Hikes in Sedona
With so many world-class trails in Sedona, where do you start? Thankfully, choosing the perfect adventures in this gorgeous part of the Grand Canyon State is easy with our extensive collection of route guides. Most of the routes in Sedona lean easy-moderate in terms of difficulty, making it easy to link together several trails in a day, hike with family, or get out as a beginner. No matter which route you take, one thing is certain: you’ll be awestruck at the iconic red rock scenery here.
Sedona is a popular mountain biking destination, with many trails open to both foot and bike traffic. Horseback riding and off-roading are both frequently enjoyed in Red Rock Country, and campers can enjoy the pristine sites that line Oak Creek. Of course, once you’re done adventuring, you can take advantage of the world-class cuisine and art before turning in for the night. You won’t run out of things to do here!
15 Incredible Hikes in Sedona
Ready to start exploring? We’re making it easy to get going with 15 of our favorite hikes in Sedona. Our list includes short, laidback trails to intense treks and everything in between. Take a quick day hike or plan a longer visit, getting away for the weekend or for longer. When you’re here, you’ll likely find yourself wanting more and more time to keep exploring.
Our top hikes in Sedona are chosen to show off some of the most recognizable rock formations and mountains in Sedona. Some of these hikes are extremely popular, but we promise it’s worth sharing the trail to discover the views. While starting with these 15 hikes is a great way to get acquainted with Sedona’s hiking scene, remember that we’ve got plenty more route guides to keep you adventuring.
- Cathedral Rock - Cathedral Rock is one of the most popular hiking trails in Sedona… Maybe even the most popular! This hike offers gorgeous scenery, getting you up close to one of the region’s most recognizable sandstone features. This trail has the magical energy that so many parts of Sedona do, and you’ll be in awe at the natural beauty of nature’s church.
- Devil’s Bridge - Devil’s Bridge is a natural sandstone bridge that’s become a very popular photo spot. This geological feature is a desert wonder and it’s reachable on a moderate hike. Climb out onto the bridge and gaze over a great view of the iconic red rocks of Sedona!
- Chapel Trail - The Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona is an iconic sight. This church was designed by Marguerite Brunswig, a local rancher and sculptor who studied under Frank Lloyd Wright, the famous architect who aided in the design of the church. The trail lets you appreciate the chapel before hiking to a nearby viewpoint.
- Bell Rock - Bell Rock is one of Sedona’s most recognizable rock formations, and the hike there is a gorgeous, popular trek. The network of trails in this area allows you to easily add on hikes around Courthouse Butte, Baby Bell, and more. Bell Rock is an especially nice hike during sunrise and sunset.
- Seven Sacred Pools via Soldier Pass Trail - The Seven Sacred Pools in Sedona are a set of trickling blue pools amid the vibrant red rock between the Oak Creek Mountains and Sedona’s desert. Deep green juniper trees frame the site, reminding you just how much the landscape can change the closer you are to water. The pools provide an important water source for local wildlife and a spiritual scene for visitors and locals.
- Allens Bend Trail - Allens Bend Trail is a pleasant walk for the whole family, and it sees less traffic than many other trails in Sedona. You’ll have a nice spot to swim in the canyon before the hike, and then you’ll be able to enjoy the creek as you walk. This hike follows a small part of a longer trail through Casner Canyon, so adventurous hikers can go further if they want to keep exploring.
- The Birthing Cave - The Birthing Cave is a special spot in Sedona and has been a place where people go to find spiritual meaning for many years. Previously, Hopi women gave birth in the cave. The cave itself is incredible to be in, and you’ll enjoy a lovely view of the unique Arizona landscape. This trail used to be an underrated gem, but it becomes more popular every year.
- Boynton Canyon Trail - Boynton Canyon Trail explores one of the most beautiful box canyons in Red Rock Country. The trail is easy to get to and offers some chances to extend your hike. You can also check out the Subway Cave on this hike, which is a photo-worthy and very popular spot.
- Sedona Airport Loop Trail - The Sedona Airport Loop shows off the stellar view from Airport Mesa, where you can watch planes land and take off. This trail can also be extended to check out the site of the Airport Mesa vortex, which has a stunning panoramic view of the entire town and its surroundings.
