Sedona, Arizona, is a paradise for hikers. It offers 200+ trails, and the Cathedral Rock Trail—gets top placement in nearly every top 10 list. So, on my recent trip to the area with a friend, I had to hike it.
You may decide you feel the same too. Visit this iconic, natural sandstone formation and trail for its incredible vistas and to experience one of Sedona’s four main energy vortexes. And bonus—get your heart pumping as you build a sweat while making your way up this 1.2-mile out-and-back red rock path while you take in its desert views and stark beauty. To make the most of this worthwhile hike, learn more about the trail, where to park, the spots for the best views, and what to bring in this complete guide.
Trail description and difficulty level.
I am an experienced hiker and found this 1.2-mile (1.9 km) out-and-back unshaded trail with a 741-foot (226 meter) elevation gain slightly challenging with some scrambling in narrow spots—which I thought to be great fun. For a less experienced hiker, a few sections might feel a tad intimidating. If you are unsure how to cross a narrow area on this trail, watch how others do it and copy their route. Doing this will show you shortcuts you might not have seen and give you the confidence to cross all terrain types.
Expect the remainder of this trail to be moderate, well-marked, and straightforward to follow. I hiked this trail in early December on a partly sunny day, shedding layers as I warmed. During late spring and summer, I recommend hiking only in the cooler early morning or late evening hours, especially as this trail is unshaded. See a screenshot of this hike on AllTrails below.
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This hike starts with a stroll before ascending steps and switchbacks. As you climb higher, the trail becomes more rugged, with sections requiring you to scramble hand over hand up the rocks. Trail signage is mostly clear and easy to follow. However, on rocky sandstone sections where it could be easy to lose the trail, note the wire mesh rock bins—essentially containers that look like trash cans—marking the route. See an example of these rock markers below.
The final stretch of this hike involves a short but steep climb up a narrow saddle past the main overlook, which will wow you with its expansive valley view to reach the summit and the site of the Cathedral Rock vortex. See my quick clip below for a view of the trail.
Who should hike the Cathedral Rock trail?
While I have seen information about this trail warning people fearful of heights to avoid the hike, barring the scramble areas, I found the trail stable and wide in nearly all places. The route had no sheer drop-offs except for the overlook, where there were plenty of safe places to sit or stand on the widest part of the saddle. I am close to someone who does not like heights, and I know they would be comfortable on this path.
However, this hike is not ideal for trekkers with mobility or balance issues, mainly due to the scrambling sections. Expect this trail to be manageable for most people with a moderate level of fitness wearing appropriate footwear with good treads.
Is the trail crowded?
Yes, this is a popular trail, and it can become crowded. On days the shuttle operates, expect trail traffic to come in bursts—after shuttle arrivals. Prepare for hiker logjams at trickier parts of the path and overlooks. If you would like to hike the trail in relative peace, hang back at the shuttle drop-off as we did so you can hike the lower section on your own. Otherwise, hike this route in the morning, early in the week, or on non-holidays when the shuttle is not operating and the crowds are fewer.
Cathedral Rock where to park & trail access.
Find the Cathedral Rock trail in the Coconino National Forest in Sedona, Arizona. How you arrive at this trail and where you park depends on when you plan to hike.
Sedona Shuttle: All you need to know (schedule, cost—free!, parking, etc).
When the free Sedona Shuttle is running—typically Thursday through Sunday year-round, and then daily during the busy spring season of March through mid-April and major holidays—the road to the Cathedral Rock trailhead and parking area is closed and only open to resident traffic.
During these times, you can park for free at the Sedona Shuttle satellite lot and catch the shuttle, which will take you to the Cathedral Rock and Little Horse trailheads. To drive to the lot—search “N SR-179 Park and Ride- Sedona Shuttle” on your GPS or mapping app (I used Google Maps). The address of this satellite lot is 1294 AZ-179, Sedona, AZ 86336. It is about a five to 10-minute drive south of Sedona and can accommodate up to 65 vehicles. The shuttle ride from the lot to the trailhead is also free and will take approximately seven to 10 minutes.
When operating, the Sedona Shuttle, which also serves three more trailheads on a different route, typically runs from 7 AM until 5:30 PM. See the most up-to-date schedules on this page of the Sedona Shuttle website. View this map of the Cathedral Rock/Little Horse shuttle route below.
When the Sedona Shuttle is not operating: 4 places to park
If you plan to hike the Cathedral Rock trail on a day when the shuttle is not operating, here are four alternative places to consider parking.
