Woman Dies After 60-Foot Fall on Popular Smoky Mountains Trail

A 65-year-old woman died Saturday after falling approximately 60 feet from a cliff on the Alum Cave Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, park rangers confirmed Monday. Rangers responded to the scene on March 28 following reports of a fall and attempted to resuscitate her, but were unsuccessful.

The park has not released the woman's name or additional details about what led to the fall.

A Trail Millions Trust, and Underestimate

Alum Cave Trail is one of the most visited hiking routes in America's most visited national park. The 4.6-mile out-and-back route winds past Arch Rock, Inspiration Point, and the dramatic Alum Cave Bluffs before continuing to the summit of Mount LeConte, the third-highest peak in the Smokies at 6,593 feet. It draws casual day hikers and experienced climbers alike, which is precisely what makes it deceptive.

The trail begins gently, following a mountain stream through old-growth forest. But past Arch Rock, the character of the hike changes quickly. The terrain becomes steep, rocky, and exposed. Narrow ridgelines with sheer drop-offs require hikers to grip fixed cables anchored into the rock face. The National Park Service's website explicitly warns that the path becomes "considerably steeper" past Arch Rock and advises hikers to turn back there if they are not prepared for more strenuous conditions.