7 Easy Yet GORGEOUS Hikes in Sedona
If you’re an avid hiker, you will absolutely love Sedona and her incredible collection of gorgeous red mountains and exciting trails.
And if you’re not really a hiker, traveling with young kids, or just need something simple to fill out your itinerary, the good news is that there are plentiful options for short and easy hikes in Sedona.
I consider myself a pretty solid hiker, but I still love doing quick and easy hikes that give me a quick adrenaline rush and get me to the best views quickly.
Plus, because it is Sedona, even the short hikes on this list don’t compromise on great views or engaging trails. Everything is just fabulous in Sedona.
These are all hikes I’ve personally done and loved. Let’s jump into the list!
7 Top Short and Easy Hikes in Sedona
1. Secret Slick Rock
Secret Slickrock Trail is a very short hike offering stunning views of Cathedral Rock. You get great views of Cathedral as you hike through a small juniper grove trail, and some fantastic views of Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock as well.
(Note: The Cathedral Rock trail and Bell Rock trail are both short hikes, but they are very intense. The payoff is amazing though!)
The main trail is just 0.7 miles round trip and leads to a large flat rock expanse. Here, you can enjoy panoramic vistas before deciding whether to extend your hike or returning. If you choose to continue, you can follow a little ridge that offers views of the valley towards the west. This addition only adds about 0.5 miles to the total hike.
This is the easiest trail on this list, making it perfect for families with young children, as you can admire spectacular rock formations without the challenge of a strenuous hike – but those same viewpoints make the trail worth the quick stop for anyone.
Trail Stats
- Distance: 0.7 miles (1.2 miles with optional extension)
- Elevation Gain: 78 feet
2. Fay Canyon
The Fay Canyon trail is a stunning hidden gem in Sedona, offering beautiful red rock vistas and few visitors.
The trail is mostly flat and open, with views of red cliffs as you venture deeper into the canyon. A highlight of this trail is the Fay Canyon Arch, located off an unmarked spur trail about 0.6 miles in. The climb to the arch is very short, but rocky and steep, but the arch is very pretty.
After visiting the arch, continue on the main trail as the canyon walls continue to surround you. A sign marks the official trail end while you are still in the middle of the forest, but the best views are just beyond this point. Continue past the sign to a large anvil-shaped rock formation and scramble up for incredible views back down the canyon.
If you’re up for a little more adventure, you can walk along a ledge on the left side of the anvil-shaped rock to go deeper into the canyon, until you get to a curved rocky overhang.
This hike is particularly lovely in the evening when the soft light makes the rocks glow. While overall I would classify Fay Canyon as an easy hike, the arch and anvil rock could be considered moderately difficult sections.
>>Explore Nearby: Doe Mountain is just a couple minutes down the road from Fay Canyon, and while I would classify it as a short but moderate hike, the sunset views are amazing!
Trail Stats
- Distance: 2.4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 298 feet
3. Marg’s Draw
Marg’s Draw Trail is a scenic hike that showcases the natural beauty of Sedona as it winds its way through the Munds Mountain Wilderness. The trail is known for its picturesque views of the surrounding red rock formations, making it a popular choice for hikers of all skill levels.
The trail meanders through an open sparse forest of juniper trees and cacti that winds around Snoopy Rock, the large mountain in front of you for the majority of the hike.
What I loved most about this hike, though, were the phenomenal views looking back across Sedona and to the mountain range to the north.
This hike is pushing the limits on what I count as an easy hike, as it’s 4 miles round trip. This distance is from the official trailhead at the Broken Arrow parking lot, but I actually parked at this secondary parking lot, which shaved a mile off the hiking, making it 3 miles.
Additionally, I felt like the views on the last mile weren’t that much different than the first 2, so you could certainly just park at the secondary lot, hike a mile in and turn around, and you’d have experienced the best part of the trail.
Trail Stats
- Distance: 3 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 348 feet
4. Andante Loop
The Andante Loop is a delightful hike that makes a loop right in the shadow of Thunder Mountain and offers a mix of scenic views and diverse terrain, making it a great choice for hikers of all ages.
As you hike the Andante Loop, you’ll pass through open areas with sweeping vistas and sections where you’re more in a juniper and pine forest, with some shade (depending on the time of day).
The trail provides spectacular views of Chimney Rock and the Teacup Rock as you hike. I particularly loved Teacup Mountain – it’s such an interesting shape! And of course, you’ll always be able to see Thunder Mountain as you hike.
Trail Stats
- Distance: 2.8 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 243 feet
5. Birthing Cave
Birthing Cave is a fascinating and relatively easy hike that offers unique views and a bit of adventure. This trail leads to a cave with a distinctive teardrop shape that provides a stunning vantage point of the surrounding landscape.
There are several different ways to get to Birthing Cave, but the easiest is to hike on Long Canyon Trail.
As you hike, you’ll pass two different signs saying “trail” and pointing the way to go. Follow the first, but when you get to the second “trail” sign, you’ll actually ignore the sign and follow an unmarked offshoot trail to the left.
You’ll need to scramble up a short but steep section and then you’ll be in the cave!
While the views are nice from the entrance, you’ll need to scramble up the back of the cave wall to a little ledge to get the best view. From there you can really appreciate the entire cave, its distinctive shape, and the views to the mountains in the distance.
Trail Stats
- Distance: 3 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 387 feet
- Parking: At the Long Canyon Trailhead
6. West Fork
West Fork Oak Creek is an idyllic hike along a stream in a tall, red canyon in north Sedona. The hike is gentle and the scenery is really spectacular, making it a great easy hike in Arizona.
The trail moves through the forest alongside the river, with 13 river crossings. The river crossings are very manageable – with stones or logs to step on, and are the best parts of the hike. You’ll get to admire the tall, sheer, red canyon walls, green trees, and the gently flowing stream.
Alternatively, you can also choose to hike directly in the river, and this is a pouplar option, particularly during warmer months. The stream is usually ankle-deep or a little higher, with a mostly flat rock bed.
The entire hike is 6.5 miles, but you definitely do not need to do the entire trail, since there’s not a particular endpoint you’re trying to reach. Many people choose to do a mile or two and then turn around.
Trail Stats
- Distance: 6.5 miles round trip, but you can easily choose as much or as little to do
- Elevation Gain: 564 feet
- