How to Hike Cathedral Rock Sedona, Arizona

When you are looking for an adventurous and challenging hike, then Cathedral Rock Sedona Arizona should be next on your list. It is a steep, but very fun hike up close to one of the most popular landmarks in Sedona.

There are multiple reasons why hiking Cathedral Rock in Sedona should be on everyone’s bucket list: The views from atop overlooking the valley are phenomenal, and it is supposed to be one of the most powerful Sedona energy vortexes. In this spot, the earth’s energy is swirling to the surface and helps people to be creative and find themselves.

Hiking Cathedral Rock was easily one of our most beloved Sedona activities we did during our visit to this breathtaking place in the USA.

Read our complete guide to hike Cathedral Rock including how to get to Cathedral Rock Sedona, parking information for Cathedral Rock Sedona, the best time to hike, and unique tips to make the best of your outdoor adventure in Sedona, Arizona.

Our Other Resources for Sedona:

• 15 Best Things to Do in Sedona, Arizona
• 19 Can’t Miss Hikes in Sedona
• Devils Bridge Sedona: Detailed Hiking Guide
• How to Find the Secret Birthing Cave Sedona, Arizona
• Soldiers Pass Trail: How to Find the Hidden Cave

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What to Bring: Top 5 Hiking Essentials 

How to Get to Cathedral Rock Sedona Arizona

From the center of Sedona, the Cathedral Rock trailhead (Back O Beyond parking lot) is an easy 10 minutes drive. Start by heading south on 89A. At the first traffic circle, take the 3rd exit onto AZ-179 S. In about another mile, you will reach another traffic circle, keep straight on AZ-179 S.

As you continue driving, you will go through 2 more traffic circles. Just keep on AZ-179 S.

On the 5th traffic circle, take the 1st exit onto Back O Beyond Road. Continue for about 0.7 miles and the parking lot will be on your left for the Cathedral Rock trail Sedona.

Parking for Cathedral Rock Trailhead

On Back O Beyond Road you will find 2 parking lots for the Cathedral Rock trail Sedona. The Cathedral Rock trailhead is right off of the first parking lot. If you continue just beyond the first parking area, there is another small parking lot.

Both of these lots are small and do not have tons of parking spots. They fill up quickly, especially during busier times of the year and on weekends.

We arrived around 6:30 AM in July and already had to park in the second parking lot. From this lot, you will walk a very very short path to the trailhead located in the first parking lot.

Top Tip: Since the Cathedral Rocks Sedona trail is kind of short, you can be lucky to catch a spot in the morning (approx. 8:00 – 9:00 AM) when the early morning hikers are leaving. But if you are traveling during the hotter months, you may not want to hike this trail in the middle of the day. The temperatures get very high and there is zero shade along the trail.

What can you do if you don’t find parking for Cathedral Rock Sedona?

If you weren’t lucky enough to find a parking spot the first time around, you have some options:

1. Hike to Cathedral Rock Sedona Arizona from another trailhead (see below).

2. Take another gorgeous nearby hike, e.g. the easy Baldwin Loop Trail with beautiful views of Cathedral Rocks or the easy Mystic Trail which gives you the opportunity to admire the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a chapel built into the red rocks.

3. Come back later or another day to secure a spot and hit the trail.

4. Check out more things to do in Sedona.

What to Expect on the Cathedral Rock Trail Sedona

General Information about Hiking Cathedral Rock in Sedona

Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 1.4 miles
Type of Hike: Out and Back
Elevation Gain: about 700 ft
Location: Back O Beyond Road
Trailhead: Cathedral Rock Trailhead (No.170)
When to Hike: Hiking the Cathedral Rock Sedona is good all year long. The perfect time to hike the Cathedral Rock trail Sedona is in spring and fall, early in the morning.
Red Rock Pass: Yes (Learn more about the hiking fees in Sedona in our Red Rock Pass section)

The trail up Cathedral Rocks is a pretty short trip, about 0.7 of a mile (one way). But don’t underestimate it. It is a steep one that involves a little rock scrambling.

