Hike To This Massive Cave In Tennessee For An Out-Of-This World Experience
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Meghan Kraft
Author
Hiking through the Great Smoky Mountains has long been considered a bucket list item for many an outdoorsman. It’s where you’ll ogle at old growth forests and feel a shiver of awe at the open mouths of caves, gaping at the open sky. Alum Cave has long been known as one of the most beautiful caves in the state, but it’s also where you’ll find an astonishing view at Tennessee’s natural underbelly.
If you're looking to hike to Alum Cave in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, then you'll need to initially make your way to the Alum Cave Trailhead located on Newfound Gap Road. It's a popular trail with plenty of parking, so you can utilize one of the two lots for your car. Make sure you arrive early during peak season!
The trail itself is 4.4 miles round trip, with a total elevation gain of 1,125 feet. Most folks consider the trek moderately difficult, so make sure you come ready for a workout.
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Alum Cave is roughly two miles from the trailhead, and has gained extensive popularity for its incredible expanse and natural beauty.
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The cave itself is a concave bluff torn out of the stony mountainside that is roughly 80 feet high and 500 feet in length. During the winter large icicles will form from the peak of the cave, so make sure you're careful and aware of your surroundings.
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Interesting fact: the Epsom Salts Manufacturing Company was established at the famed Alum Cave in 1838. During the Civil War, Confederate troops even began to mine saltpeter from the cave which was eventually used in the manufacturing of gunpowder.
The cave is beautiful but so is the hike itself. The trail has recently been improved for hiker safety, and cable handrail systems are available for public use at certain points along the way.
Have you ever made your way to Alum Cave? Do you have any tips or tricks you'd like to leave in the comment section? Let us know what you think!
Alum Cave Trail is only 12 miles outside of Gatlinburg and is a well-trafficked trail that you can trek any time of year. Happy adventuring, Tennessee!
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Alum Cave Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA