Visitors love that they can hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park year-round. With that being said, this is your sign to plan a winter hike. Put on your cold weather gear and see the area while it looks like a real-life Winter Wonderland. If you need some trail recommendations, we've got you covered! Here is your guide to hiking the Alum Cave Trail in the winter:
About The Trail
The Alum Cave Trail is short in distance, as it is only 4.4 miles to reach the cave formation. Even so, the trail can be considered challenging because of the elevation gain which is 1,125 feet. Hikers will walk along a creek and through an old-growth forest. Deer and other wildlife spottings are common along this trail too! The Alum Cave Bluffs is one of the trail’s highlights, with several stone steps to reach the top– watch your step since ice can easily form during the colder months! Throughout the cave and bluffs, check out the incredible icicle formations from the water dripping off the rocks and being exposed to the cold air. You will be rewarded with even more beautiful sights if you keep going past Alum Cave, as you can actually walk all the way to the summit of Mount LeConte!
Winter Hiking Attire
When hiking the Alum Cave Trail, make sure to dress very warmly. Wear warm pants and layer your shirts with a heavy winter coat. As for footwear, insulated boots are best. They will provide both traction and warmth. Accessories such as hats, gloves, and scarves are a must as well. They will help you cover up as much as possible to minimize exposure to cold temperatures. Keep in mind that it will be even colder when you reach the top of Alum Cave due to the high elevation, so we recommend bundling up more than you think you need to. After all, it’s always better to take a layer off than not have enough layers in the first place. Check out our complete winter hiking gear list so you know what to pack!
Winter Hiking Tips
Here are some things you should know about hiking the Alum Cave Trail in the winter:
- Start your hike early– Heading out in the morning is best practice as it gets dark earlier during the winter; you don’t want to run out of daylight, and you can take time to admire the sights The route may be less crowded as well.
- Never hike in the dark– No matter what your experience level is, hiking after the sun has set isn’t safe. Not only do the already colder temperature drops significantly but also the markers are not visible.
- Check for closures– Access the most up-to-date seasonal road and trail closures by following the Smokies Road Info page (@SmokiesNPS) on X (Formerly Twitter). If it snows heavily at the top of Alum Cave and ices over, the National Park Service may decide to close the trail until the snow melts.
- Have an alternate hike planned– since snowfall varies and can be unpredictable, especially in the higher elevations, it’s a good idea to have a backup route planned so you can still enjoy your time in the national park, even if you’re unable to hike this particular trail.
Now you know how to have a safe and fun winter hike on the Alum Cave Trail! If you’re looking for more winter hiking trail recommendations, explore our other list of popular hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains during winter.
