There is no hiking destination on the planet quite like Sedona — just ask anyone who has hit the trails for proof! From its panoramic vistas and sandstone arches to its hidden caves and sweeping red rock views, it’s easy to understand why Sedona has become such a popular travel and hiking destination for travelers from around the world.
Even though there are dozens of phenomenal trails to choose from in Sedona for all skill levels, here’s a list of our can’t-miss hikes to check out during a trip to Sedona (starting with the easiest trail and ending with the most challenging climb).
Best Hiking Trails in Sedona’s Red Rock Country with Scenic Views for All Skill Levels
1. Fay Canyon Trail
- Length: 2.1 miles
- Elevation Gain: 144 feet
- Trail Type: Out-and-Back
- Difficulty: Easy
Fay Canyon Trail is an easy, flat, shaded trail on a sandy path leading to the Fay Canyon Arch that offers beautiful red rock views. The trail is tucked into a box canyon and surrounded by trees, so it’s a great trail to explore during hot weather. Even though the trail ends at the Fay Canyon Arch, you can trek forward and climb to the top for panoramic views of Sedona, Arizona.
2. Bell Rock & Courthouse Butte Loop Trail
- Length: 3.6 miles
- Elevation Gain: 341 feet
- Trail Type: Loop
- Difficulty: Easy
Bell Rock & Courthouse Butte Loop Trail is one of the easier trails in Sedona. And, as the name suggests, it offers picture-perfect views of two of Sedona’s most popular landmarks — Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte. Since this trail is flat, it’s ideal for hikers of all ages and skill levels. Just prepare to share the path — this trail is also popular with mountain bikers!
3. Birthing Cave Trail
- Length: 1.9 miles
- Elevation Gain: 232 feet
- Trail Type: Out-and-Back
- Difficulty: Easy
Birthing Cave Trail is a quick, flat, easy round-trip hike in Sedona that ends inside a gorgeous cave that frames the picturesque beauty of the red rocks. Some of the caves in Sedona can only be accessed on longer, more strenuous hikes, so the Birthing Cave hike is a fantastic trail for beginner hikers looking for a short cave trail or families hiking with kids in Sedona.
4. Devil’s Bridge Trail
- Length: 3.9 miles
- Elevation Gain: 521 feet
- Trail Type: Out-and-Back
- Difficulty: Moderate
Devil’s Bridge Trail leads to the largest natural sandstone arch in Sedona and is one of the most popular (if not the most popular) hiking trails in Sedona. The hike to the bridge is a short, moderately challenging climb, but once you reach the top, you can walk out onto the bridge for panoramic views of Sedona’s red rocks that make for fantastic photos. You might even witness a proposal while you’re here!
5. West Fork Trail
- Length: 6.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 564 feet
- Trail Type: Out-and-Back
- Difficulty: Moderate
West Fork Trail is one of the most unique hiking trails in Sedona. Unlike most other trails, which traverse the red rocks, this shaded trail is located a bit further north in Oak Creek Canyon. The trail offers bubbling creeks and lush greenery and ends inside a steep canyon. If you’re looking for a change in scenery from the red rocks, add West Fork Trail to your list of hikes in Sedona — it’s especially lovely when the leaves start to change colors in the fall!
6. Soldier Pass Trail
- Length: 4.8 miles
- Elevation Gain: 823 feet
- Trail Type: Out-and-Back
- Difficulty: Moderate
Soldier Pass Trail is one of the most popular trails in Sedona that offers a ton of scenic stops along the way, including Devil’s Kitchen, Seven Sacred Pools, and Soldier Pass Cave. Though you’ll pass Devil’s Kitchen and Seven Sacred Pools on the official trail, you’ll need to take a spur path to reach the cave. You can also add on the Brins Mesa Trailhead to make this hike a longer loop.
7. Boynton Canyon Trail
- Length: 6.6 miles
- Elevation Gain: 931 feet
- Trail Type: Out-and-Back
- Difficulty: Moderate
Boynton Canyon is a moderately challenging hike that ends at the back of the canyon, so you can climb to the top for sweeping views of the red rocks. While the Boynton Canyon Trail is a great hike on its own, it is best known for its two “detours” — the Boynton Vista Trail that offers stunning views of Enchantment Resort, and the Subway Cave side trail, which leads to one of Sedona’s most picturesque red rock caves!
8. Cathedral Rock Trail
- Length: 1.1 miles
- Elevation Gain: 669 feet
- Trail Type: Out-and-Back
- Difficulty: Difficult
Cathedral Rock might be one of the shortest trails in Sedona, but it is also one of the toughest. This climb is a rock scramble to the top, but once you reach the summit, you’ll be rewarded with some of the most spectacular views in Sedona, especially during sunset! Since this trail is so popular, be prepared to share the trail with other hikers and wait your turn to climb up and down the narrow one-way passes.
9. Bear Mountain Trail
- Length: 4.6 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,988 feet
- Trail Type: Out-and-Back
- Difficulty: Difficult
Looking for a challenge? Bear Mountain is one of the tallest peaks in Sedona and, therefore, is one of the area’s most challenging hikes, boasting nearly 2,000 feet in elevation gain. However, the summit of Bear Mountain is worth the climb. From the top, you can soak up panoramic views of the red rocks in Sedona and can even see the San Francisco Peaks in Flagstaff!
Helpful Tips for Hiking in Sedona
- Purchase a Red Rock Pass — Some of the most popular hikes in Sedona, including Cathedral Rock, Boynton Canyon, Bear Mountain, and Bell Rock, require a Red Rock Pass to park in the trailhead parking lot. You can purchase a daily pass for $5, a weekly pass for $15, or an annual pass for $20 from the Sedona Chamber of Commerce or online ahead of time.
- Bring the Proper Gear — For a day of hiking in Sedona, wear sturdy hiking shoes, light, breathable clothing, and sun protection, like a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. For more difficult trails, you might want to bring trekking poles. And remember to bring a reusable water bottle and drink plenty of water to stay cool in Sedona’s high desert climate (especially during the summer!).
- Start Early — Many hikes in Sedona get busy in the late morning, so for the best chance of small crowds and unobstructed views (and to beat the heat!), hit the trails as early as possible. Also, if you plan to do a lot of hiking during your trip to Sedona and want to guarantee good weather, we recommend visiting from March to May or September to November!
Relax in Comfort After Exploring These Sedona Hiking Trails with Arizona Sanctuary Experiences
Planning to visit Sedona soon? Whether you have time to explore one or multiple trails on this list, you’ll need somewhere to kick back and relax after a long day of hiking in Sedona.
The Sanctuary at Sacred Mesa, hosted by our team at Arizona Sanctuary Experiences, is undoubtedly one of the most luxurious places to stay in Sedona, AZ. This property’s high-end amenities, panoramic red-rock views, and remote location make it ideal for a peaceful stay in Sedona with family and friends. Want to see for yourself? Take a peek inside to fall in love with this stunning property!
