Sedona, AZ is the perfect weekend getaway for anyone who loves to hike. Beautiful red rock faces extend as far as the eye can see. The trail system in Sedona is very well maintained and has so so many options to choose from. Here’s a map of all the trails in the area.

That map is rather overwhelming because Sedona is absolutely busting with trails. This is a list of my 5 favorites to help you narrow it down:

Devils Bridge Hike

• Distance: 2 mi round trip (from Devil’s Bridge Parking Lot)
• Difficulty: Easy, very minimal areas of moderate
• This is one of the most popular hikes in Sedona. The parking lot fills up and cars park along Dry Creek Rd adding a little to your hiking distance.
• Most of the trail is a sandy pathway with a very gradual incline. As you get closer to the end there are sections with natural steps up to the top of the arch. When its very crowed some places require you to wait for opposite traffic to pass. Before arriving at the natural Arch there are a few look out points. The views from them are worth the hike alone.
• Even with massive crowds I’d say this hike is a must do. The below pictures were all taken along Devil’s Bridge Trail.
• To locate the trail input “Devils Bridge Trail Parking lot” into google maps (seems to work much better then iPhone maps). It is off Dry Creek Rd, also shown as Vultee Arch.

The famous arch. There is usually a line to take a photo on it, but everyone is very friendly while waiting their turn.

You will hike past these fun rock structures as you get close to the top.

Doe Mountain Hike:

• Distance: 1.6 mi round trip
• Difficulty: Easy to barely moderate
• Sandy well marked path takes you from the parking lot to the top of Doe Mountain, about 400 ft up over .7 miles. Most of the trail is a very easy incline.
• Once you reach the top it plateaus and opens up to amazing views of red rock formations all around. You can wander to the edges to capture different views and plenty of photo opts before heading back down the same way you came.
• This trail is very close to the Devil’s Bridge Trail and could easily be done on the same day. It is also much less crowded. I found a parking spot in the small lot no problem.
• To locate the trailhead input “Doe Mountain trailhead” into google maps. It is located on Boynton Pass Rd.

View looking back at the parking lot as you make your way up.

What the trail looks like most the way up- very easy walking path with gradual incline.

When you make it to the top follow the arrows for the best views on the edge of the plateau.

Plenty of spots to get as close to the edge as you feel comfortable and only a handful of other people at the top.

The wind is intense at the top. Watched a couple lose both their hats so make sure everything is secure before you get too close to the edge.

Cathedral Rock Hike

• Distance: 1.4 mi roundtrip
• Difficulty: Moderate, steady incline up a rock face
• This is a nice short hike. Only took about 30 min to get to the top and 20 coming down, but it is a relatively steep incline the whole way.
• You will likely have to use your hands and do some butt sliding on the way down in certain areas. I wouldn’t recommend with small children who need to be carried.
• This hike is another super popular one and the parking lot is small so do this first thing. I went at 8:30am on a  Sunday and was one of a handful of people. By the time I came back down it was packed.
• The lighting in the morning though is not great. The best views are in the shadows from the sun not being fully up. Maybe it’d be better at sunset barring no huge crowds.
• To get to the trailhead search “Cathedral Rock Trailhead” in google maps. Its located on Back O Beyond Rd.

Highly recommend doing cathedral rock hike for sunrise. You’ll beat the crowds and enjoy this magical lighting at the top.

Soldiers Pass Hike:

• Distance: 1.5 mi roundtrip, can be extended further to Brins Mesa Loop
• Difficulty: Very Easy
• This is a very easy walk in the park hike, but is really pretty and forested all the way. Would be great for kids as a quick little hike.
• It starts back in a neighborhood so the tiny parking lot is gated and only open sunrise to sunset.
• At about .5 mi you reach the seven sacred pools. They look a little less sacred in person so don’t get too excited.
• To locate look for “Trailhead Soldier Pass Trail” on google maps. Its off Forest Service 9904 Rd.

Courthouse Butte Loop Hike

• Distance: 4 mi roundtrip (hike is a loop not there and back)
• Difficulty: Very Easy, no elevation gain
• Very accessible right off highway 179. The trail starts at Courthouse Vista view point (what to enter into google maps).
• The trail wraps around courthouse butte on a very easy walking trail. It presents an a array of different formations as you make your way around, but never gains in elevation so all views are from below.
• From this starting point you can also hike straight up bell rock for more of a challenge.
• Great hike for a leisurely stroll.

Tips to help while in Sedona:

• A red rock parking pass is required at many of the hikes listed. They can be purchased for a daily rate of $5 from the visitor centers or many popular trailheads have vending machines selling them. Find out where to get yours here.
• Some of the trails intersect and many are along rock faces where you must follow the carins (stone piles). AllTrails is a great app you can download with all the trail maps. You can use it just like google maps but with much better trail definition.
• There are tons of places in town to rent four-wheelers and they come with license plates so you can drive them all over town.

Thanks for reading! Safe Travels and Hiking!

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