17 Greatest Easy Sedona Hikes
Hiking is definitely one of the best ways to connect with your surroundings and if your surroundings look the way Sedona looks, then it’s even better. We found the red rocks of Sedona to be one of the most beautiful places to hike because of the amazing trails and breathtaking mountains of red rock. Easy Sedona hikes are a great way to see the red rocks while still having a relaxing time in nature.
Sedona has over 400 miles of trails and so there are many hiking options for everyone no matter your experience and your fitness level. Sedona is also world-famous for vortexes so read through our guide to find out more about vortexes and to find out which trails are best to discover these vortexes.
Table of Contents
What is the easiest hike in Sedona?
What is the most popular hike in Sedona?
Easy Sedona hikes
What are vortexes?
What is the best vortex in Sedona?
Hikes in Sedona with Water
What is the best time to go hiking in Sedona?
Is it free to hike in Sedona?
What should you bring for hikes in Sedona?
Where to Stay in Sedona?
Hiking Tours from Sedona
The Wrap-Up: 17 Greatest Easy Sedona Hikes
What is the easiest hike in Sedona?
The easiest hike in Sedona in our opinion is Devil’s Kitchen because it has the least elevation gain and miles. Although it’s a really short easy hike the views are really nice. You can read more about it here.
What is the most popular hike in Sedona?
The most popular hike in Sedona is Devil’s bridge. It is considered a moderate hike but the view from the bridge is absolutely stunning and totally worth it. Read more about it here.
17 Greatest Easy Sedona hikes
1. Seven Sacred Pool via Soldier Pass Trail
- Distance: 1.1 miles
- Elevation gain: 108 feet
- Type of trail: Out and Back
Seven Sacred Pool is one of the easiest hikes in Sedona and it takes you to 7 pools. You will go over small rock staircases and flat gravel while on the trail. One thing to keep in mind about the Seven Sacred Pool trail is that the trailhead opens at 8 am and closes at 6 pm.
You can enter a little earlier sometimes and leave slightly later than 6 pm but just keep that in mind. Some cars have even been towed, and you definitely don’t want to have to deal with the headache! Another tip is that if you can do the hike after it rains, you will be able to see the pool filled with water!
2. Sugarloaf Loop Trail
- Distance: 1.9 miles
- Elevation gain: 354 feet
- Type of trail: Loop
Sugarloaf Loop Trail offers you a 360 view of the whole valley and it’s easy for all levels of hikers as well as pets. It’s a little steep up to the summit but it’s definitely doable for everyone. The trail is not very well marked everywhere so make sure to download an offline map in case you miss a mark.
The parking lot has only 15 spots so make sure to get there early. Sedona has gotten extremely popular for hiking over the past couple of years, so it can be difficult to get parking if you don’t show up early enough.
3. Fay Canyon Trail
- Distance: 2.6 miles
- Elevation gain: 383 feet
- Type of trail: Out and Back
Fay Canyon Trail takes you to see beautiful rock formations such as the Fay Canyon Arch, canyon walks, and box canyons. Some parts are a little bit rocky because it crosses old dry creek beds. It is an easy shaded hike and if you want, you can go close to the arch and even climb it, but be careful, it’s slippery!
4. Devil’s Kitchen
- Distance: 0.4 miles
- Elevation gain: 39 feet
- Type of trail: Out and Back
Devil’s Kitchen is the easiest hike in Sedona.
It is kid and dog friendly but it is poorly marked in some spots so download the offline map before you go on the trail. Parking near the trailhead is limited so make sure to get there early (the parking lot opens at 8 am). Because it is a very short and easy hike, another strategy for parking if you can’t find any is to make some loops in the parking lot until someone leaves.
5. Soldiers Pass Cave Spur Trail
- Distance: 2.8 miles
- Elevation gain: 541 feet
- Type of trail: Out and Back
Soldiers Pass Cave Spur Trail is a nice trail that features a cave. You will ascend a bit drastically to get to the cave which could be a little rough for new hikers, but it is definitely doable! It could also get crowded in the cave so make sure that you get there early if you want to have the entire place for yourself.
6. Baldwin Trail
- Distance: 2 miles
- Elevation gain: 216 feet
- Type of trail: Loop
Baldwin Trail is one of the easy Sedona hikes that it’s also very kid-friendly because it has quite a few shaded spots where you could take a break from the sun. We recommend going counterclockwise and if you want, you could take the Red Rock Crossing branch to Oak Creek where you could take a dip. It’s so much fun to take a break from the sun and a refreshing swim during a hot day of hiking!
7. Margs Draw Trail
- Distance: 4 miles
- Elevation gain: 393 feet
- Type of trail: Out and Back
Margs Draw Trail is a longer but still easy hike in Sedona. It has really nice views along the way and is also dog-friendly. Because it is longer than most of the trails on our list, we recommend starting earlier in the day to avoid being out during the heat (especially during Arizona summers).
