Sedona’s Five Hardest Hikes

Sedona is a hiking mecca with over 200 hiking trails to explore. If you’re searching for a true challenge, these hikes deliver with heart pumping climbs and breathtaking summit views that will make all the effort totally worth it. Please be prepared before attempting these trails. Bring plenty of water, and make sure you’re physically fit enough to handle these hikes. Here are Sedona’s five hardest hikes.

Bear Mountain
The trail leading up to Bear Mountain is only about 2.5 miles, but it also ascends over 2,000 feet in those few miles – making it one of Sedona’s toughest hikes. The first part of the trail follows the side of a red rock cliff. Watch your footing as it’s steep here. Less than 0.5 miles into your hike, you’ll reach a secluded alcove. From here, turn left to climb over boulders. At about 0.75 miles, you’ll be able to see the top of Courthouse Butte and the spire of Chimney Rock. The views only improve from here. The trail winds its way into a small canyon and then levels out. Many hikers will turn around here at the 1.25 mile mark. To finish the trail, meander through prickly pear cactus and juniper trees. At 2 miles, the trail makes one last final heart-pounding push. Your reward for such a challenging hike? Breathtaking views that stretch all the way to the San Francisco Peaks.

Wilson Mountain is Sedona’s highest peak that also offers red rock views. Photo courtesy of Coconino National Forest Service.

Wilson Mountain
Wilson Mountain is Sedona’s highest peak. If you want to tackle this mountain, be prepared to hike for an entire day. This trail ascends a staggering 2,300 feet – most of that elevation gain happens within the first mile of the roughly 10 mile out-and-back trail. The views are stupendous. They start from the moment you get out of your car and just keep getting better the higher you go. Wilson Mountain has a North and South trail. They both meet roughly at a midway point up the mountain. The North trail offers more shade than the South trail does. At the summit, enjoy sweeping views of Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona, Coffee Pot Rock, Capitol Butte and the entire Verde Valley.

Loy Canyon Trail is one of the rare trails in town that offers solitude. Photo by Deb Weinkauff.

Loy Canyon Trail
The Loy Canyon Trail was originally built in the 1890s to transport cattle to the top of the Mogollon Rim. This historic 10 mile out-and back trail is also one of the rare Sedona trails that offers solitude. The Loy Canyon Trail starts off as relatively flat and sandy as you enter in to the canyon at the 0.5 mile mark. The hike crosses a creek bed a few times and should be avoided if the water is running high. As the trail increases in elevation, the vegetation changes from desert plants to a pine forest. The trees block some of the view, but you can occasionally get glimpses of stunning red rock canyons on both sides.

Hieroglyphics on the Loy Canyon Trail. Photo by Deb Weinkauff.

At 4 miles, you’ll arrive at the base of cliffs forming the Mogollon Rim. Most day hikers turn around here. If you’re up for a strenuous challenge, you’ll ascend more than 1,000 feet in 1 mile and reach the top of the Rim.

Cathedral Rock is one short and steep hike that offers stunning red rock views. Photo courtesy of Coconino National Forest Service.

Cathedral Rock
Oh, Cathedral Rock. It’s easy to why this hard hike is so beloved: It’s short, steep and serves up marvelous red rock views that so many flock to Sedona to see with their own eyes. The trail begins with a steep ascent. At roughly 0.22 miles, the Cathedral Rock Trail intersects with Templeton Trail. Stay left and follow the signs. You’ll quickly be scrambling until you reach the saddle at 0.68 miles. This trail gains over just 600 feet in elevation in 0.7 miles. You’ll soon be rewarded with views of iconic red rock formations including Courthouse Butte, Bell Rock, Lee Mountain and the Rabbit Ears. Head back the way you came for a hike that clocks in at a total of 1.2 miles. This hike does get crowded. It’s mostly exposed with very little shade and is best climbed in the cooler weather months. Despite that, the marvelous and iconic Sedona views make it worth every bit of effort.

Humphreys Peak in Flagstaff is the highest peak in Arizona at 12,643 feet. If you hike this classic trail, be sure to give yourself plenty of time. This trail is about 10 miles long. You’ll also want to be prepared for a high-altitude environment. Photo courtesy of Coconino National Forest Service.

Humphreys Peak
Although not in Sedona, we couldn’t leave this epic Flagstaff hike off this list. Humphreys Peak is the highest mountain in all of Arizona and tops off at 12,643 feet. The trail is 5 to 5.5 miles one way. Be sure to give yourself a full day to hike this. The trail is long, rocky and steep – but worth it for the views that you literally cannot find anywhere else. Given the high elevation, it can snow here at any time of year. You might also get a headache and feel those miles. Pack Advil. You might encounter a monsoon storm during the summer months. Be sure to check the weather report before you head out. Bring a jacket for the top. But above all, soak up the entire experience and views on this classic Arizona hike.