Tour de LeConte

This extreme endurance route starts at Rainbow Falls Trailhead and ends at Porters Creek Trailhead. It covers approximately 48 miles with over 12,250 vertical feet of elevation gain, utilizing all six trails that ascend Mount LeConte in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The route requires three distinct summits and a vehicle transition. Start at the Rainbow Falls Trailhead. Climb 5.9 miles on the Rainbow Falls Trail. At the junction with Bullhead Trail, turn left towards Mount LeConte Lodge to complete the first climb of approximately 4,000 vertical feet. From the lodge, around 6.5 miles, turn left and descend to the north via the Trillium Gap Trail. Upon reaching Trillium Gap at 10.1 miles, turn left to stay on Trillium Gap Trail and head back towards the Rainbow Falls Trailhead area. At 15.2 miles, pass the intersection for Rainbow Falls Trailhead and continue beyond the Old Sugarlands Trailhead to the right. At 15.7 miles, turn left and begin the second ascent on the Bull Head Trail, climbing toward the lodge. Just before reaching the lodge, at 21.9 miles, make a sharp right turn onto the Alum Cave Trail and descend 5.0 miles to the Alum Cave Trailhead on Highway 441. From here, a vehicle shuttle is required to transition to the Newfound Gap parking area at the Appalachian Trailhead. From Newfound Gap, begin the third ascent by hiking north on the Appalachian Trail. At 32.8 miles, continue straight, passing the Sweat Heifer Creek Trail on the right. At 33.9 miles, turn left onto the Boulevard Trail and follow it to the summit of Mount LeConte at 38.8 miles. Upon reaching the lodge around 39.1 miles, descend again via the Trillium Gap Trail until reaching the Brushy Mountain Trail junction at 42.6 miles. Turn right on the Brushy Mountain Trail and continue to the Porter’s Creek Trail intersection at 47 miles. Follow Porter's Creek Trail north down to the trailhead gate to finish.

Visit the NPS website for more information.