The beauty of the Sedona landscape is best experienced while in the thick of it, and the hiking trails that traverse the area are the most popular ones in the nation, perhaps even the entire world. Leading travelers to vortexes humming with energy, to red rocks that naturally seem to resemble household objects like coffee pots and steamboats, and to historic trails when covered wagons were the family “station wagons,” every hike is a new adventure filled with wonder and excitement. Today, we at I Love Sedona want to take our guests on a tour with our Sedona hiking guide.
Unlike an evening stroll along the sidewalks of the Sedona neighborhood you chose to make your own for this epic hiking adventure, there can be some dangers involved with hiking in Sedona. Summer temperatures can reach the triple digits, which means packing enough water is very important. A hat to protect your head from the unrelenting sunshine, sunscreen to save your skin from sunburn, and comfortable hiking shoes that fit correctly will ensure that your hike begins and ends happily. Most trails are well marked and well-traveled so a compass most likely won’t be necessary and after water, the second most important piece of equipment needed for your Sedona explorations will probably be your camera, because the pictures you are about to take will definitely be worthy of framing.
Maybe you forgot your best hiking shoes, or maybe you realized that the tee shirts you packed aren’t properly wicking the moisture away from your body, making a visit to the Hike House perhaps the first stop on your journey. Offering hiking gear, books that offered detailed accounts of the best hiking trails in town, and even providing guided hiking tours for those who may be unsure about striking out on their own, this great store will be a valuable detour on your hiking journey.
This relatively short hike is also relatively easy, considered a moderate one for those with average skills, but there is nothing average about the views you will see from the highest spot you can hike to. Unfortunately, hiking to the top can’t be done, but when you see the landscape spread out before you from the highest spot you can reach, we don’t think you will mind. Ascending approximately 400 feet and taking between 1 to 2 hours to complete, the Bell Rock Trailhead is where you will start.
If you start this hike in the cooler morning hours, you should be back at your car just in time for lunch at Oakcreek Bistro, their Signature Chicken Burger is healthy, hearty, and so very delicious, helping to replenish all the energy you just used up on your hike.
We are starting our tour of trails with our classic hikes, ones you have probably heard about for years, including Cathedral Rock. This very popular trail is not one you want to take if you are looking for some privacy and solitude, but it is fun, moderately difficult, and provides more of those breathtaking views that Sedona is famous for. It will take hikers 1 to 2 hours to complete the 1.2 mile long trail that begins at the Cathedral Rock Trailhead on Back O Beyond Road.
The trail through Fay Canyon is an easy one, even as it is longer than the first few trails we mentioned, extending out 2 miles and often leading guests under the canopies of mature trees. The Fay Canyon Arch is a natural arch found about halfway along the trail offers a scenic spot to stop and take some of the most beautiful pictures you will ever take and the hike begins at the Fay Canyon Trailhead, a fact we are sure surprises no one.
Meaning “gathering place,” Tii Gavo is one of our favorite breakfast and lunch spots, located just about a mile away from the Fay Canyon trail and even though the trail is a simple one, we think an ice-cold beer after your pleasant stroll will go down real smooth, so be sure and stop in after your hike. This also may be a great spot to expand your cocktail consumption, offering a chipotle infused Tequila, served with hibiscus and lime and aptly named Fire Flower.
The Birthing Cave Trail, so named for the seep spring at the back of the alcove happens to resemble “that part” of a woman’s anatomy, is an easy trail that ascends about 250 feet and is known to be a great photography spot. Lasting 2 miles and taking between 1 to 2 hours to complete, it can be reached by the Long Canyon Trailhead. Featuring cliff dwellings that were most likely built somewhere between 700 and 900 years ago, this trail offers the opportunity to tip toe through history, although because they are tucked away at the bottom of the cliff, the ruins are sometimes difficult to find.
This next list of trails will take hikers to secret and/or powerful vortexes, so we thought we would take a few moments to answer the question that may be at the forefront of your mind, “What is a vortex?” The entire town of Sedona is reputed to be a vortex, but there are places where the energy is strongest. A vortex is defined as a spot where energy is strongest, where the earth seems alive, and those that visit may feel inspired to try something new, recharged with energy after previously feeling drained, and their spirits may rise in answer to the vibrations of the earth. As you hike along the trails that lead to the vortexes of Sedona, don’t be surprised to find stacks of rocks, people performing yoga or meditating quietly.
