10 Best Hikes in Sedona You Don’t Want to Miss
Known for its iconic vista views, hikes in Sedona are also brimming with scenic caves, natural pools, and unique desert flora. Experience these elements on 10 of the best hikes in Sedona, from beginner level to moderate.
Sedona will take your breath away. And not just because of the 200-plus hiking inclines. Its towering red rocks make a vibrant backdrop for any time of day. Aside from iconic vista views, Sedona hikes are filled with unique and diverse landscapes. These elements create some of our favorite hiking trails in Arizona. We’ve compiled our most recommended hikes in Sedona, ranging from easy to moderate to more challenging.
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We’ll share some of the best Hikes in Sedona by:
*But first, please refresh on Leave No Trace Principles. With increasing popularity and recent staffing cuts, hikes in Sedona need the help of visitors to minimize our impacts.
Additionally, to practice safety, we highly recommend using an app like AllTrails. Consider purchasing the pro version to download offline maps and unlock map details for better navigation. Most hikes in Sedona will have spotty cell service, so this is your best option!
Popular Hikes in Sedona
- Devil’s Bridge Trail
- Bell Rock
- Thunder Mountain Trail and Chimney Rock Pass Loop
- West Fork Trail
Devil’s Bridge Trail
- Route Type: out & back
- Distance: 4.2 miles
- Skill Level: easy
- Elevation Gain: 564 feet
One of the most well-known and best hikes in Sedona. The trail leads you to the anticipated 54-foot-high natural sandstone arch. Although one of the easier hikes in Sedona, the trail is short and steep at the end. However, you’ll have time to catch your breath while you wait in line to walk out to the bridge. Test your adventurous spirit by walking across the bridge and snapping a photo as proof of your quest. This trail is very popular, so we recommend arriving early.
Travel Tip: Start at the Mescal Trailhead and follow the Chuck Wagon Trail. If you don’t have 4WD, you will likely have to park on the street, which adds about 2 miles.
Bell Rock
- Type: loop or out & back
- Distance: 1.9 miles – 2.8 miles
- Skill Level: easy/moderate
- Elevation Gain: 232 feet – 475 feet
Bell Rock is an iconic landmark and one of the most well-known hikes in Sedona. If you drive in from Highway 179, you’ll be greeted by this red rock butte. Many visitors think of this as the first jaw-dropping sight you’ll see driving into Sedona. When hiking Bell Rock, you have two options. To reach the top, embark on your own adventure with a rock scramble starting on the Bell Rock Loop Trail. There is no defined trail, which is half the fun! For a more leisurely stroll, follow the Bell Rock Pathway. This loop follows a flat trail of red dirt and sandstone, with a long, flat section. The ease of this makes it one of the more popular hikes in Sedona. Sit and enjoy the views from either trail and your first vortex experience. Let the energy seep in!
Travel Tip: Hike counterclockwise if you scramble toward the top of Bell Rock. You’ll end on the north side with a breathtaking view of Courthouse Butte.
Thunder Mountain Trail and Chimney Rock Pass Loop
- Type: loop
- Distance: 1.8 miles
- Skill Level: easy/moderate
- Elevation Gain: 374 ft elevation gain
Outside of a suburban setting, this is a bit of an off-the-beaten-path trail. Begin the hike counterclockwise on the Thunder Mountain Trail. A panoramic view of the surrounding mesas in Sedona will greet you shortly. Although not very difficult, this hike does feature rock steps to get your cardio in. The steps also make it a bit easier for less experienced hikers. After the steep climb, continue on the Chimney Rock Trail This hike is also very open, so be mindful of sun exposure!
Travel Tip: As a bonus, the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park is connected to this trail, so make a slight detour to deepen your experience.
West Fork Trail
- Type: Out & back
- Distance: 6.5 miles
- Skill Level: Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 1053 ft elevation gain
This beautiful trail checks everything on our list that we want on a hike! Canyons, pine trees, creek crossings, views, swimming! Cool off by exploring the canyons of Oak Creek on this trail, and unlike most hikes in Sedona, there is plenty of shade here in the dense forest. Summer is an ideal season to explore this trail if you want to go pool-hopping. (10/10 recommend) It’s easy to feel like you’re someplace other than Arizona here. Visit during the week or in the off-season to beat the crowds. This trail is easy and flat, but we rated it moderate for the length of the trail.
Travel Tip: We recommend wearing good shoes that double up as water shoes. I also love my Chacos for multi-use, comfort, and pairing with a casual outfit. Just make sure you break them in first to avoid blisters!
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Sunset Hikes in Sedona
- Airport View Trail
- Secret Slick Rock Trail
Airport View Trail
- Type: out & back
- Distance: 1.4 miles
- Skill Level: easy
- Elevation Gain: 216ft
If you’re looking for panoramic views of Courthouse, Cathedral, and Bell buttes during sunset, get your butt up to the Airport View Trail! Free parking at the trailhead is super limited, but it is a shorter hike up to the vista. You can drive up to the viewpoint parking lot and pay $3 to park and walk down the road to the trailhead. Once on the trail, there is a DIY sign pointing to the left for the longer airport loop hike and pointing to the right for the short hike, continue left for a longer hike and make it a loop with a total distance of 3.3 miles and another 200ft of elevation gain. It is very popular, so if you’re seeking rejuvenated energy at this vortex, you might be sharing it.
Travel Tip: Drive up the road and eat dinner at Mesa Grill. If you can’t find a parking spot, the views from outside the restaurant are just as breathtaking. Plus, you get to enjoy a meal and a cocktail while you sit back and enjoy Mother Nature’s show!
