If you’ve read a few of my Arizona posts, you’ve probably figured out that Sedona is one place I’ll happily visit over and over again. The first trip in 2000 hooked me, and every time I go back, I end up finding another hiking trail or viewpoint that reminds me why. The choice in Sedona hikes are a big reason why I keep coming back. While I’ve been to Sedona at least 50 times over the years, I haven’t hiked all of the trails. It is pretty amazing there are so many choices in Sedona. In this post I’ve listed my favorite hiking trails in Sedona and some of the more popular trails to help you plan your next hike. Hiking in Sedona Originally published October 6, 2023 — Last updated September 6, 2026 If hiking is your thing, though, you’re in the right place. With more than 200 trails, there’s something for every skill level. Whether you’re looking for an easy walk with amazing views or a trail that’ll leave your legs sore the next day, Sedona has plenty of options. These are the hikes I’d tell a friend to start with. However, you really don’t need to stress about which trail to hike in Sedona. Every trail here has views you won’t find in any other town, which is why you came here right? The red rock formations dominate the town and all of the trails are scenic. I have never hiked in Sedona and thought wow this is an ugly trail. So, don’t worry about choosing the wrong trail. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. If you purchase after clicking an affiliate link we may receive small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases If you’re wondering which Sedona hike is right for you, start with the quick comparison below. First time visitor? Read the complete things to do in Sedona guide → Things to do in Sedona Arizona Which Sedona Hikes are Right for You? Below are the Sedona hikes I’d actually recommend, depending on what you want to experience. Hike Difficulty Time Best For Airport Mesa Easy 30 min, – 1 hr Sunset Baldwin Trail Easy 2 hrs Families Bell Rock Easy 2-3 hrs Families Birthing Cave Moderate 1-2 hrs Sunrise Boynton Canyon Moderate 1-5 hrs Vortex & Cave Cathedral Rock Strenuous 1.5 – 2 hrs Sunset & Vortex Courthouse Butte Moderate 2.5-3hrs Beginner Crescent Moon Easy 1-3 hrs Cathedral Rock Views Devil’s Bridge Moderate 2-2.5 hrs Natural Arch Doe Mountain Moderate 1.5 hrs Sweeping Views Midgley Bridge Moderate 1 hr Rugged Canyon views Secret SlickRock Easy 30 min – 1 hr Sunset & Cathedral Rock Soldier Pass Moderate 2.5-3 hrs Seven Sacred Pools West Fork Easy 2-3 hrs Fall Colors & Oak Creek Which hike should I do if I’m specifically interested in vortexes? I’ve put those hikes together separately. → Visit a Vortex in Sedona. To learn more travel tips on red rock passes, parking, traffic and directions visit my page on → Sedona Travel Tips  If you’re here for a weekend, I’d choose one or two hikes based on what you actually want to experience rather than trying to cram in the most popular trails. The Sedona Hikes I’d Choose I’ll let you in on a secret of mine, the most popular trails (Devil’s Bridge, Cathedral Rock & Soldier’s Pass) are not even my favorite trails. They are ones that I have hiked, but not the ones I hike over and over. However, if you are looking for the classic Sedona trails these are your best bet.  I’ve hiked throughout the Sedona area, and below are the trails I’d consider first. I’ve included the hikes I’d choose for big views, a challenging climb, an easier outing, a creekside walk, and a few others when you don’t want to spend half your day fighting for parking. Cathedral Rock Trailhead If you’re up for a challenging hike, the Cathedral Rock trailhead has amazing panoramic views. Don’t let the distance fool you, this hike has a lot of rock scrambling. Due to the terrain and elevation gain it is a more strenuous hike. Read the complete guide → Cathedral Rock Trailhead in Sedona Bell Rock This trail is one of the most iconic in Sedona. Bell Rock looks like a giant red-layered cupcake and the trail loops around it with scenic red rock views in every direction. You can keep it super easy and stick to the lower trail, or venture a bit higher for a more moderate hike. Read the complete guide → Bell Rock Sedona Courthouse Butte If you want to get up close to one of Sedona’s most recognizable red-rock formations without tackling a strenuous summit, choose Courthouse Butte. The loop gives you changing views of Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock, with plenty of scenery along the way. Read the complete guide → Courthouse Butte Baldwin Trail & Templeton Trail – Another Easy Hike with Little Elevation gain I love the view of Cathedral Rock. If you’re looking an easy Sedona hike this one has a gorgeous view. This trail leisurely winds through juniper trees and meets up with Templeton Trail for picture-perfect views of Cathedral Rock. Take a short detour and dip your toes in Oak Creek or go for a swim if its hot out. Read the complete guide → Baldwin Trail Sedona Airport Mesa – Little Elevation Gain Want a short hike with big views? Airport Mesa is one of my easiest recommendations. This is one I return to over and over. Great place to bring any out of town guest because they have a trail that works for everyone. You can hike to the summit, see a vortex site and/or walk 100 feet from the parking lot to catch a sunset view. Read the complete guide → Airport Mesa Sedona Boynton Canyon If you want big red-rock views without committing to one of Sedona’s longer hikes, Boynton Canyon Vista is a good middle ground. You’ll get a worthwhile view with