1. Cathedral Rock trailhead parking lots (500 Back O Beyond Road, Sedona, AZ)
Parking at the Cathedral Rock trailhead gives you the closest access to the trail. However, arrive early if you plan to park here. On days the Sedona Shuttle is not running, the Back O Beyond Road to the trailhead will be open and its two neighboring lots will be available to accommodate just over 40 cars. These lots will regularly fill by 6:30 or 7 AM. See a screenshot of the parking areas below. Purchase a Red Rocks pass onsite or in advance to park at this fee lot.
2. Baldwin Trail trailhead parking lot (on Verde Valley School Road, Sedona, AZ)
If you miss out on parking at the two main Cathedral Rock trailhead lots, know you can still access the trail by parking at the Baldwin Trail trailhead small lot and hike to Cathedral Rock from there for a total out-and-back trail mileage of 3.8 miles.
However, it could take you up to 20 minutes and nearly nine miles of driving to reach it if you are coming from the Cathedral Rock trailhead due to no interconnecting roads. Know part of the road to the Baldwin Trail parking lot is unpaved. Reference the AllTrails Baldwin Trail to Cathedral Rock trail to see the hiking route. Purchase a Red Rocks pass onsite or in advance to park at this fee lot.
3. Cresent Moon Picnic Site parking area (333 Red Rock Crossing Road, Sedona, AZ)
Another alternative—if the water level in Oak Creek is low, and you know you will arrive too late in the morning for a space at the Cathedral Rock lot on a non-shuttle day, you could also choose to park at the Crescent Moon Picnic site. To hike to Cathedral Rock from this pretty picnic site, follow this 3.9-mile route on AllTrails in reverse, beginning and ending at Red Rocks Crossing opposite Crescent Moon Ranch and the picnic site. On this route, eliminate the .2-mile section from the trail junction to the Cathedral Rock parking area. See the map screenshot below, where I mark the picnic site parking and where to catch and begin the trail.
Purchase a $12 pass (cash or check) to park at this concessionaire fee lot or display your annual Red Rocks Grand Pass. Also, know that you must access this parking area from south Sedona. There are no connecting roads from the Cathedral Rock trailhead parking area to this site, and it is an 11-mile and nearly 30-minute drive, depending on the time of day, to get there.
4. Little Horse Trail trailhead parking lot (AZ-179, Sedona, AZ)
Finally, if you are up for a much longer hike, you can also park at the Little Horse Trail trailhead parking area and hike 6.3 miles out-and-back to Cathedral Rock from there, following this AllTrails user’s recorded route.
Best time of year and day to hike Cathedral Rock.
Bottom line—hike Cathedral Rock when you can. On shuttle days, catch the shuttle, which also functions as a helpful crowd control for the trail. On non-shuttle days, arrive early to snag a spot at the trailhead. Or opt for one of my alternative parking suggestions above if you do not want to wait in your car for a hiker to return and a parking spot to open.
In terms of times of year, I hiked this trail in December on a lovely and party sunny day that changed to cold rain only after we got in our car and drove back to our hotel. The prevailing wisdom is that this trail is best hiked in spring and fall when the temperatures are mild, and the weather is generally pleasant. However, wearing layers, a hat, and gloves that I could shed as needed, I had a lovely and very comfortable experience on the trail in winter.
Though—for the scorching summer months, avoid the worst heat of the day on this unshaded trail, which can reach well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and only hike early in the morning or late afternoon. Another perk of hiking at these times is the sunlight will be indirect and the crowds smaller, making for better photos.
Scenic viewpoints and photo opportunities.
Although you can catch exceptional red rock desert vistas at nearly any point as you ascend the trail, there are three specific viewpoints you will not want to miss.
The first is at the “End of trail” sign, a picturesque viewpoint referred to as the “saddle,” a flat ridge that separates the two main spires of Cathedral Rock. From here, feel rewarded for your efforts with panoramic views of the valley below framed by towering red rock formations. This spot is also ideal for a break, to refuel, and to enjoy a rest. We stopped at the saddle to dig into our picnic lunch sandwiches and savor the incredible view.
Then, as you look out from your viewpoint on the saddle, you will see an area referred to as the “ledge” on the right. Along this side of the canyon wall is a wider-than-it-looks walkway. During busy times, you will see loads of hikers walking out to it and using it as a spot to pose for photos. I am a non-thrill-seeking and risk-averse hiker, and I comfortably walked out to the ledge area so my friend could snap a few pics of me. We even asked a hiking couple to take photos of the two of us, returning the favor and doing the same for them.