Secret Slick Rock Trail
- Type: out & back
- Distance: <1 mile
- Skill Level: easy
- Elevation Gain: 78 ft
This might be the shortest hike in Sedona, with the most incredible views. This easy out-and-back trail provides 360° views of Cathedral Rock, Courthouse Vista, and sprawling red rocks. Walk through a dirt trail lined by prickly pear cacti until you reach a flat, expansive red rock ledge facing Cathedral Rock Sometimes, there is a small pool of water on the rock face, making for an amazing reflection photograph!
Travel Tip: You can extend the hike along the Ridge Trail to make it a loop. We haven’t tried this yet, but plan to next time!
Our Favorite Hikes in Sedona
- Cathedral Rock Trail
- Boynton Canyon
- Soldier’s Pass
- Raven’s Caves
Cathedral Rock Trail
- Type: out & back
- Distance: 1.2 miles
- Skill Level: Moderate/difficult
- Elevation Gain: 741 ft
One thing we’ve learned as hikers is that sometimes, the shorter the hike, the more strenuous. Short often equals steep, and hiking the Cathedral Rock Trail supports that theory. This is one of the more popular hikes, but there’s a reason it made our list of favorites. Some rock scrambling adds to the fun but can make it slightly challenging. Once you reach the top, enjoy panoramic views of Sedona, including Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock. At the end of the trail, walk out onto the ledge for views of the desert landscape as far as the eye can see.
Travel Tip: Not recommended for people with limited mobility, dogs, or small children. We have seen some failed attempts on all counts, so if you are uncertain, there are so many other fun and beautiful hikes to choose from!
Boynton Canyon
- Type: out & back
- Distance: 6.5 miles
- Skill Level: Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 919ft elevation gain
So, there are three major attractions on this trail. A climb up the Boynton Vortex, Subway Cave, and Boynton Canyon. Crowds flock to the cave, so if that’s your destination, start SUPER early to have the cave to yourself. To reach the cave, you will have to go off the trail and follow a dried-up river bed while jumping on some boulders. Climbing up into the cave, you’ll be wedged in a narrow space ascending on a slick rock. You can either come down the same way or walk along the ledge of the cave to the right, where you’ll eventually reach another small cave and a steep but beaten-in path to descend. After you’ve played in the cave, continue on the trail to Boynton Canyon. The canyon is peaceful and quiet compared to the sounds of people at the cave on your way in. We ended with the vortex to recharge our energy.
Travel Tip: PLEASE be respectful here and follow the Leave No Trace Principles. I predict this hike will become less desirable in the future due to heavy traffic to the cave and vandalism.
Soldier’s Pass
- Type: out & back or loop
- Distance: 4.8 miles
- Skill Level: Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 823ft elevation gain
Another one of the more popular hikes in Sedona, with several features to explore! Before you’re even warmed up, you’ll come across Devil’s Kitchen Sinkhole. A large collapsed sinkhole, can’t miss it! About a mile in, stop at seven sacred pools to view naturally carved sandstone potholes. The pools won’t always be full, but after some fresh rain, they create a beautiful reflection of the mesa backdrop. From here, most people go to the caves & end there, but we skipped the cave and continued on the trail. Follow Brins Mesa Trail and Jordan Trail back to make it a loop and another mile or so.
Travel Tip: Since we’ve done this hike, there are now parking issues. They often close the parking lot, so go early or consider taking the free Sedona Shuttle.
Raven’s Caves
- Type: out & back
- Distance: 0.5 miles
- Skill Level: easy
- Elevation Gain: 55ft elevation gain
After driving past a small parking lot near The Village of Oak Creek all week, we had to find out what was beyond the mesa view. The trail doesn’t look like much, but an empty parking lot off the beaten path is our idea of a good time. The path quickly descends, and before you know it, you’re facing a series of caves on your right. We had this place all to ourselves while exploring the caves for a couple of hours. Continue walking down the path to Oak Creek and meander along the creek or jump in to cool off. The walk back up is steep but will make you feel like you’ve earned the good time you had here.
Travel Tip: Walk deeper into the main cave and follow the opening on the far left side. Walk out of the opening and along the boulders a short way to enter a gateway to another set of caves.
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Hike Sedona’s Vortexes
The four main vortex hikes in Sedona are
You may have already done these hikes in Sedona if you used this post as your guide!
If you only have time for one hike in Sedona, we recommend the following:
- Soldier’s Pass if you want a longer hike
- Cathedral Rock for a more challenging hike
- Bell Rock for a short and easy vortex hike
Additional Tips for Hiking in Sedona
- Take the Sedona Shuttle for 5 popular hikes in Sedona.
- Purchase a Red Rocks Pass in advance.
- Start early to beat the crowds and the sun.
- Stay hydrated and bring snacks.
- Protect your skin with our favorite UPF shirts, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunscreen.
- And most of all, be patient and respectful of others on the trail.
*If you’re not a morning person, there is a free shuttle to certain trailheads. For more information on shuttle schedules for hikes in Sedona, please visit The Sedona Shuttle website.
*Some hikes in Sedona require a small fee. Don’t forget to purchase and display a Red Rocks pass. They can be purchased at trailheads or in advance at recreation.gov. Daily multi-use recreation passes are $5, and a weekly pass is $15, or pay $20 for an annual pass.
Pin this guide to the best hikes in Sedona for your next adventure, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments!
And don’t forget to prepare for your hikes in Sedona with our hiking essentials checklist!
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