- Fay Canyon Trail - The Fay Canyon Trail is a popular trip for its beautiful natural arch bridge and box canyon. It’s a fairly easy route, making it a good pick for newer hikers. This hike sees heavy traffic, but it’s worth it! You’ll love being far below the canyon walls, and the arch is such a fun find in its hidden perch in the rocks.
- Devil’s Kitchen - Devil’s Kitchen is a sinkhole, and while it’s not the only sinkhole in Sedona, it’s the most frequently visited. The sinkhole was suspected to have begun many, many years ago as the southernmost wall began to sink. Two historic collapses in the 1880s and 1989 resulted in the cavernous hole you can see today,
- Oak Creek Trail - Crescent Moon Ranch is a beautiful picnic park along Oak Creek. Locals and visitors come here to swim, snack, play games, and relax. The Oak Creek Trail is a short jaunt beside the creek that takes you to the Red Rock Crossing vortex. You can also admire the view of Cathedral Rock in the water of Oak Creek, a spot where the rock is very commonly photographed from.
- Doe Mountain - Doe Mountain has an awesome view of the surrounding landscape, including Bear Mountain, Lost Mountain, Mescal Mountain, and Maroon Mountain to the north and Sedona to the southeast. It’s a lot of bang for your buck considering the hike is one 2.4 km long.
- Broken Arrow Trail - Broken Arrow Trail is a 4.5 km hiking and off-roading trail in Sedona that sees many visitors thanks to its awe-inspiring views. It’s easily the best off-roading trail in Sedona, but the shared nature of the trail means foot traffic can enjoy it as well. It’s a fun adventure on its own, and it’s very commonly used to create longer loops with connecting trails.
- Honanki Heritage Site - The Honanki Heritage Site is a fascinating spot near Sedona where indigenous rock art and ruins can be observed. The hike to the site is easy at only 1.0 km long, making it suitable for all skill levels and ages. This is a great pick if you’re interested in the early human history of the Sedona area.
Scroll down to see the full list of hiking trails in Sedona.
When is the Best Time to Hike in Sedona
Sedona experiences hot summers, mild winters, and warm springs and falls. It’s a fabulous year-round hiking destination, but we recommend visiting in April or October for warm days, sunny skies, and a lack of precipitation. Try to avoid June-August, when daily highs soar as high as 38°C on average. Additionally, July is Sedona’s monsoon season, when trails are prone to flooding and washout.
While April and October are ideal hiking months in Sedona, they also coincide with the city’s busiest tourist season, which runs from late April to the end of October. Accommodations can be painfully expensive during the tourist season, so we recommend considering a March or November trip to miss the rush. If you’re fine with tossing on an extra layer, winter is the least pricey travel time. With temperatures still hovering around 16°C on average during the day, even January makes for great hiking in Sedona.
Other Outdoor Activities in Sedona
While the trails are excellent, hiking is certainly not the only way to explore Sedona! This region boasts plenty of space for other outdoor activities.
Adventurers on two wheels can take advantage of the many mountain bike and dirt bike paths. Those with four-legged friends can explore horse and dog-friendly trails. Campers can set up their tents in sites near the city and along Oak Creek. Photographers flock to Sedona to capture its arresting beauty, and those who love off-roading will find exhilarating trails to cruise.
How to Plan a Trip to Sedona
Proper planning can make or break your trip to Sedona, especially when it comes to hiking. Because of the small size of many trailhead parking areas, you’re going to want to time your arrivals right or have a backup plan in place.
Many top trailheads will fill by 8 AM with no alternative parking available. We recommend making a list of the hikes you’d like to do and planning the most-trafficked ones for your earliest mornings. Some trailheads are serviced by shuttles, but not many, so you’ll need to have a car lined up and your alarm set bright and early. Speaking of cars, if you’re planning to rent (which we recommend given the poor shuttle options), choose a high-clearance vehicle. Some of the trailheads you may want to use are only accessible with high-clearance, capable vehicles.
Most of the trails in the vicinity of Sedona require a Red Rock Pass. This is a $5 daily pass (subject to change) that you only need to purchase once per day to have access to all the Red Rock Pass trails. Trailheads that require passes have kiosks at them so you can purchase on the spot. You can also buy weekly or monthly passes or pick passes up from many local visitor bureaus, grocery stores, service stations, resorts, and retail stores.
