Cathedral Rock

Cathedral Rock is a storied Sedona hike. For starters, this impressive red rock formation is one of Sedona’s most recognizable sites. Beyond that, the views are truly spectacular. You’re both up close to the red rocks, and you get to take in sweeping vistas of Sedona’s red rocks. The Forest Service also just finished up some maintenance on Upper Cathedral Rock last month, and we couldn’t wait to hit the trail again. The Cathedral Rock Trailhead is located at Back O’ Beyond Road, and the trail basically starts climbing as soon as you leave the parking lot. After only 0.18 mile, you hike out of a juniper and piñon-pine forest onto the red rock base of Cathedral Rock. From here, you’ll be following cairns – wire baskets filled with rocks – as you climb to the saddle between Cathedral’s spires and its dome.

The 1.2-mile, out-and-back Cathedral Rock trail is a short and challenging hike that requires plenty of scrambling or rock climbing. If you’re hiking this trail in the rain, exercise caution as the rocks get slippery.

Cathedral Rock Trail intersects with Templeton Trail at 0.22 mile. Follow the signs and stay left. You’ll soon reach a large fissure in the rock face. This is where things can get really slick. You’ll need to use your hands and feet to shimmy up the crack. Alternately, you can end your hike here and still enjoy stellar views of the Chapel Area. If you’re brazen, begin your ascent. There are actually two fissures you’ll need to negotiate, one right after the other, but the trail becomes more manageable after you reach the top of this section. The views really start to get good once you’ve worked your way through the cracks. You’ll continue to climb; keep your eye on the cairns – it’s easy to get off-trail in this area. Enjoy views of Airport Mesa, the Chapel of the Holy Cross, the Nuns formation, Lee Mountain, the Rabbit Ears and Courthouse Butte. After hiking 0.68 mile, you’ll reach the saddle of Cathedral Rock. If you thought the views were breathtaking this far, just wait until you get to your destination. Below you, Oak Creek winds its way through red rock knolls and leafless trees.

A scene from the iconic Sedona hike, Cathedral Rock.

Mingus Mountain and Jerome are also easy to spot. Take the trail to your right (watch out for cactus that grow very close to the trail), and sit on a point perched above a sheer drop. When you’ve had your fill of that vista, go back the way you came and then take the trail that goes left. You’ll need to scramble over some slippery rocks, but you’ll wind up at a point that faces one of Cathedral Rock’s soaring spires. Return the way you came. The entire out-and-back trail is about 1.2 miles long.