Before you start your Cathedral Rock Sedona hike, stop at the trailhead for a second and look up ahead at Cathedral Rocks. Can you spot all the tiny hikers along the trail? Soon you will be one of them.

Climbing Up Cathedral Rock Sedona Arizona

The trail initially starts out with a slight incline, which will increase quickly during certain parts of the hike.

As we hiked up, we noticed a lot of hikers having a difficult time finding the actual trail. To ensure you are staying on the trail, keep a lookout for the cairns which are easy to spot in the beginning. The cairns on the trail are the large wire baskets filled with rocks. 

These will keep you heading in the right direction. They will be really helpful as you are making your way back down the trail too.

Since you are climbing up a rock formation, there are parts where you won’t find cairns and the trail is not noticeable. Do your best to follow the trail and watch where other hikers go to keep yourself and your environment safe.

You can count on beautiful views during the entire hike, so don’t forget to stop along the way to admire the beautiful red rocks landscape, desert plants, and wildlife. Plus this gives you a reason to take a quick rest, catch your breath, and take a sip of water.

After passing the first plateau, you will come to the rock scrambling section of the trail. Here, you will most likely hit a little or maybe even a long traffic jam because it is nearly impossible to pass a fellow hiker since it requires you to use your hands and feet as you ascend up a short narrow path.

So be patient and respectful to others on the trail.

This section can look a little intimidated, especially when you come down, but it is absolutely doable and a lot of fun.

After you make it through the scrambling section, you will find yourself at the second plateau. Here, you should be free to hike at your own pace again. At this point, you will probably think that you’re close to the end, but the last steady uphill climb to the end of the trail seems to be the longest.

Top Tip: When you like the Cathedral Rock Sedona hikel, you might also be interested in hiking the Soldier Pass Trail and the Devils Bridge Trail.

Just keep enjoying hiking Cathedral Rock in Sedona. When you see the sign that says “End of Trail”, you will know for sure that you made it to the top of the Cathedral Rock hike Sedona. Congratulations!

At The Top of Cathedral Rock Sedona Arizona

Since we started our hike early, we were lucky enough to have the view at the top of Cathedral Rock Sedona all to ourselves. But only for a short time. We took advantage of being alone by snapping some pictures in all the great photo spots.

One of the best photo spots is just a little to the left of the sign. There will be a small flat ledge that is perfect to take some creative shots. Take your time before you begin hiking down Cathedral Rock in Sedona.

To finish up the Cathedral Rocks Sedona hike, just retrace your steps from the way up. Make sure to use the Cairns to stay on track.

Different Options to Hike Cathedral Rock Trail Sedona

Besides hiking Cathedral Rock in Sedona from the Back o Beyond parking lot, which is where the main Cathedral Rock trailhead is located, you have a few other options to extend your Sedona adventure.

1. Red Rock Crossing

To reach Cathedral Rock Sedona from Red Rock Crossing, park at the Crescent Moon Picnic Area. From here, you will want to cross over Oak Creek if the water is low. Then follow the creek towards Cathedral Rock. Eventually, Red Rock Crossing will merge into the Templeton trail which heads to the north side of Cathedral Rocks. The Templeton trail will connect with the Cathedral Rock trail at the parking area on Back O Beyond Road.

This hike to Cathedral Rocks will add a few extra miles and hours on your hike but you will also be able to see more beautiful Sedona landscape. You will be looking at roughly a 4-mile hike in total.

2. Baldwin Trail

The Baldwin trailhead is located on the Verde Valley Road in the Village of Oak Creek. Starting your hike to Cathedral Rock Sedona Arizona from here will also require a Red Rock Pass and a trip on a well-traveled dirt road.

From the Baldwin trail, head towards Red Rock Crossing to meet up with the Templeton trail and Cathedral Rock trail Sedona.

This alternative is a great option if you find yourself without parking at the main Cathedral Rock trailhead. But it will add an additional 3.7 miles to your hike.

3. Yavapai Vista Point

Yavapai Vista Point is located on Highway 179 in Sedona and just about a 10-minute drive from the Cathedral Rock trailhead on Back O Beyond road. Here you will find a pretty large parking lot for Sedona hiking trails which is on the plus side.

