Sedona, Arizona Travel Guide from the HRG Photography Team
Hiking in the beautiful landscape of Sedona, Arizona is something to behold in your life time. After living here for 10 years I’ve found my favorites that may not be on others “top” hikes. I sure do love Cathedral Rock and Devil’s Bridge but with the rise of instagram and social media those hikes have gotten out of hand and overly populated. I suggest to do those hikes at sunrise if you really want to do them as to avoid other hikers. The hikes below are my favorites and places I take family or friends when they come to visit. I also do these hikes regularly on my own just for the peaceful beauty that Sedona offers all times of the year.
Top 3 Favorite Hikes in Sedona:
1.Doe Mountain
1.5 mile out + back steep hike takes you up to a platform with 360 views of the red rocks in West Sedona! I love to take a picnic or sandwich from Hill Top Deli or a smoothie from Local Juicery right around the corner before you head to the trailhead to enjoy at the top. This 30 min hike up is a quick but beautiful hike to enjoy with friends, kids, and dogs! There is a large platform where I suggest walking across either to the north or south to see all points of view at the top.
- Hike Distance: 1.5 mile out and back
- Hike difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 511 ft
- Dog Friendly: Yes on leash
- Parking: large trailhead parking lot. Required $5 Red Rocks parking pass
- Great for sunset
2. Chicken Point
via Bro ken arrow to High Hog to Hog Wash loop
This fun trail is known for mountain bikers but also hikers and runners! 4.6 mile loop will take you about 2 hours to complete. There are places of long stretches of flowy sand trails and some climbing at the end over rocks. It will take you to a beautiful view of the south side of Sedona and all her glory with great large platforms. This hike can be busy but also because of it’s length you will not always see people.
- Hike Distance: 4.6 mile loop
- Hike difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 557 ft
- Dog Friendly: Yes on leash
- Parking: large trailhead parking lot. Required $5 Red Rocks parking pass
- Great for sunset
3. Seven Sacred Pools
via Soldiers Pass
This is one of my favorite easy hikes to see great views and the uniqueness of sedona landscape! With these large pools and rock formations that can fill with water on rainy monsoon days before, it’s a sight to see! Takes about 1.15 mins to complete. So not an all day adventure but it is location in central/west Sedona area!
- Seven Sacred pools
- Hike Distance: 2.8 mile out + back
- Hike difficulty: Easy
- Elevation Gain: 403 ft
- Dog Friendly: Yes on leash
- Parking: Secret Mountain Wilderness charges a fee to enter. The Red Rock Pass fees are per vehicle per day, or per week. You can also purchase an annual pass
Tips for hiking in Sedona:
- ALWAYS BRING WATER! Always. The desert is deceiving.
- Bring snacks just incase
- Stay on trail to ensure best health of the land
- You won’t get cell reception all the time, so download the map on All Trails for offline
- Sunset or sunset is always the best time to see the beauty of Sedona in my opinion
- Be quiet on the trail. Listen to the sounds around you. Remember we are only visiting this land, we do not own it.
