Nestled in the heart of Arizona, Sedona is a hiker’s paradise. This picturesque area is chock full of red rock formations, rugged canyons, and mesmerizing natural landscapes. Sedona truly has something for everyone, whether you’re an avid hiker or a beginner seeking adventure on the trails.
This must-see destination in Arizona is renowned for its breathtaking red rock landscapes, ancient canyons, and mystical energy. With an abundance of hikes in Sedona, this one-of-a-kind city offers outdoor enthusiasts a chance to immerse themselves in the region’s awe-inspiring beauty.
From challenging ascents to serene canyon walks, there are hikes in Sedona for all experience and fitness levels. This blog post will cover 7 of our favourite trails you don’t want to miss!
When to Visit
The best time to visit largely depends on personal preferences and weather conditions. Prime seasons for hiking in Sedona are spring (March to May) and fall (September to November).
During these periods, the weather is typically mild, with pleasant temperatures ranging from 15°C to 30°C. The spring brings blooming wildflowers, while the fall showcases vibrant foliage colours.
Winter (December to February) can also be a good time for hiking, although the higher elevations may experience snowfall. Summer (June to August) is HOT, with daily temperatures exceeding 38°C, making it less favourable for hiking. If you are going during this time, sunrise hikes are a must!
Getting Around in Sedona
The most common way to explore Sedona is by private vehicle. Renting a car gives you the flexibility to navigate the city at your own pace and easily reach trailheads and other attractions.
Sedona also has a reliable public transportation system known as the Sedona Shuttle. It operates regular bus services to key trailheads in the area. Additionally, several taxi and ride-sharing services are available if needed. For those who prefer a more eco-friendly option, biking is another popular way to get around Sedona.
IMPORTANT: Many of these trails have designated parking areas, but they fill up quickly. Some of the most popular trailheads like Devil’s Bridge and Soldier Pass have very limited space. This means you either have to arrive before they fill up, find alternative parking nearby or utilize shuttle services.
Red Rock Pass
You will need to purchase a Red Rock Pass or an America the Beautiful Pass to hike in Sedona. The Red Rock Pass costs $5 USD per day or $15 USD for one week and can be purchased at the visitor centre and/or some trailheads.
The America the Beautiful Pass is an annual US Park Pass that costs $80 USD. This can be purchased online or at any national park visitor centre.
Leave No Trace
With more and more people exploring the great outdoors, it is more important than ever to leave no trace. By following these seven principles, we minimize our impact on the environment and ensure we can all enjoy these beautiful areas for generations to come.
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp only on durable surfaces
- Have proper waste disposal
- Leave what you find (except for waste)
- Minimize campfire impact
- Respect wildlife
- Be mindful of other visitors
Now that we’ve got the housekeeping out of the way, let’s get into the good stuff! Here are all of our favourite hikes in Sedona, Arizona.
Interactive Map
Subway Cave Trail
9.4 kilometres & 203 m elevation gain
The Subway Cave is one of the most unique hikes in Sedona, making it a must-visit destination. The main parking lot for this hike is located at the Boynton Canyon Parking Lot. There are only about 30 parking spots here so go early in the morning or in the evening to avoid the crowds. Overflow parking is available on the sides of Boynton Pass Road, just west of the intersection with Boynton Canyon Road.
The first 3.4 kilometres are on the Boynton Canyon Trail. There is no sign marking where the trail branches off to access the Subway Cave, so we would highly recommend bringing a GPS map like AllTrails or maps.me.
The trail branches off to the right and becomes much more narrow at this point. It winds you beside a river and eventually up to the red rock cliffs housing the Subway Cave. This portion of the hike is only about 1.3 kilometres. From the ground, the Subway Cave looks like a narrow slit in the sandstone walls.
At this point, you have two options to get into the cave.
- Climb up the sandstone incline for a more direct but challenging route. This is the most technical part of the hike and we decide to climb up this way, but not down.
- If you are looking at the cave from the ground, you can also walk to your left and climb up from the side. This is far less challenging and we would recommend coming down this way.