From here you can either take the Hermit trail to Templeton trail to Cathedral Rock trail. Or you can take the Slim Shady trail to Templetown trail to Cathedral Rock trail. The first way is the quicker option.

The downside to starting your Cathedral Rock hike Sedona from this location is that it is the longest hike to Cathedral Rocks. It will add 4 miles to your hiking adventure.

More Hiking Trails in Sedona, Arizona

• Devil’s Bridge Trail
  Devils Bridge is a natural sandstone arch. It is easily one of Sedona’s most popular features and trails. There are a few different hiking options to reach the bridge. The best part is you can even take a walk across the arch if you are feeling adventurous. 

• Soldier Pass Trail
  The Soldier Pass trail will lead you into the Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness and to some interesting Sedona features along the way. One of those is the Soldier Pass Cave. This trail will definitely keep your interest the entire time.

• Birthing Cave
  To find the Birthing Cave you actually have to hike on the Long Canyon Trail. It is an easy and short out and back hike. However, to reach the cave you will need to turn off the main Long Canyon Trail- Read more about how to find the Birthing Cave in our detailed post.

Tips for Hiking Cathedral Rock in Sedona

1. Arrive early

Cathedral Rock is one of Sedona’s most famous rock formations, so be aware that a lot of hikers want to get the opportunity to hike this trail.

The best way to beat the crowds is to get up and arrive early at the trailhead. You can hike up in the dawn to enjoy the sunrise from the top or you arrive as soon as the sun rises to get a spot in one of the popular parking lots.

If you are not a morning person, then you will want to go later in the evening when fewer people are trying to hike the trail. You can also bring a headlight and make your way up to see the sun setting down over Sedona.

2. Know the weather

Check the weather conditions, especially the temperature, before you head out to the Cathedral Rock hike Sedona. We did this trail in July, one of the hottest months of the year, and we would not recommend hiking during the middle part of the day.

Temperatures climb up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit and the Cathedral Rock trail Sedona is completely in the sun. There is absolutely no shade on this trail. The best times to hike are early in the morning before the sun is too hot or later in the afternoon/evening when the sun is not so high in the sky.

3. Bring lots of water

As we already mentioned, Sedona is located in the desert and the temperature can be unbelievably high. Enjoying outdoor adventures while it is hot, means you really have to take care of yourself. Know your limits and pack enough water for your hike.

For extra cool water, we carry an insulated water bottle with us. Our Hydro Flask bottle keeps water cold for 24 hours.

Learn more about Hydration Basics to make sure you are packing enough liquids for your hike!

4. Bring appropriate hiking boots and a backpack

This trail will require you to do some rock scrambling, so appropriate hiking footwear is very important. We would definitely recommend wearing over the ankle hiking boots to give your ankle more support on the rocky terrain. We like to wear our Columbia Newton Ridge hiking boots.

Also, make sure to bring a backpack to be able to store all your equipment during the rock scrambling. You will definitely need both of your hands to master this section of the trail.

5. Be respectful of other hikers

The Cathedral Rock trail is considered to be one of the strongest Sedona energy vortexes. For many people, coming to these spiritual spots is the highlight of their stay. Be respectful of others’ search to feel the power of the vortex in this area. Who knows, maybe you will feel it too…

6. Leave No Trace

Anytime you enjoy the outdoors, it is imperative to follow Leave No Trace principles. The general idea is to leave nature the way it is so that the next generations can enjoy it too. Doesn’t that sound pretty awesome?

Learn more about Leave No Trace.

FAQ: Hiking Cathedral Rock Sedona Arizona

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Are there Any Vortexes on the Cathedral Rock Sedona Hike?

If you didn’t know already, many travelers head to Sedona, Arizona for its believed powerful vortexes. Cathedral Rocks Sedona Arizona happens to be 1 of the 4 major Sedona vortexes. To feel the powers and energy of the Cathedral Rock vortex, you will have to hike up to the saddle. 

The Cathedral Rock Sedona vortex is believed to have “feminine energy” due to it being an inflow area. This means the space can bring about feelings of compassion, softness, calmness, and inspiration.

How long does it take to hike Cathedral Rock?

