Hikes in Arizona

The Vultee Arch Trail is a 5.8 km hike in the Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness that is rated as moderate. This hike is fairly relaxed with only a bit of elevation gain to consider. It leads you to a sandstone arch amidst the trees and red earth that make this region so unique. Expect moderate-heavy traffic on this trail.

The Chimney Rock Pass Loop is a 2.7 km hike that takes you all the way around Chimney Rock above northwest Sedona. It’s a fast little hike with just enough incline to get your heart rate up. This is a very scenic trail and is great to pair with other trails in the area. Expect heavy traffic on this route- arriving early is recommended.

Chicken Point via Broken Arrow Loop is a moderate hike with lots to see: East Twin Butte, West Twin Butte, Gibraltar Rock, Lee Mountain, and more! This route takes you right in between interesting formations and buttes and then out to the Chicken Point viewpoint. Expect moderate traffic on this hike.

The Cibola Pasa and Jordan Trail Loop is a 3.2 km hike favoured by families for its pleasant scenery and laid-back difficulty level. The trail can be easily extended using connecting routes, you can use it to reach the Seven Sacred Pools, or you can do it as a standalone adventure. With a good amount of shade, it’s a nice pick on warmer days. Expect moderate traffic on this route.

Is it your morning cup or your new favorite hike? The trip to Coffeepot Rock on Teacup Trail is a relaxed, easy hike that sees moderate traffic. The scenery is lovely, and this trail can easily be combined with a trip to the Sugarloaf summit if you want another vantage point. This trail is suitable for all skill levels.

If the plentiful easy and moderate trails in Sedona aren’t giving you the challenge you want, add Wilson Mountain to your list. This is the tallest mountain in Sedona, so the 18.5 km hike to the top is about as intense as it gets in this part of Arizona. The view is breathtaking and there aren’t any significant technical challenges involved. Expect heavy traffic on this hard trail.

If the plentiful easy and moderate trails in Sedona aren’t giving you the challenge you want, add Wilson Mountain to your list. This is the tallest mountain in Sedona, so the 15.3 km hike to the top is about as intense as it gets in this part of Arizona. This route follows the North Wilson Trail from the Encinoso Picnic Area, which is different from the traditional Wilson Mountain Trail but a bit shorter. The view is incredible and there aren’t any significant technical challenges involved. Expect heavy traffic on this hard trail.

The Submarine Rock and Devil’s Dining Room hike makes use of the network of trails that depart from the Morgan Road trailhead to show you two of Sedona’s interesting natural features. This 4.5 km hike is rated as easy and is suitable for all skill levels, though you may want to download an offline map to help you navigate this area. Expect heavy traffic on this route.

Loy Canyon Trail is a 15.8 km hike near Sedona that sees light-moderate traffic. The hike is an adventurous one, with some routefinding, sand hiking, and a bit of bushwhacking involved. While it’s not easy going, it’s a nice break from the crowds that descend on Sedona’s other trails. Bring a downloaded GPS track and lots of water for this hard hike.

The Slim Shady and Made in the Shade Loop makes use of two fun trails to make an easy, family-friendly 3.7 km hike. This route is next to Bell Rock and some of Sedona’s impressive buttes, so the scenery is sure to please. You can also opt to extend this hike using the network of trails in the area. Expect moderate traffic on this route.

Deadman’s Pass Trail is a scenic, easy 4.2 km hike in Sedona. This trail can be enjoyed on its own for its views of Mescal Mountain and Maroon Mountain or it can be used to link Long Canyon Trail and Mescal Trail. It’s quite straightforward and easy to navigate and the traffic tends to be moderate.

The Midgley Bridge hike is an easy trip that takes you along Oak Creek to a viewpoint where you can check out the bridge and explore it. The hike is 1.9 km long and very easy, so this is a great pick for families and beginners. The hike starts near a picnic area, so pack some snacks to enjoy after your hike. Expect moderate traffic on this route.

Long Canyon Trail is an easy, mostly flat hike for most of the way, with a bit more effort required to reach the Indian ruins at the end of the route. It’s fascinating to see a slice of Indigenous history on this trail, and the scenery on the way there is splendid. You’ll hike from the Grassy Knolls and Mescal Mountain up beside Maroon Mountain. Expect heavy traffic on this hike, making an early start a good idea if possible.

Boynton Canyon Trail explores one of the most beautiful box canyons in Red Rock Country. Most of this trail is easy, but towards the ridge, you’ll need to navigate some scramble sections with rope and do some bushwhacking. We don’t recommend this trail for beginners, but they should be able to enjoy the lower sections of this trail without incident. Make sure you bring lots of water for this hike, especially if you’re hiking in hot weather. This is a very convenient trail to enjoy if you’re staying at the Enchantment Resort.

The Huckaby Trail is a 9.2 km out and back trail that follows the course of Oak Creek in Sedona. This trail is easy enough for all skill levels and especially scenic in the fall when the colors are changing. Note that this route doesn’t provide direct creek access. Expect heavy traffic on this hike.

Mescal Mountain Trail is a 9.7 km out and back hike in Sedona that skirts around the base of Mescal Mountain. This hike is rated as moderate, but we consider it to be on the easy side of moderate. You can do this route by itself or use it to enjoy other connecting trails in the area. Expect moderate traffic on this route.

The Mescal Mountain Loop is a 7.1 km loop hike that uses Mescal Mountain Trail, Long Canyon Trail, and Deadman’s Pass Trail. With so many interconnecting trails in this area, we love making use of multiple routes to enjoy different vantage points. This route is rated as moderate and sees moderate traffic.

Sounding like something out of a Saturday morning cartoon, the Adobe Jack, Coyote, and Crusty Loop is a fun 2.9 km hike not far from downtown Sedona. This hike offers awesome views without needing to go too far. The terrain is varied and shared by mountain bikers. This trail sees heavy traffic.

Templeton Trail is a gorgeous 11.3 km out and back trail that begins near Bell Rock and takes you right underneath Cathedral Rock, Sedona’s most iconic rock formation. It’s perfect if you want one trail with stellar views that won’t take all day or make you work too hard. Expect moderate traffic on this hike.

The Soldier Pass and Jordan Trail Loop is a 5.5 km hike in Sedona, Arizona. Soldier Pass Trail gets constant acclaim from the steady stream of hikers who explore it because of all the natural landmarks you can find on it. This version takes you to the Seven Sacred Pools and along Jordan Trail for views of Morning Glory Spire and Cibola Mitten. We recommend downloading your GPS track ahead of time as the trail can become a touch confusing where there isn’t clear signage.