8. Soldiers Pass Sunrise Trail
- Distance: 1.6 miles
- Elevation gain: 85 feet
- Type of trail: Out and Back
Soldiers Pass Sunrise Trail is a nice easy trail that takes you to multiple beautiful views. It is dog-friendly and it has a picnic area that is wheelchair-accessible.
9. Deadman’s Pass Trail
- Distance: 2.6 miles
- Elevation gain: 265 feet
- Type of trail: Out and Back
Don’t let the name scare you! Deadman’s Pass Trail is a great hike with uneven rocky terrain in some parts but with amazing views. Use the alltrails map because it’s not very well marked and you can easily end up in the wilderness or on Deadman’s Trail rather than Deadman’s Pass Trail.
A really nice thing about this trail is that it’s a less crowded trail but the parking is very limited. If you can’t park at the trailhead, there is a dog park over a mile away from where you could park and walk to the trailhead.
10. Big Park Loop
- Distance: 2.3 miles
- Elevation gain: 170 feet
- Type of trail: Loop
Big Park Loop Trail is an easy hike in Sedona which is well marked. It is not shaded so make sure that you have enough water, a sunhat, and sunscreen. A little bit of a downside is that you have to share the trail with mountain bikers which can be a bit stressful especially at more narrow portions of the trail.
If you are looking for a more peaceful and stress-free trail then from our experience we recommend picking a different trail other than Big Park Loop. However, if you enjoy mountain biking then you will absolutely love this trail!
11. Broken Arrow Trail, Broken Array Spur, and Morgan Road Loop
- Distance: 1.8 miles
- Elevation gain: 187 feet
- Type of trail: Loop
Broken Arrow Trail is a nice short trail that features a couple of red rocks and beautiful views. One thing to keep in mind about the trail is that the 2nd half of it has to follow the Jeep path (which will have many offroading Pink Jeep tours on it) down so we recommend turning around at Morgan Rd.
12. Devil’s Bridge Trail
- Distance: 3.9 miles
- Elevation gain: 521 feet
- Type of trail: Out and Back
The Devil’s Bridge Trail is the most popular hike in Sedona. It features an amazing bridge and it is one of our favorite hikes of all time.
Although it’s technically categorized as being a moderate hike and not an easy hike, we feel from our experience hiking to the bridge that it’s very doable by people of all ages and skill levels. It’s not recommended for people with knee problems because towards the final ascent to the bridge, the climb up could be a little too steep. Other than this portion, the trail follows a very flat and relaxing route.
TIP: if you go for sunrise the views are absolutely out of this world. We got there at 4:57 am and the parking lot was almost full. And this was in the off-season, can you believe that? You can park on the street right outside the parking lot but make sure that you get there early enough so that you don’t have to walk for miles on end just to get to the trailhead.
13. Cathedral Rock Trail
- Distance: 1.2 miles
- Elevation gain: 741 feet
- Type of trail: Out and Back
Cathedral Rock Trail is a short but steep hike that involves scrambling your way up the rocky trail. Be sure to stay on the trail and to wear proper closed-toe boots with a good grip. If you are afraid of heights, don’t look down when you go up. The view from up there is totally worth the hike!
14. Sedona Airport Loop Trail
- Distance: 3.2 miles
- Elevation gain: 416 feet
- Type of trail: Loop
Sedona Airport Loop Trail offers you amazing views of red rocks county. It’s pretty rocky in some parts so make sure that you are careful where you step.
15. Birthing Cave
- Distance: 2 miles
- Elevation gain: 291 feet
- Type of trail: Out and Back
Birthing Case Trail is a pretty short hike that features a cave. It is an easy hike up until the point where you have to climb a little bit to get into the cave. Make sure to use your map to not miss the cut-off to the cave.
16. TeaCup Trail to Coffeepot Rock
- Distance: 2.4 miles
- Elevation gain: 275 feet
- Type of trail: Loop
TeaCup Trail to coffeepot rock is a less-trafficked easy hike in Sedona. The view is really nice and it’s one of the best sunrise hikes in the area. The trail is well marked at first, but it gets a little confusing after that so make sure to use a map.
17. Oak Creek Trail
- Distance: 1.3 miles
- Elevation gain: 45 feet
- Type of trail: Out & Back
Oak Creek Trail is one of the easiest hikes in Sedona. It’s a beautiful hike with a view of the Cathedral Rock. Near the trail, there is also a picnic area with benches and tables as well as restrooms. From here you could also visit Red Rock Crossing Vortex. It is $11 for parking and it opens at 8 am. Take your swimsuit if you want to swim in the river or relax by the water.
What are vortexes?
Vortexes are places that are thought to be areas with high moving energy that are used to heal, meditate, and self-explore. The red rocks of Sedona have been popular vortex locations since the 1960s for many spiritual groups.
Today, they are still very popular for this purpose, but if meditation isn’t your thing, these vortex locations are still worth seeing for their awe-inspiring beauty. Some of the most popular red rocks in Sedona for hiking are considered to be vortexes.
What is the ultimate best vortex in Sedona?
We asked the locals what is the best vortex in Sedona and here are the answers we found. The top 4 vortex hikes take you to Cathedral Rock, Airport Mesa, Boynton Canyon, and Bell Rock.