Finally, for the third view, veer left on the saddle, following the trail along the canyon wall, climbing up one final scramble along a narrow incline to reach the “Pillar,” known as the site of the Cathedral Rock vortex, offering another fantastic view.
What to bring and staying safe on a Cathedral Rock hike.
Here are the top essentials to bring on a Cathedral Rock hike:
1. Ample water: Even if you plan to hike in the winter as we did, you will get thirsty from the exertion and the dry environment, so bring enough water to stay hydrated. In the summer, the desert heat can be unforgiving, so carry—at a minimum—one liter (34 ounces) of water and ideally 1.5 liters.
2. Snacks and picnics: Bring lightweight, high-energy snacks—think nuts, trail mix, and energy bars, along with a packed lunch. We carried snacks and to-go panini sandwiches that we ate on the saddle.
3. Sun protection: The Arizona sun can be intense, even in the spring and fall, so protect yourself with sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Consider wearing lightweight, breathable clothing that covers your skin to prevent sunburn.
4. Layers and rain protection: If you are hiking in the winter, as we did, bring layers you can discard as you go or slip into as the weather changes. On our December hike, I wore leggings, a zip-up jacket over a t-shirt, a winter cap, and gloves. You can see what I wore for most of my Sedona hikes in this review of KÜHL clothing, where I share my thoughts on their jacket and pants. Additionally, despite being an arid environment in Sedona, it can rain. And rain heavily, which it did after we returned to our car after our Cathedral Rock hike. Carry a light rain jacket in your day pack, just in case.
5. Sturdy hiking shoes: You will appreciate having good treads on the smooth rock, particularly when scrambling. My go-to hiking footwear are these long-lasting Oboz low waterproof hiking shoes.
6. Navigation tools: Bring a map or a GPS device to help you navigate the trail. Although this trail is well-marked, it is always a good idea and a best safety practice to have a backup in case you lose your way. My preferred navigation tool is AllTrails. I pay annually for an AllTrails+ membership, allowing me to download their contour hiking maps and save them to my phone. I reference these maps and record and GPS track my progress offline to avoid draining my cell battery while hiking. Doing this shows me when I accidentally go off trail and helps me retrace my steps when needed.
7. First aid kit: To practice good trail safety, always bring along a basic first aid kit with essentials such as band-aids, antiseptic wipes, and any necessary medication. Then, specifically for Sedona and similar desert environments—a pair of tweezers in case your skin and cactus needles inadvertently come into contact.
Other hikes and things to do in the area.
While Cathedral Rock is undoubtedly a must-do hike in Sedona, there are countless trails and activities to explore and experience. Here are a few suggestions:
Bell Rock: A short six-minute drive from the Cathedral Rock trailhead, Bell Rock offers more hiking and iconic red rock formations and is known for its energy vortex. The Bell Rock Trail is a moderate 1.9-mile loop that takes you around the base of the rock.
Slide Rock State Park: If you want to cool off after a hike, head to Slide Rock State Park—a natural water park featuring natural water slides. Spend the day soaking in the sun, sliding down the rocks, and swimming in Oak Creek.
Boynton Canyon Trail: Since on this recent trip to Sedona, my friend and I were staying at Enchantment Resort in Boynton Canyon, we walked part of this trail, which runs adjacent to the resort. It is a 7.2-mile out-and-back trail that you can walk to the end to see an overlook and take spur trails up to the picturesque Subway Cave or the Vista trail, another Sedona vortex site. See a quick clip of our Boynton Canyon hike below with helpful tips in the caption on how to make the most of this hike.
Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village: If you crave a hiking break, want a nice meal, and would love to indulge in some vacation-inspired shopping, visit the Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village. Explore its art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants under the comfort of shade in this charming outdoor shopping district.
In addition, know that the Cathedral Rock trail is part of an interconnected hiking area. See a photo of a trail sign showing the linked area trails, rating each for difficulty, and displaying trailheads with parking. Follow any of these trails to extend your hiking and your day.
Related reading.
Are you planning a trip to Sedona? Or do you love hiking? If yes, check out these related articles. Get more destination ideas, itinerary suggestions, and tips to arrange your travel and get out the door on future trips with less hassle.
- Why You Will Love Enchantment Resort: A Review (in Sedona)
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