Once you arrive in the cave, you will likely be sharing it with several other people. We hung around for about an hour and got a 20-minute window all to ourselves! Be careful around the edges and take your time walking through, the views are truly extraordinary.
BONUS: After you visit the cave, go out the opening and take a right. This trail will lead you to some impressive Sinagua ruins along the side of the cliff.
Soldier Pass Trail
7.2 kilometres & 256 m of elevation gain
Soldier Pass Trail really surprised us and ended up being one of our all-time favourite hikes in Sedona. This moderate trail is the perfect blend of fascinating rock formations, lush vegetation, historical landmarks, and marvellous sunset views.
This hike begins at the Soldier Pass Trailhead. When we visited, the small parking lot was closed and we had to park at the Posse Grounds Park and Ride. This adds about 3.5 kilometres to your hike. You can also choose to take the shuttle to the trailhead.
Once you get started, you will encounter the Devil’s Kitchen sinkhole and the Seven Sacred Pools, which we LOVED. These seven pools are a captivating photo spot with an incredible background, especially at sunset! From there, we hiked through a mesmerizing forest and took a slight detour to the Soldier Pass Cave.
Many people climb up inside the cave which has windows that offer a unique portal to the surrounding landscape. If you are up for a challenge, our number one view was from on top of the Soldier Pass Cave. To get here, climb into the cave, walk to the far end, and climb out the top.
IMPORTANT: This section can be extremely dangerous. Only attempt this if you are an experienced hiker/climber.
Devil’s Bridge Trail
6.3 kilometres & 160 m of elevation gain
Devil’s Bridge is easily one of Sedona’s most iconic hikes. Because of this, we would highly recommend going as early as possible to get a spot in the parking lot. On weekends in the busy season, the parking lot fills up by 6 AM. We arrived at 5:30 AM on a Saturday and had no issues.
This moderate-level hike takes you through remarkable red rock formations and leads to an impressive natural sandstone arch known as Devil’s Bridge. The first half of this hike is relatively flat and you gain most of your elevation over the last kilometre.
At the end of the trail, you are rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding canyons. It is common to have to wait 15 minutes to an hour to take a photo on Devil’s Bridge. In our experience, everyone was very friendly, respectful of the lineup and willing to help each other capture the moment.
Birthing Cave Trail
3.1 kilometres & 71 m of elevation gain
The Birthing Cave Trail provides a unique and spiritual hiking experience. Located in Boynton Canyon, this trail is steeped in Native American folklore and offers marvellous views along the way. This hike is short and sweet, so we decided to give it a go one morning after the Devil’s Bridge.
As you hike through the canyon, you’ll reach the Birthing Cave, a sacred site believed to be a place of spiritual rebirth. Take a moment to soak in the serene atmosphere and reflect on the ancient traditions associated with this remarkable place. If you have the opportunity, this would be a great sunrise hike!
The Window Cave Lookout
10.2 kilometres & 270 m of elevation gain
Schnebly Hill Road is an extraordinary area in Sedona only accessible to 4×4 vehicles and hikers. We decided to hike up from the Schnebly Hill Trailhead and can not recommend it enough! There are several different trails and viewpoints throughout this area, but one of our favourites was the Window Cave Lookout.
To get here, we hiked 5.1 kilometres each way along the road/ a dirt path next to the road. The Window Cave Lookout is located very close to the Merry-Go-Round viewpoint. This entire trail was beautiful and far less crowded than other hikes in Sedona. The Hangover Trail is another great option in this area.
Cathedral Rock Trail
1.6 kilometres & 167 m of elevation gain
For those seeking a challenging yet rewarding hike, Cathedral Rock is a must. This iconic trail takes you on a steep ascent through breathtaking red rock formations until you reach the top of Cathedral Rock. The panoramic views from the summit are nothing short of awe-inspiring.
*When we visited in the spring of 2023, this trail was closed for maintenance. Be sure to check if it is open before visiting!*
We hope you enjoy your time in Arizona. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or comment below with your favourite hikes in Sedona. We would love to hear from you!
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