Those 4 are believed to have a special energy and are the most well-known of the Sedona vortexes.
What is the easiest hike to get to a vortex in Sedona?
Luckily the easy vortex hikes are also some of the best ones:
Cathedral Rock Trail is a 1.2 miles hike and it’s considered moderate. You can read more about it here.
Airport Mesa Trail is a 3.5 miles hike and the same as Cathedral Rock Trail it is considered moderate. You can read more about it here
Bell Rock Trail is a bit longer. The trail is 4.5 miles and it is considered to be a moderate hike.
Hikes in Sedona with Water
West Fork of Oak Creek Trail
- Distance: 6.5 miles
- Elevation gain: 567 feet
- Type of trail: Out & Back
West Fork of Oak Creek Trail is the most popular hike in Sedona that passes a river and is great for relaxing by the water and taking a dip. There are a lot of trees and shade so you can relax there the whole day.
Huckaby Trail
- Distance: 5.7 miles
- Elevation gain: 902 feet
- Type of trail: Out & Back
Huckaby Trail is a moderate hike that has a river and beautiful views. You can swim here or just relax by the water. There are stones to cross if you want to reach the bridge but you’ll need water shoes and the water level will be up until your knees.
What is the best time to go hiking in Sedona?
The best time to go hiking in Sedona is definitely in spring and fall when it is not extremely hot. If you want to avoid crowds, definitely go in the fall. The weather is really nice and there are way fewer tourists.
If you are only able to go in summer, be aware that the temperature could go up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit so please bring a lot of water and sunscreen.
Is it free to hike in Sedona?
Yes, most hikes you can hike for free. However, there are a couple of which you have to purchase a pass from the entrance at the trailhead or at Sedona’s visitor center or even from the hotel that you’re staying at. The Red Rock Passes cost $5/day, $15/week, and $20/year which is an awesome investment if you stay there for a week because there is so much to see.
What should you bring on hikes in Sedona?
Here is what we find to be essential to pack for a day of hiking in Sedona.
Reusable water bottle: Water is so essential especially if you go hiking in Sedona where you’ll be in the sun a lot. We always use our reusable Nalgene bottles because we are easily able to track how much water we are drinking and 50% of the bottle is made from plastic waste.
Hiking boots: We both swear by our Salomon hiking boots and they are an excellent choice for all terrains. They are very durable, good for holding your ankles. We took them everywhere and they performed perfectly! Click here to see Laura’s boots and here for Nick’s. If you aren’t a big fan of hiking boots, then we recommend using a pair of trail runners instead. Salomon has really good one as well. We have this pair in women and men and we absolutely love them.
Hiking poles: They are essential when going down into steel inclines or over rocky terrain. We use them all the time to protect our knees and help throughout the trail. We recommend these ones as they are collapsible and they also come with other accessories.
Sun hat: It is very important to protect you head and your skin from sun while hiking in Sedona where there are almost no trees on a majority of hikes. Nick really likes this sun hat because of how breathable it is.
Sunscreen: It’s an absolute must and we swear by the ones that Le Roche Posay have. We usually use the 60 spf one but they have other options for more or less spf.
Clothing: It really makes a difference if you wear light-colored clothes, especially in summer. Another tip that we have is to wear lightweight and breathable long pants and long sleeve clothes to protect you from the sun. There are so many brands out there that make sun-protect clothes from really light materials.
Flashlight or headlamp: We like to have one in each daypack just in case we stay on a hike longer than we expected. We got the ones from GearLight and we like them.
Snacks: Always make sure to have enough snacks and then some more in case you get lost or a trail takes longer than you expect.
Where to Stay in Sedona?
Upscale: Amara Resort & Spa
Amara Resort & Spa is a 4-star hotel that has a full-service spa and a wonderful pool with a view of the red rocks, a fitness center, and a hot tub. This is a really good choice for couples who want to treat themselves while visiting Sedona.
Mid Range: Arabella Hotel Sedona
Arabella has a small pool and a hot tub that is open year-round. It offers breakfast and it’s good for families with kids because they have nice 4 person rooms and it’s close to the center.
Budget: Green Inn Sedona
Green Inn Sedona has an outdoor terrace and pool. The rooms are pretty big and they also have family rooms.
TIP: Book these hotels in advance. Sedona is a very well-known place for its beauty and there are thousands of visitors each year. The prices are high and they go up even higher during the peak of tourist season.
Hiking Tours from Sedona
Whether you like to travel in a group or solo, joining a Hiking Tour in Sedona could be a really nice experience. You’ll get a guide that’s going to show and explain all the locals secrets and history and you’ll get the chance to make new friends with the same passions as you. Book your tour now!
The Wrap-Up: 17 Greatest Easy Sedona Hikes
If you’re still not sure if a trip to Sedona is worth it, believe us, you’re going to absolutely love it! The beautiful Red Rocks of Sedona are way more than you could even imagine!
Pick one of our easy Sedona hikes and we promise that you’ll love it!