With a difficulty rating of 1, the Jordan Road Trail starts at the Jordan Road Trailhead and is just 2 miles there and back. The views of juniper trees spiraling upward, the sun glinting off the red rock cliffs, and the feel of pure energy that is emitted from this special hike will affect every hiker that completes it, bring pure joy to their souls.
Emitting an extremely masculine energy, the Airport Mesa Vortex is one of the most powerful vortexes in town and can be reached by taking Airport Road to the small parking lot and walking up the path that is visible from the parking lot to the Airport Mesa Trail (also known as the Summit Trail) and then climbing the small hill that offers handrails to help less experienced hikers reach the vortex.) The parking lot does not offer a lot of spaces, nor does it require a Red Rock Pass, so it is best to arrive early if you are trying to enjoy a sunset while at the vortex.
While not always considered a vortex, the energy at the Chapel of the Holy Cross Vortex is considered a healing one, perhaps related to the serenity that can be felt at the church. The vortex can be felt in the gardens that are located outside the Chapel of the Holy Cross, making this more of a walk than a hike, but as with most of the trails in Sedona, the views will ensure you never forget your time in the area.
As we mentioned earlier, summer temps can creep up pretty high in our red rock town, and a visit to Rocky RD Ice Cream Co will help hikers beat the heat. Located just a few miles from Chapel of the Holy Cross and proudly offering 16 flavors, all made in small batches, their flavors run the range from seasonal treats to vegan flavors, and low sugar delights, as well as their standards. Mexican Coffee Ice Cream may be one of their most unusual flavors and their Bourbon Pecan is made with just a touch of alcohol infused into the cream.
Sedona’s history is a long and rich one dating back to the time of the Sinagua people way back in 650 CE and although the Munds Wagon Trail history isn’t quite as ancient it is equally fascinating. The address leads hikers to the Schnebly Hills Trail which connects to the Margs Draw Trail and Huckaby Trail. This trail is about 4 miles long, leading hikers along the roads that at first were popular cattle trails and then later were where the wagons rode along and as you take this spectacular hike you just may hear the distant echoes of cattle mooing or bellowing or the quiet laughter of cowboys playing poker under the night sky.
Rated easy and thrilling, the Devil’s Bridge Trail is just over 2 miles long and offers an ascent of approximately 400 to 500 feet. Described as one of Sedona’s best hikes, it can be difficult to reach, at least the beginning portion of the hike as the Devil’s Bridge trailhead is only accessible by high clearance vehicles or 4X4s, something you might want to consider when you choose your rental car. In any case, for a truly spectacular adventure, if you can handle heights, climbing to the top of Devil’s Bridge may just offer idyllic views of Heaven’s front door or in other words, the stunning Sedona landscape.
The trails are getting longer and slightly more difficult the further into this article we delve, and Soldier Pass is the longest yet. 4.5 miles long and featuring an 800 foot ascent, it will take hikers of average skill about 2 to 4 hours long to complete. The Soldier Pass Trailhead is where you will start, leading past the Seven Sacred Pools and around the Devil’s Hole Sinkhole and then bringing you to Soldier Pass Cave. The Soldier Pass Trail is named for the soldiers who used this same trail to get to their Fort Verde place of work. (Is it just us or is this starting to sound like the story from a certain Christmas movie?)
Ok, it is time to take the road more difficult with the toughest hike in Sedona. The Bear Mountain Trail ascends 1800 feet into the clouds, takes about 4 to 6 hours to complete, and is 5 miles long. This hike isn’t for everyone and if you aren’t confident in your skills, there is no shame in sticking to the easy and moderate hikes, of which there are many. Bear Mountain is the highest mountain in Sedona, and when you make it to the top, you can see all the way to the San Francisco Peaks, located not far from Flagstaff.
The hikes on our Sedona hiking guide have been truly epic, but by now we are sure you are ready to take the trail that leads you home, or at the very least to the front doors of our I Love Sedona sanctuaries. Kick off your shoes and stretch out on sofas that are soft and inviting, pour yourself a cold beer or glass of wine, and grab a snack; our fully equipped kitchens have plenty of cabinet space in which to store your favorite treats. The best part of following the trail to comfort can be found in the backyards of many of our vacation retreats: the bubbling hot tubs that sit on decks under the sky. Sedona is a Dark Sky Community, and as such, the sky just seems like so much more and the stars twinkle brightly, much more visible than in communities where light pollution is the norm.
Reserve your favorite Sedona escape today and relax in comfort and hot water after the hikes you take through the region!
