and you have great views, the trees and vegetation starts to change the higher you go. There are places you have to hold onto chains drilled into the mountain for safety. And of course, Once you make it to the top, the views are spectacular and worth every minute of the hike. I hope to stay in one of the cabins at the top one day, but they sell out so quickly.

The views are amazing! I highly recommend the trail. We hiked during the first week of December. The trail is well maintained. There was some ice and snow melt near the top, but it was still passable. I imagine if there was any more snow you'd want crampons for your shoes. This is an 11.5 mile out and back from the Alum trailhead. The trail is rated as "difficult," but it isn't too challenging. I felt like there was a good mixture of incline and flat, level trail. The trip downhill was actually more challenging the uphill. Be very careful and allow yourself all day to make the trek if you have bad knees or aren't comfortable with trail hiking.

My wife and I are locals (25 miles away), and have experienced most of the Smoky Mtns numerous hiking trails, and waterfalls over the yrs. But, none of them can quite match the views, and reward that one gets after the 5+ mile trek through Alum Cave, to the Lodge at the top of Mt LeConte (11 miles rd trip). There is water running along the trail about the 1st mile or so, and then the trail takes a steep incline thru a unique cliff overhang. At this point the trail gets more challenging. Before reaching Alum cave, at Inspiration Pt, if one looks at the ridge across from the trail, it is possible to see the Falcons that nest high on the hillside near the "eye of the needle". It's also a nice rocky area, to take a short break, and take in some views. Alum cave comes 10 mins later, and is a little less than 1/2 way to the Lodge. If you're not an avid hiker, you'll be satisfied to turn back, as most do, and be fulfilled with this 5 mile round tripper.. However, if you are a little venturous, then push on for the next 2.7 miles to the top. Along the way are some of the most breathtaking views in the Smokies. This portion of the hike has several stretches lined with cable to assist you on the rugged cliffside. At the top you'll find LeConte Lodge. It's worth taking an hr or so to relax and take in the experience at the top; and to rest your legs. They offer a sack lunch for $10, and drinks with refills for $3. And, yes, they do have bathrooms. The whole round trip takes 7-9 hrs depending on your pace. I recommend starting as early as possible, to not only get back before dark, but to enjoy the early views. The clouds tend to roll in as the day gets longer. Pack plenty of water, snacks, a light source, good hiking shoes or boots, and a rain shell. The weather comes in quick and can change from sun to rain to snow and back at any time. We had clear skies going up, but got poured on with snow on the way down. It was awesome!! In conclusion, though a little challenging, this is the best hike in the entire park. If you haven't hiked it, we highly recommend it... Enjoy

We want to hike up to the lodge but have not. We love to look at the mountain from our cabin or from the tram. One day we will but for now it's a wonderful place to see.

Hiked up to the lodge at Mt. LeConte. If you are not in good shape, don't try it. It is a 5.5 mile hike in if you take Alum Cave trail. Views are nothing short of SPECTACULAR. If you are up for the hike, its a bucket lister. Get your reservation now for the lodge they stay full a year out! If you can handle the day hike in and out, lots of people do it too but I need the break!!! I imagine it an easier hike without the 20lb pack that I was carrying.

Worthwhile, wonderful hike! My sister, my husband and I hiked up the Trillion Trail with five other family and friends! I am not a big hiker but in okay shape so made it safely to the top. Three of us were in our sixties and the rest of our group in their early thirties. Felt like we reached Shangri La when we saw the cabins! The pot roast served at dinner was the best ever! Dinner and breakfast the following morning were delicious and filling. Weather was perfect and the sunset spectacular! The staff was helpful too. Saw the llamas on the trail plus a bear was caught in the humane bear trap close to the kitchen. Great trip!

Me and a friend just went at peak time for the fall foliage and it was amazing. The hike up to mount Leconte wasn't to intense but still gives you a run for your money. If you decide you want to hike this trail make sure you plan for an all day event and bring plenty if water and food for energy. This would be a great way to spend some time with nature and most of all friends and family.

