Sedona Arizona, Hiking The Cathedral Rock Trail
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Alright so you want to take a trip to the desert and are looking for cool outdoor places to do some hiking. Sedona, located in the Arizona desert caught my attention and is one of the more unique and cool places to take an outdoor trip. Located about an hour south of Flagstaff and two hours north of Phoenix, Sedona sits at 4,350 feet/1,326 meters. Surrounded by Canyons, Mesas, Buttes, and Desert mountains, the area has been nicknamed the Red Rock country. Due to the landscape and climate, it is a place that has become a more popular spot for hikers, mountain bikers, photographers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Although when I was there it didn’t feel overly crowded, especially during the week.
The city of Sedona (more like a big town) is filled with shops, restaurants, art galleries, and psychic readings. Just outside the town are plenty of cool hiking trails that offer endless views, amazing sunsets, and awesome desert landscapes. One of the shortest yet more challenging hikes is Cathedral Rock. Also, this hike is pretty amazing if you do it at sunset. In this post I’ll be going over how to get to the trailhead, what to expect, best time of the year to visit, and trail information. Alright lets goooo.
Where is the Trailhead
Trailhead Coordinates: 34.8251479, -111.7885397
Only about 10 minutes south of downtown Sedona, get on 179-S, and then veer right through the roundabout onto Back O Beyond road. You will see a parking lot on the left (don’t worry if it’s full) there is another lot further down on the left. Once you’re parked, you’ll see the trailhead on the right.
One thing to note is Thursday through Sunday the trailhead is closed for parking and you will have to take a shuttle to the trail. So if you’re trying to do a sunrise or sunset hike it will have to be done Monday-Wednesday. You will park at the North SR-179 park and ride. The shuttle starts running at 8:00 am with the last shuttle at 6:20 pm. For more information visit Sedonashuttle.com.
Is Parking Free
Shuttle parking is free, however if you park at the trailhead you’ll need a Red Rocks Pass. These can be purchased online at Recreation.gov. Daily rates are $5, $15 for the week, and $20 for the year.
Trail Information
National Forest- Coconino
Length- 1.2 Miles/2 km
Trail Type- Out and Back
Elevation Gain- 741 Feet/226 meters
Dogs- Must be on a leash
When is the best time to hike Cathedral Rock
The best time would be in the morning or evening, because of the sun. It is a pretty exposed hike with a lot of vertical to climb. Therefore I would recommend doing it when the sun isn’t as intense. There’s two parking lots at the trailhead and they can fill up quicker for sunset hikes. So make sure to show up earlier in the evening or afternoon (depending on when the sun sets).
Hiking this trail during sunset is also the best time for photography. When you get to the top you will see other like minded photographers and possibly couples shooting their wedding or engagement photos. If you get to the top earlier for the sunset you can also grab a good spot before more people show up. Lastly, be respectful towards other people looking to get photos. Everyone is pretty friendly and if you need someone to move to get a shot, just ask nicely. Or if you are by yourself and are looking to get a photo just ask others around you. The majority of people are friendly.
What is the trail like and what should we expect when hiking it
The first thing to note is even though the hike is only 1.2 miles out and back, there’s a portion of the hike that feels more like rock climbing. You’ll spend some time on your hands as you hike up, so be prepared for that. Make sure to have proper hiking footwear, enough water, a headlamp and some snacks. I’ll have a small packing list at the end of this blog
As you start hiking, the trail starts out pretty flat and you can see the top of Cathedral Rock, your end destination. Don’t get discouraged when you see how far you have to hike. It is not as far as you think. As you begin the trek you’ll first come up on a canyon floor that gives you 360 degree views of the surrounding desert landscape. After the canyon floor is when the hike starts to increase in elevation pretty quickly. This is also the part of the hike where you need to use your hands to get up parts of the trail. Since this portions of the trail are on red rock, make sure to follow the painted white lines to guide you in the correct direction.
After you climb up on your hands and knees the trail flattens out and by this point you are about halfway up. Take a breather and enjoy the scenery. From here up, the hike is pretty mellow. Continue to follow signage and towards the top you will hike up a set of stairs. Once at the top you will see areas that you can sit to enjoy the views. You’ll immediately be able to tell why the trail got its name, the large red sandstone butte looks like a giant Cathedral.
The views at the top make this hike worth it. You’ll also notice a narrow ledge on the right that you can take photos on. There’s a chance you will see other photographers doing this. Just make sure to be careful because this ledge has a steep drop off. I wouldn't recommend walking on it if it’s snowy, raining, or windy.
What tips do you have when Hiking Cathedral Rock
Make sure to bring enough water- This hike will get your blood pumping, so make sure to pack a water bottle and some snacks
Proper Footwear- I saw a lot of people with the incorrect footwear when hiking in Sedona. I would avoid tennis shoes and sandals. A good hiking boot with proper ankle support will work best. I’ll have a packing list below.
Wear Good Hiking apparel- Try to stay away from cotton. Brands such as Patagonia, Fjallraven, and Burton all make great outdoor gear. The right hiking shorts or pants will make all the difference when hiking a trail like this. You typically want something that is stetchy, breathable, durable, and wicks moisture. I would also recommend bringing a jacket with you
Bring a headlamp if hiking for Sunrise or Sunset- Highly recommend this, especially if you plan on hiking in the evening. A headlamp will free up your hands so I would avoid a cellphone flash lights and regular flash lights.
Plan to arrive early for a Sunset hike- Get to the top early if you want a good seat to catch the sunset. I would try to arrive a couple hours before the sun sets. Also make sure to check the weather beforehand. Planning before you go will make you experience much more enjoyable.
Know your ability level- I wouldn’t consider this an easy hike. Know your ability level with steeper hikes that have a larger elevation gain.
Bring a camera- If you have a camera this a great spot to shoot some photos whether it’s digital or film.
What to Pack
1. Hiking footwear- It’s important to have a hiking shoe or boot with good traction and support. Stay away from tennis shoes when doing hikes like this. Hate bulky hiking boots? Check out the Free Hiker from Adidas. This hiking shoe has great traction with Primeknit material to give your feet good support while trekking different trails.
2. Sunscreen- Since you’re at a higher elevation and in the desert, it’s important to pack this. I like SunBum out of Encinitas California.
3. Water Bottle- It’s important to stay hydrated when hiking in the desert, especially on this hike with the elevation gain. I use Hydroflask because it keeps water cold for up to 24 hours.
4. Packable Jacket- If you plan on doing a sunrise or sunset hike I would pack a lightweight jacket that is still warm. Burtons Baker down jacket packs into its left pocket with a double sided zipper. You can attach it to a book bag or packet it into a bag.
When hiking back down watch your footing and use your headlamp if needed. You’ll have to crawl down on your backside on the steeper parts, but it isn’t too bad. Enjoy the last bit of the sunset before heading back to the parking lot and chances are you might get a cotton candy sky.
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Looking for other hikes in Sedona? Check out Soldiers Pass, filled with seven sacred pools, devils sinkhole, and Soldiers Cave.
