Mt. LeConte is situated about 4 miles north of the main Great Smoky Mountain range.  The third highest peak in the National Park at 6,593 feet above sea level, its stands a full mile above Gatlinburg, TN.  As seen from the west along the Little River Road, Mt. LeConte has the steepest and tallest slope in the eastern United States.  One stream from Mt. LeConte, the Roaring Fork, falls a full mile in elevation along its four mile length!

When the movement to establish a national park in the Smokies was in full sway, a tent camp was erected where LeConte Lodge now stands to entertain visiting dignitaries from Washington.  The lodge, still in operation, predates the creation of the park in 1930.

The only way to reach the lodge is by taking hiking trails up and back. There are five trails to the lodge, the shortest and steepest being Alum Cave Trail at 5 1/2 miles, which a hiker in good condition can do in approximately four hours.  None of these trails can be considered a stroll and you occasionally encounter ice and snow as late as May or as early as October.  Alum Cave Trial is located off of 441 (Newfound Gap Rd) on the Tennessee side of the park.  It is 8.6 miles from the Sugarlands Visitor Center and 20 miles from the Oconaluftee Visitor center.  The parking lots for the trail are well marked.

The other trails are Rainbow Falls and Trillium Gap, each 6.7 miles, a hike of about 5 hours; Bullhead at 7.2 miles and about 5 hours; and Boulevard, 8 miles and about 5.5 hours.  Parking is available at the start of each trail. 

Allow ample hiking time so that you can enjoy the opulent and incredibly diverse flora and fauna.  It's as if the height and climate of the mountain has compressed hundreds of miles of geographical scenery into a singe day's hike, providing a rewarding adventure.

A high percentage of the guests who stay at the lodge are people who return time and again to accept the challenge of the hike and bask in the serenity and solitude of majestic Mount Le Conte.  Reservations are required and must be made 1 year in advance.

An occasional hiker's bonus on Trillium Gap Trail Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays can be overtaking a llama pack train carrying fresh supplies to the lodge, weather permitting.  Since the only way in or out is on foot, supplies are delivered that way as well.   The small feet of these creatures cause far less damage to the trails than horse hoofs.