Excellent well worth the trip. The staff made the trip well worth the effort. But not for the weak of heart make sure you are in shape for the hike up. I wasn't but made it in more time then I want to admit. Took Trillium Trail same way the Llamas go, long way to go but after the Grotto Falls I was more or less by myself till I ran into the Llama Train. Came down Alum Cave Trail, shorter but not sure if I could have made it up that trail, lots of people going up as I was going down. Can't say enough about this positive experience. Stayed two nights loved every bit of it. Went to bed at 40 degrees woke up at 28 degrees and had ice on the pines Can't wait till I can return.

My boyfriend and I hiked up on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 and back down the following day, both ways on Alum Cave Trail. We stayed overnight at LeConte Lodge at the top, and left our car at the Alum Cave trail head overnight. It took about 3 hours to get to the top. In jeans and sweatshirts, we felt under-dressed by comparison - it seemed everyone we passed was outfitted in gators and tech clothing - but really didn't have a problem. The rain held out until we got to the top, while we at the Myrtle Point lookout. With some of the leaves changing colors, it was gorgeous. Because of all the recent rain, we only smelled bears once and didn't actually see any at all. The rain kept the boomers away as well, sadly, and I only saw one of them the entire trip. The Alum Cave hike has some tricky parts, but as long as your careful it is fine for people in average athletic condition. It rained on us for ALL of the hike down, and then I was wishing for some of the tech clothing we'd seen on other hikers (cotton in the rain is not so great), but we survived without catching a cold. Because of the rain, it took 3 1/2 hours to get down Alum Cave Trail. But it was all worth it, rain and all.

we did not stay overnight at the lodge, but the facilities of day hikers were great. The workers were very nice and the place was very clean and kept up. we loved it!

Our main objective for visiting the GSNP was to hike Mt LeConte...it didn't disappoint. We started hiking around 9am & made some serious progress & wound up at the Mt LeConte Lodge around 12:30pm. What a treat. Even though the llamas that pack in the food for the Lodge were only scheduled for M-W-F, we got lucky & they were there to deliver some needed linens...we got to spend time with the llamas (I even got to help feed them) & had a meal at the Lodge, spent some time with the folks there & then hiked back down...wound up completing our trip at around 4:30 pm. Totally amazed at the experience & can't wait to do it again!

I took the Alum Cave trail, 5.8 miles UP,UP,UP. This is not for your average day walker. It requires you dress appropriate, good shoes/boots that are broken in. I suggest hiking poles, and plenty of water. Once you reach the lodge it's incredible. They offer a sack lunch for purchase and you can refill your water. If you are lucky enough to have reserved a cabin almost a year in advance, the sunset and sunrise are amazing. (baring good weather) the weather can change in minutes. it was pouring at dinner and cleared to have an incredible sunset. Accomadations can be expensive by some standards since you don't have running water or electricity. You get queen bunk beds, a lantern, a propane heater and some warm blankets, a bucket for warm or cold water to wash up with. And yet it was worth every penny and step. OH, and if you do get a cabin you get a key to flush toilet's. If you're a day hiker, up and back you get the outhouse. If your a day hiker start early, allow 4 hrs each way, probably a little less down, but not much. This is as much a mental hike as physical.

We took the Trillium Gap Trail on a Friday morning/ afternoon in May! Beautiful hike! We lingered at the Grotto Falls and it started to get more crowded while we were there. It seemed like a lot of people turn back here though, so most of the remainder of the way up to the lodge we had the trail to ourselves. We passed a few people coming down from the lodge. You definitely need to get started early if you plan to return the same day. We stayed up at the lodge for a night so we were able to take our time and enjoy some packed sandwiches and rest breaks on the way up. You will definitely want some snacks and plenty of water. A few in our group hiked non-stop and made it in 2 1/2- 3 hours. We hiked pretty steadily with breaks and it took about 4 1/2 hours. The slowest in our group (bad knees) made it in about 5 1/2- 6hrs. Everyone enjoyed it!