Arizona is a state renowned for its wide open, rugged, and untamed landscapes. Adventure-lovers come from all over to hike the trails and take in the sights. Sedona, in particular, is a city in Northern Arizona that acts as a gateway to Red Rock Country.
It’s here that you can find hiking trails that range from beginner paths — perfect for family adventurers — to advanced hikes for expert climbers and hikers. The hikes in Sedona are some of the best in Arizona, and here they are broken down into beginner, intermediate, and advanced Sedona hiking trails.
Beginner Hikes in Sedona
These are the Sedona hikes that are ideal for casual walkers and hikers, especially those bringing their families along. If you’re on a family trip to Arizona and you want an easy but satisfying hiking trail, these are what you’re looking for.
Fay Canyon Trail
With a name that certainly gives the impression of a gentle hike, that’s exactly what you get here. Fay Canyon Trail is a 2.6 miles trail that offers one of the more easier hikes in Sedona. In fact, it’s common to see local runners enjoying this trail.
The easiness of this hike makes it ideal for families, and you can even bring your dog as long as you keep it on a leash. The clean air and good views, including a waterfall, make this a great beginner Sedona hike.
Seven Sacred Pools via Soldier Pass Trail
This is another of the best easy hikes in Sedona. Seven Sacred Pools via Soldier Pass Trail is a relatively short, 1.1 mile hiking trail that hikers of all skill levels can enjoy. Bring the kids and the dogs; you’ll all have a great time.
This Sedona hiking trail takes you along a river and brings you to the pools after which the trail is named. The only issue can be the size of the parking lot. To guarantee a spot (especially since there’s no street parking allowed), you need to get there early. This Sedona hike is best done between April and October.
Sugarloaf Loop Trail
The Sugarloaf Loop Trail is a great all-round Sedona hiking trail. It’s open year round and can be enjoyed by hikers of every skill level. The trail is 1.9 miles long and, as the name says, moves in a loop.
This hiking trail offers views of Soldiers Pass Coffee Pot Rock from the summit, as well as Devil’s Kitchen in the distance, and there’s a good chance of spotting some local wildlife as you go. This is one of the best easy hikes in Sedona for a quick activity outdoors.
Intermediate Hikes in Sedona
For hikers looking for a bit of a challenge, but nothing they can’t overcome, you’re looking for the intermediate Sedona hiking trails. These will give you a challenge and a bit of a workout, meaning a definite sense of satisfaction.
Cathedral Rock Trail
Cathedral Rock Trail is one of the most popular and best-renowned hikes in Sedona. Despite only being 1.2 miles long, it still definitely qualifies as an intermediate hike because of the need to get yourself a little dirty at times. You won’t need any special climbing equipment, just a can-do attitude and a willingness to scramble.
Something that also adds to the difficulty of Cathedral Rock Trail is the summer heat. If you try this Sedona hike at the height of summer, it could be bumped up to the advanced level. The added heat turns this trail into a battle of attrition, so it’s best to attempt this hike before or after the summer heat. However, the views are the ultimate payoff.
Devil’s Bridge Trail
Devil’s Bridge Trail is another one of the most popular hikes in Sedona. The Devil’s Bridge itself is the largest sandstone arch in the area, and was given a suitably impressive name to match. This is a Sedona hike that requires a lot of energy given it’s 4.2 miles long, but there is nothing preventing it from being accessible to any hiker up to the challenge.
The trail often provides natural stairs and a lot of varied terrain. It’s not uncommon to see children hike this trail with their families but the difficulty is still certainly there. The photo opportunities here are second to none and the scenery is some of the best in Red Rock Country.
Broken Arrow Trail
The sight of wildflowers alone makes this one of the most memorable hikes in Sedona. Broken Arrow Trail is loved by hikers, runners, and even those daredevils who enjoy mountain biking.
This is a favorite amongst hikers, and the 2.8 mile trail takes you to Devil’s Kitchen and Submarine Rock. The whole hike should take the average hiker around two hours to complete, and the views all along the way are spectacular.
Birthing Cave
Birthing Cave is a unique intermediate hiking trail in Sedona, in that expert hikers of the area often recommend this route between the months of October and May, mostly to avoid the sweltering summer season and the fact that this is a very open-air hike with no shaded areas for protection from the heat.
This is a hike to and into the Birthing Cave. The hike to the cave itself is easy enough, and the view from the cave’s mouth is your first reward. However, a hike into the narrow cave is also doable for those happy to brave it. The photo opportunities from the Birthing Cave itself are the most unique of all the hikes in Sedona, bar none, so keep that goal in mind as you enjoy the short hike to the cave.
Advanced Hikes in Sedona
These advanced hikes should only be attempted by experienced and dedicated hikers. You may need extra equipment and a lot more planning to tackle them, but the rewards are very much worth it.
Bear Mountain Trail
Bear Mountain Trail is designated an advanced hike due to its impressive 4.9 miles and the fact that you will need to be wearing very high-quality hiking boots. This trail is rocky, with varied and steep terrain. No climbing gear is needed, just the right clothing. That also includes a windbreaker because this is a very high climb and the air at the top is both breezy and cold.
Your reward is an unforgettable one, though. What you’ll find at the top of this hike is a full 360-degree view that can’t be beaten by any of the other hikes in Sedona.
Wilson Mountain Trail
The Wilson Mountain Trail is a real test of endurance. It takes you up Wilson Mountain, the tallest mountain in the Sedona area and named after a bear hunter killed by a grizzly back in 1885. Although this trail is open all year round, the winter months see a lot of snowfall so keep that in mind.
A lot of hikers choose to camp along this trail, given the mountain’s height and the trail’s 11.5 mile length. The rocky trail, mixed with a high chance of snow and mud (depending on the season) makes this one of the more difficult Sedona hikes but one that is still easily conquerable and well worth your time, especially for the unparalleled views from the summit.
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