Top Rated Hiking Trails in Sedona, AZ

[TheAmericanTravelProject]

Are you looking for a nature hiking trail? Go for Sedona hikes.

Sedona is one of the most beautiful and scenic areas of the United nation, making it the best destination for casual hikers. Sedona Hikes offers family-friendly hiking areas along the base of cliffs, natural bridges, rivers, wildlife, positivity, and calmness.

Set at an elevation of over 4,300 feet, the beauty of Sedona’s hiking trails is that there is something for each level of hiker.

Best Sedona Hikes

Cathedral Rock

Cathedral Rock Sedona Hike

• Trailhead: Cathedral Rock Trailhead at Back O Beyond Rd
• Distance: 1.2 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation Gain: 700 feet

Sedona hikes are the best in the country, and picking the best one is arduous. But looking at the Cathedral rock clears all the doubt. This popular nature trail offers majestic views of Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte, the colorful Mogollon Rim, and once you reach the saddle, vistas of the rolling landscape to the west.

The hiking trail runs from the east side of the cathedral rock across a flat area and ascends the rock. The hiking area offers steep slopes and can be a little tricky.

The surprising part of this hiking is that there is no submission. You will find yourself sitting on a saddle and see two soaring red rock towers like the flanks of a grand church.

West Fork Trail (Oak Creek Canyon)

West Fork Trail Sedona Hike

• Trailhead: West Fork Oak Creek Trailhead
• Distance: 6 miles
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Elevation Gain: 535 feet

Running along the edge of Oak Creek, the West Fork Trail is a different experience from all the hikes in our guide. The trail is home to shade, water, and vegetation, trees, perfect for hikers in dense summer. So, if the sun is harsh on you, you can always run to this trail to escape the heat. Also, it is one of the easiest Sedona hikes offering everything you need.

The trail includes the artistic carving of the creek that sees the canyon curl up like a wave in certain sections. It runs across the west Fork creek several times, highlighting lovely rock formations sculpted by running water.

For more adventure, continue hiking after the turnaround point for about four 4 to the end of the canyon.

Fay Canyon Trail

Fay Canyon Trail Sedona Hike

• Trailhead: Fay Canyon Trailhead
• Distance: 2.4 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation Gain: 190 feet

The next on the list of best Sedona hikes is a 2.4-mile trail leading you to beautiful scenery, the Fay Canyon trail. Unlike other Sedona hikes, this one runs through a treed area and offers some shade. The path lets you into the heart of red rocks, hanging gardens, and cliff walls, divine!

The flora includes rows of cacti, yucca, and vibrant arid wildflowers, making a desert into a dreamland. Some sections of the hiking areas might not be suitable for children, and the sun can be a bit harsh on you.

The trail ends at a towering rock formation, but you can go beyond the sign for a better view. The hike is set at an elevation of 190 feet and is suitable for everyone, including children.

Bell Rock

Bell Rock Sedona Hike

• Trailhead: Courthouse Vista Parking Lot
• Distance: 3.6 miles (including climb)
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Elevation Gain: 380+ feet

Bell rock is another one on the list of best Sedona hikes. The unique shape of bell rock is easy to spot along Highway 179, near the village of Oak Creek. The track includes sloping walls, deceivingly steep up close, making it exciting for hikers.

The hiking area is smooth and leveled until you descend towards the Village of Oak Creek. The trail does not encircle the base of Bell rock. If you like to climb Bell rock, follow a side trail leading you to the lower section of the statute.

Airport Mesa Trail

Airport Mesa Trail Sedona Hike

• Trailhead: Airport Mesa Trailhead
• Distance: 3.5 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation Gain: 416 feet

Want to view colorful cliffs? Airport Mesa trail is one of the beautiful Sedona hikes. It follows the edge of Airport Mesa and offers a majestic view of the city and the colorful cliffs of Mogollon Rim.

Surrounded by deserts and mountains, it is the best hiking trail in Sedona for a spectacular view of the sun touching down the horizon. The sunset view with fading light splashing on the red rock from the cliff makes it worth every step you make here.

The trail starts with a brief climb to the saddle. Along the way, you would find lower oak valleys and vegetation. Crossing this, you will be spellbound by the sparking views of West Sedona, the famed Red Rock Loop Road.

Birthing Cave

Birthing Cave Sedona Hike

• Trailhead: Long Canyon Trailhead
• Distance: 2 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation Gain: 400 feet

If you want to go for easy hiking and snap some best photos, the birthing cave is your hotspot. You can reach here via Reached via an offshoot of the relatively flat Long Canyon Trail.

The cave was undiscovered until it made its way onto Instagram in the last few years. Birthing Cave gives you the best photos as the wide area gives a wider angle to capture the view.

To reach this cave, you need to hike for about half a mile along the Long Canyon Trail and reach a fork. Take that narrow trail on the left and start walking. You will soon see the majestic view of a Birthing cave.

Montezuma Castle and Well

Montezuma Castle and Well Sedona Hike

• Trailhead: Montezuma Castle and Well
• Distance: 0.7-mile loop
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation Gain: 300 feet

Montezuma castle is the most beautiful and eye-catching of all the Sedona hikes. The hiking trail has longer and shorter slopes delivering the beauty of nature and scenery.

Montezuma castle and well is an unbelievable nature’s call of having such a large pool in a dry environment. It’s a massive sinkhole filled with water and is 386feet deep across and 55 feet deep.

Soldier Pass Trail (Seven Sacred Pools)

Soldier Pass Trail Sedona Hike

• Trailhead: Shadow Rock Drive
• Distance: 4.1 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation Gain: 600 feet

The last on the list of best Sedona hikes is the Soldier pass trail. Soldier Pass trail is an interesting hike in Sedona. It’s an easy hike with less crowd. The highlights include Devil’s Kitchen sinkhole, seven sacred pools, and a religious site for the local population. The pool features cascading waterfalls and a spot to sit, get wet and cool off. The trail is adventures, taking you through the heart of Red Rock’s secret mountain wilderness.

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