Finally, since the accommodation in Sedona is in such high demand during the busy season, don’t sleep on booking your rooms. This is not the city to arrive in and plan as you go- you might get stuck without a place to sleep! Book your accommodations well in advance.
Arizona Adventure Tours
Some of us love trip planning and some of us just… don’t. Take the stress out of your trip with an expert-planned adventure tour, letting you let go and focus on the fun stuff. Check out some incredible adventure tours in Arizona.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sedona
What is so special about Sedona?
There’s a lot that’s special about Sedona! The red rock scenery and evergreen foliage are unique to this part of the world. Sedona is also known for the power of its vortex sites, where energy is said to flow up from the earth, offering healing, creativity, inspiration, and more. Partly because of these vortexes, Sedona has become a center of spirituality, meditation, and New Age practices.
What is the best month to visit Sedona?
We love to visit Sedona in April when the wildflowers are in bloom, adding gorgeous color to the trails.
Is Sedona the most beautiful place on earth?
Sedona was called the most beautiful place on earth by USA Today in 2003. You can decide for yourself whether it earns the title or not!
Is Sedona a tourist trap?
While there certainly are tourist-focused shops and activities in Sedona, the beauty of the landscape and the unique nature of the town’s energy and culture are authentic and worthwhile.
Is Sedona as hot as Phoenix?
Sedona is not as hot as Phoenix. It stays about 10°F cooler in Sedona than in Phoenix during the day, and nighttime temperatures drop far further than its southern neighbor because of its elevation.
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Best Hikes in Sedona
Cathedral Rock to Easy Breezy Loop
If you want to see Cathedral Rock up close but don’t want to climb it, the Cathedral Rock to Easy Breezy Loop is a good alternative. This hike is short and sweet, but it adds a little extra distance and takes you back to the trailhead on a different route so you’re not heading right to the rock and back. The trail is only 1.1 km long and is suitable for all skill levels.
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Little Sugarloaf Summit Hike
The Little Sugarloaf Summit is a 1.8 km easy hike that takes you a short distance up to the top of a rock formation where you’ll have great views of Capitol Butte. This is a quick trip, so feel free to combine it with other trails in the area if you want a longer adventure. Expect moderate traffic on this route.
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Bell Rock Pathway to Llama Loop
Bell Rock is one of Sedona’s most recognizable rock formations. This hike shows it off, as well as giving you a good look at Courthouse Butte. This route follows the Llama Loop, which adds a great view of Gibraltar Rock. This hike is a bit longer than the out and back version, but it’s still considered easy and family-friendly. We love this hike at sunset.
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Chuck Wagon Trail
Chuck Wagon Trail is a 11.3 km out and back hike in Sedona. This trail is awesome for its relative lack of traffic compared to most hikes in Sedona, which can get downright congested. This one gives you a bit more room to breathe while still delivering nice views. While this route isn’t as busy, the trailhead is, so arrive early to get parking. This trail is easy enough for all skill levels.
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Brewer Trail
Brewer Trail is a 2.4 km moderate hike in Sedona that leads you up to the viewpoint and vortex on Airport Mesa. This is a stellar spot as far as views go, with a 360-degree vantage point over all of Sedona and the surrounding landscape. You can also watch planes take off and land at the airport. Expect moderate traffic on this route.
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Thomas Point Trail
Thomas Point Trail is an underrated hike not yet discovered by the masses. This 3.9 kmtrail begins from the road, climbing through a shaded forest before reaching a viewpoint overlooking the surrounding mountains. It’s accessible year-round and doesn’t get very busy. Bring lots of water and sunscreen for this hike!
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Mescal and Yucca Loop
The Mescal and Yucca Loop is a beautiful hike that leads you along the crescent of Mescal Mountain. The loop is shared by hikers and mountain bikers and it’s a relatively easy trail with modest elevation gain. There isn’t much shade, so bring lots of water and sunscreen. You can extend this hike using the connecting trails if you want a bit of a longer adventure. Expect light-moderate traffic on this route.
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Oak Creek via Huckaby Trail
Oak Creek via Huckaby Trail is a route that leads you down to 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 unless you hike further along the creek. Expect heavy traffic on this hike.