Depending on your hiking pace, it will take anywhere from 40 to 60 minutes to hike one way. It is best to plan at least 2 hours for hiking Cathedral Rock in Sedona.

We suggest planning extra time for taking in the incredible views surrounding Cathedral Rocks Sedona by taking photos and celebrating your accomplishment of making it to the top of Sedona’s most popular rock formation.

Top Tip: Looking for another short hike in Sedona with stunning features? Then check out the Birthing Cave Sedona.

When is the best time to hike the Cathedral Rock Sedona?

The best time to hike Cathedral Rocks Sedona is right before sunrise to avoid crowds and the sun. Plus you may be able to catch a marvelous sunrise view over Sedona. Make sure to start your hike well before the sunrises.

Another option is to hike Cathedral Rock just before sunset to catch the insanely beautiful sunset over Sedona from the top. You will want to start your hike on the Cathedral Rock trail 1-2 hours before the actual sunset to make sure you make it in time.

If you find yourself not able to get on the Cathedral Rock trail during these times, it is suggested to wait to hike in the later afternoon. Then the trail will be more shaded from the sun. 

Top Tip: The best photography times of Cathedral Rock Sedona are during the sunrise and sunset. Sunrise pictures are best taken from the Cathedral Rock Sedona hiking trail. The best sunset pictures can be taken from Red Rock Crossing, Baldwin Trailhead, or Crescent Moon Picnic Area.

How difficult is the Cathedral Rock hike Sedona?

The Cathedral Rock hike Sedona is considered a moderate hike. It is no walk in the park but it is doable by most. There are sections of the trail where you will have to use your hands and feet to climb and rock scramble. However, although it is an uphill climb to the top of Cathedral Rock, there are some areas along the trail which provide relief. 

We would suggest if you are having difficulty with the climb to catch your breath at the different plateaus before continuing on. It is not a race to the top. All that matters is you make it to the top plateau. We saw many families and hikers of all abilities on the Cathedral Rock trail. 

Do you need a Red Rock Pass for the Cathedral Rock Sedona?

You will need a Red Rock Pass or an equivalent pass for this trail. A Red Rock Pass is a permit that is required when utilizing Sedona trails that are on National Forest Land. When a pass is needed, it needs to be visibly placed on your vehicle’s windshield.

The pass can be purchased at a self-serve machine that is located at many of the trailheads, Ranger Stations, the Sedona Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center, and at local businesses in Sedona. It costs $5 for single-day use, $15 for 7 consecutive days, and $20 for 12 consecutive months.

Other passes that are accepted are the America the Beautiful Interagency Pass, Golden Access Pass, and Golden Age Pass.

Can you see Cathedral Rock Sedona without hiking?

Don’t like the hustle and bustle of climbing up a steep trail? Cathedral Rocks Sedona can be easily seen from various locations within Sedona. 

Our favorite spot is the Crescent Moon Day Use Area via Red Rock Crossing Road or the Baldwin Trailhead via Verde Valley School Road.

When you go to the Crescent Moon Day Use Area, you have to pay a day-use fee of $9 per vehicle or a $2 walk-in fee per person but you will get rewarded with beautiful reflections of Cathedral Rock in Oak Creek.

When you park at the Baldwin Trailhead, you will need a Red Rock or equivalent pass. It is a very quick (0.6 mile one way) and easy walk to the Red Rock Crossing where you will be able to snap your perfect picture of Cathedral Rocks Sedona.

Final Thoughts on the Cathedral Rock Trail in Sedona

Honestly, after hiking in Sedona for a couple of days, we were a little intimidated by the reviews we read about the Cathedral Rock trail. We were already exhausted from our previous outdoor adventures but didn’t want to miss out on this must-do hike. And we are so glad we didn’t. 

Yes, some parts of the trail can be draining and strenuous but because of the shortness of the trail, we would still consider it a moderate hike.

This was the only trail that brought us up to 4,967 ft, so we also got the chance to see the red rock scenery from above and got rewarded with beautiful vistas in each section.

Did you make it up to the top of Cathedral Rock Sedona? How strenuous was it for you?

Share your experiences with us or drop a question in the comments below!

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