less time and effort than hiking the full Boynton Canyon Trail. Read the complete guide → Boynton Canyon Vista Trail Crescent Moon Park Crescent Moon Picnic Area is my favorite park in town. This park has several easy hikes in Sedona for any age. Not only does it have one of the best views of Cathedral Rock, Crescent Moon has nice picnic areas and Oak Creek access. Read the complete guide → Crescent Moon Sedona Seven Sacred Pools & Soldier’s Pass Sedona Arizona hikes This trail has it all natural pools (seasonal), a sinkhole, and red rock scenery. Read the complete guide → Seven Sacred Pools Sedona Devil’s Bridge Trail Devil’s Bridge is a fantastic hike and one I decided to take as part of a birthday trip. Best if you want the classic Sedona experience and don’t mind crowds. Worth doing if you want the classic natural-arch photo, but I wouldn’t choose it just because it’s famous. If you’re considering Devil’s Bridge, read my complete guide first because the parking situation can change how far you’ll actually walk. Read the complete guide → Devil’s Bridge Sedona Birthing Cave in Sedona The Birthing Cave is kind of hidden, however the hike to the cave itself is a short easy trail. You’ll need to park at the Long Canyon Trailhead. Read the complete guide → Birthing Cave in Sedona Doe Mountain Trail If you want a short, fairly steep hike with a big payoff, Doe Mountain is hard to beat. The trail climbs quickly to a broad mesa with 360-degree views, making it a good choice when you want impressive scenery without spending half the day hiking. Read the complete guide → Doe Mountain Sugarloaf & Teacup Sugarloaf is a short, sweet climb to a scenic lookout point where you can soak in 360-degree views of Sedona including Thunder Mountain and Chimney Rock. Great spot for sunrise or sunset. Trailhead is at the end of Buena Vista Drive. Close to Amitabha Stupa Peace Park. Read the complete guide → Teacup Trail Sedona Secret SlickRock If you want Cathedral Rock views without the strenuous Cathedral Rock climb, Secret SlickRock might be the trail for you. Read the complete guide → Secret SlickRock Sedona Hike Midgley Bridge Midgley Bridge is a short hike near it’s namesake, Midgley Bridge. Parking is very limited. Park by the bridge and wander along the trails with views of Wilson Mountain and Oak Creek. If you are coming from uptown Sedona parking is directly to your left after you cross the bridge. Read the complete guide → Midgley Bridge Sedona Hike West Fork Trail – Call of the Canyon If you want something completely different from the exposed red-rock hikes, West Fork is one of the most beautiful hikes in Arizona, especially in the fall. Expect red rock cliffs, tall pines, and dozens of creek crossings. It is my favorite spot to see the changing colors of the leaves. Read the complete guide → West Fork Trail in Sedona ⏱ Quick Travel Tips Too hot to hike? Find a good spot to cool off in our guide to Slide Rock State Park or Grasshopper Point swimming holes. Sedona Hiking Tips Here’s what I always tell friends and remind myself: What is the Best Time to Visit Sedona? SEDONA HIKE FINDER Which Sedona Hike is Right for You? Answer two quick questions, and I’ll help you find the Sedona trails that fit what you’re looking for. 1How much time do you have? Any amount Under 1 hour 1–3 hours 3+ hours 2What are you in the mood for? (pick any) Big views Sunrise / sunset Easy stroll Shade / cool Family-friendly Least crowded Vortex energy Swimming Scramble / adventure Reset filters No trail matches every filter you picked — try clearing one of them. Is a Guided Hike in Sedona Worth It? I’ve explored Sedona mostly on my own, however here’s when I think a guided hike in Sedona is actually worth paying for. Take a hike → Guided Yoga Hike or an Easy Guided Red Rock Hike. Want to spend less time hiking? See our best non-hiking Sedona experiences. Sedona Hikes FAQ Where Are the Hikes? Great hikes can be found throughout the entire Sedona and Oak Creek Village area. We divided the hikes based on the part of town they can be found in using the “Y” as our compass point. In this post I will refer to the “Y” when providing directions. Directions to Sedona Hikes Not sure what the “Y” is? It’s the main intersection (roundabout) in town where Highway 179 meets Highway 89A. To learn more travel tips on red rock passes, parking, traffic and directions visit my page on → Sedona Travel Tips If you want to organize the hikes based on where you are staying I’ve compiled the list below. Hikes are near the Village of Oak Creek, West Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon. South of the “Y” – Hikes Near the Village of Oak Creek – On your way into Red Rock country stop at the Visitor Center to pick up any maps and Red Rock passes you will need. The map below shows Oak Creek Village, The Y, West Sedona and Uptown Sedona as navigation points. West Sedona Arizona Hikes Once you head west from the “Y” on 89A, you’re in West Sedona territory. This area is home to some of the most popular hikes. Hikes with trails west of Sedona’s “Y” intersection include: Oak Creek Canyon Sedona Hikes Heading north of the Y on 89A through uptown Sedona, you’ll enter lush canyon country. This area is leads you to some beautiful hikes along Oak Creek Canyon. Some of our favorite hikes in this area include: Sedona Guides For fee sites you may need a Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful Pass. You can purchase at the Sedona Chamber of Commerce or Red Rock Ranger District … Continue reading Best Sedona Hikes: Which Trail Is Right for You?