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Bell Rock Trailhead via Little Horse Trail
Bell Rock is one of Sedona’s most recognizable rock formations, but that means the parking can be a challenge. This route gets you to the Bell Rock Trailhead from the Little Horse Trailhead on a laid-back pathway. Little Horse’s parking tends to fill up later than the parking at Bell Rock. If you want to hike the traditional route, check out our Bell Rock Hike.
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Phone Trail
If you’re hiking to Bell Rock from the Bell Rock Trailhead, Phone Trail can be used instead of the Bell Rock Loop Extension to reach the trails at the base of the rock. This is a short connector that sometimes has less traffic on it than the other trail to Bell Rock, so give it a shot on your way out or back.
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Secret Canyon to Bear Sign Canyon Loop
The Secret Canyon to Bear Sign Canyon Loop is a hike just off the beaten path in Sedona, which gives you a shot at a bit of a quieter trek in this very popular hiking region. This loop gets you completely immersed in canyon scenery. Do it in a day or find a camping spot to make this a weekend adventure! Come prepared with lots of water, especially if you’re here in the hotter weather. This trailhead requires a high-clearance vehicle.
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Hangover, Casner Canyon, and Huckaby Loop
The Hangover, Casner Canyon, and Huckaby Loop hike makes use of 5 different trails to create one 22.5 km adventure in Sedona.With 5 trails in one, you can see more of Sedona’s iconic red rock scenery in one go. This trail can be quite hot, so bring lots of water if you're hiking on a warm day. Expect moderate traffic.
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Soldier Pass, Brins Mesa, and Adobe Jack Loop
The Soldier Pass, Brins Mesa, and Adobe Jack Loop is a 15.0 km trail that features the Seven Sacred Pools in addition to the view from atop Brins Mesa. This route actually also makes use of Jordan, Javelina, and Crusty Trails. Bring a downloaded GPS track if you’re concerned about staying on track. Expect heavy traffic on this route.
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Carroll Canyon Trail
Carroll Canyon Trail is a 5.1 km loop hike that explores the area underneath Airport Mesa in Sedona. The canyon on this hike is very cool to see, and the trail is still easy enough for most skill levels to complete. The views are awesome, but we recommend bringing a downloaded GPS track as it can be easy to make a wrong turn on this route.
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Soldier Wash Loop
Soldier Wash Loop is a 6.8 km hike in Sedona that shows off the high desert scenery that this region is known for. This hike is good for all levels with just a touch of elevation gain and modest mileage. Keep an eye out for mountain bikers on this hike and remember to share the trail. Expect light traffic.
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Munds Mountain Trail
Munds Mountain Trail is a beautiful, lesser-known adventure near Sedona with amazing desert views. This hike doesn’t get as busy as comparable routes closer to town, which makes it an awesome choice when other routes in Sedona are packed. While we definitely recommend this hike, don’t try it without a high-clearance vehicle or you won’t be able to make it to the trailhead.
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Chuckwagon, Mescal Mountain, and Long Canyon Loop
The Chuckwagon, Mescal Mountain, and Long Canyon Loop is an 13.5 km hike in Sedona that makes use of several trails to show off Seodna’s iconic scenery. This hike is a longer one, but the elevation gain is modest and it’s fairly easy to find your way. Bring plenty of water and prepare to be exposed to the sun if you visit between April and October.
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Easy Breezy, Baldwin, and Slim Shady Loop
The Easy Breezy, Baldwin, and Slim Shady Loop is a 15.6 km hike in Sedona that makes use of several trails to create one awesome adventure. The star of the show is Cathedral Rock! This hike has a bit more elevation gain and loss included than the average route in Sedona, making it a good pick if you want a bit more of a workout. Watch for mountain bikes on this loop.
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Broken Arrow and Morgan Road Loop
Broken Arrow Trail is a very popular route in Sedona used by hikers, mountain bikers, and off-roaders. This route uses Broken Arrow Trail and another route to create a quick, easy hike. You’ll be able to check out the Devil’s Dining Room sinkhole on the way. This trail is suitable for most skill levels and children should be able to complete it. As with all hikes in Sedona, bring plenty of water if it’s hot outside!
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Transept Trail
The Transept Trail is a route less travelled in Sedona, Arizona. This hike is pretty quick and suitable for most. The views are special, especially during golden hour. You can hike this trail on its own or use it to connect to Hiline Trail. This route is rocky, so good boots are recommended. Expect light traffic on this hike.