Hiking in Sedona Arizona - Something for Everyone

 The rock formations around Sedona Arizona make it a hiker's heaven. The red rock makes exploring by foot an ideal way to experience the area and see the sites from new perspectives.  These are the hikes that I have completed in the Sedona area.  I have many more that I want to return to hike again on future trips to the area.  If you are here during the summer months I highly recommend getting up just before the sun and try to be out on the trail at sunrise.  The benefits of this are that the hiking temperatures are much more friendly and if you are lucky you will actually be able to find a parking spot at the trailhead.

It is important to know that for any trailhead that is developed in the area, meaning it has a restroom, you are going to need to have a Red Rocks access pass.  The pass is $5 a day and multiple day passes are available.  Some of the more popular trailheads have a kiosk where you can purchase a pass with a credit card, but others may not have this convenience.

These hikes are ranked in order based on my enjoyment.  Evaluating hikes is based on the scenery, crowds, cleanliness, and upkeep of the trail, the sense of connectedness that the hike allows me to have with the natural surrounding.

Cathedral Rock


Cathedral Rock is a grouping of rock formations just south of downtown Sedona.  The hike requires quite a bit of rock scrambling and being comfortable with some heights.  The hike heads up from the parking lot and takes you to a saddle between the rocks.  The views of the rock change as you climb further and further up the rock until you get to the top and can see the wide valley below.  There are plenty of spaces up here to pause and reflect on your experience and the energy of the vortex.

Learn more about hiking Cathedral Rock. (Coming Soon)

Birthing Cave

Birthing Cave is a pretty easy hike until you have to make the final ascent to the opening in the rock.  This is more of an alcove than a cave, but the walls form a perfect frame for the surrounding scenery.  We started this hike early in the morning and were the first people at the trailhead.  The sun rose over the rocks to the east and bathed the rocks were hiking to in striking light.  I enjoyed this hike and it makes for a perfect quick hike to fit around the other plans of the day if you are traveling with a group.

Learn More about hiking to the Birthing Cave. (Coming Soon)

Devils Bridge

Devils Bridge is a natural sandstone arch that has formed in the rock.  What makes this arch unique is that you can walk onto the arch and easily get your picture standing on top of the arch.  This shot is very popular on Instagram so there are a lot of people who have seen the picture and want their own version to add to Instagram.  The trail is highly congested and the parking lot is full very early in the morning.  This is still a good hike and has a little distance to it, so it makes a good half-day activity.  

Learn More about hiking to Devils Bridge. (Coming Soon)

Hikes that are Still on my Bucket List.

Soldiers Pass


Last Visited:

We visited the area in the last week of September 2020 and found that the temperatures were still quite warm for hiking in the exposed sun as it became later in the day, so we completed one hike in the early morning and returned back to town for a nap or to explore the shops, breweries and eating establishments.

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