Sedona, AZ is one of the best outdoor-centric spots for those who want to enjoy hiking and seeing all this incredible town has to offer. Although you may have other plans during your first action of 2023 — like eating, drinking, and spending time with loved ones — going hiking is a great way to see the incredible landscapes, soak in nature, and check out the state-based wildlife. Do it all from the comfort of our vacation rentals in Sedona, AZ.
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Best Hiking Trails in Sedona, AZ
Luckily for you and your group, there are tons of hiking trails to explore during your time in Sedona, AZ! You will never be bored if you base yourself in this mountain and nature-centric town that is perfectly positioned right near tons of trails, hills, peaks, and valleys. Let’s see some of the best hiking trails for you to complete, no matter your fitness level!
First, we have the Munds Wagon Trail. This is one of the best options for those who want an easy walk or enjoy being outside with their children. Plus, the good thing about this scenic trail is that you can get great views and connect to other trails if you decide to extend your walk through the desert and the wilderness.
Secondly, Cathedral Rock Trailhead has dozens of trails that are perfect for those who want to get outside and see all that the Sedona surrounding area has to offer. The good thing about this trail is that you can reach the top in less than two hours (or one hour) if you are pretty fit. Just head to Back O Beyond Road and start at the Cathedral Rock Trailhead to begin your 700-foot climb to the top of Cathedral Rock and enjoy the breathtaking views.
If you head to Sedona with kids, they will love the challenge of real “rock climbing” in the desert and around the scenic red rocks! Next, you can’t go wrong with the Bell Rock Climb. Follow the trail signs through the first quarter mile of the hike, and then continue using your own route-finding abilities! Then, in the end, your kids or friends can scramble to the top of the huge rock to get amazing views of the surrounding desert and feel accomplished about the final push.
We also love going to Fay Canyon to spend time on this easy walk with our older relatives or friends who just want a relaxing walk during a hot summer day. If you are going to Sedona in the wintertime, you can snowshoe or walk through this trail to enjoy a relaxing and peaceful walk that provides you with an incredible view of the shady canyon.
For those who want to continue hiring, we also love the Birthing Cave. Despite the weird name, this popular trail is highly visited by tourists and locals alike — and for good reason! Start at Long Canyon Trailhead and get into the middle of the cave to start scrambling; try your luck at climbing and head to the edge for the perfect Instagram picture spot. You can reach the end of the trail, the infamous cave, in just 1-2 hours, depending on your speed.
Another fun hike that is great for people of all ages and skill levels is the Devil’s Bridge trail. Start at the Devil’s Bridge Trailhead, and in 1-3 hours, you will be at the top of this incredible trail! You will gain 400-500 feet during your entire ascent in 2-4 miles, meaning that you can get to the bridge before lunchtime and then head back down for a filling sandwich, salad, or soup in the heart of Sedona.
For active vacationers who want to spend all of their time outside, the Airport Loop Trail is another fun trail you can do in just two hours. Start at the Airport Message Trailhead just south of the heart of the city center and quickly gain 400 feet in just three miles. Even though you will be going high up to a great viewpoint, this trail is great for kids and older relatives who want to see Cathedral Rock, Courthouse Butte, and the downtown and heart of Sedona, AZ.
Speaking of Courthouse Butte, we highly recommend going to the Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte Loop at the Bell Rock Trailhead to get incredible views of the surrounding area, the red rocks, and the infamous desert that surrounds the heart of Sedona. You can complete this loop in just 1.5 or 2.5 hours, making it a smart choice for those with young kids or older relatives who want an easy and flat walk.
Another moderate trail that you can do during your time in Sedona, AZ, is the West Fork Trail. Head to the West Fork Oak Creek Trailhead to begin this 6-mile loop trail that will take you approximately 3-5 hours to complete depending on your pace. If you head to Sedona with your friends or teens, this is a great choice for those who want to really spend time in nature, avoid the crowds, and soak in the wildlife.
For another moderate hike that is great for older adults or teenagers, we love the Brins Mesa and Soldier Pass loop. You can do Soldier Pas by itself (see below) or add on the Brins Mesa trail to make it a bit harder. We like combining these two trails if you have 3-5 hours to spend on a nice winter, spring, or fall day going through the picturesque landscapes and mountains. Give yourself approximately 3-5 hours to complete this moderate loop.
If you would rather do something a bit harder, then we highly recommend logging into Soldier Pass. Although this hike is short in terms of miles, coming in at just under 5 miles in total, you will ascend over 800 feet during your 2- to 4-hour journey. You will take in beautiful sights, like the Soldier Pass Cave, Seven Sacred Pools, and the Devil’s Kitchen sinkhole, which is one of the best photo spots in the entire state.
Lastly, we enjoy the idea of doing very tough and strenuous hikes during our time in Sedona, AZ. If you come to Arizona during your first vacation of 2023, then chances are you are ready to get outside, see the sights, and spend some time with your loved ones. If so, then head to Bear Mountain to really challenge your day and start your time off right with a lung-busting hike to the top of this mountain. You will spend approximately 4-6 hours trying to climb over 1,800+ feet of the trail to reach the summit of Bear Mountain.
Trust us, this is a multi-hour excursion! In a few hours, you will reach the top of the 5-mile trail to see some of the best views in the entire state of Arizona. Although it is extremely tough, we love doing this hike by ourselves in the early morning, with family, or with friends during our stay in Sedona, AZ.
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Doesn’t Sedona, AZ sound like THE ideal spot to head to for you, your friends, or your family? We think so too! Use Porter to book one of our luxurious Sedona vacation homes for your first vacation of 2023.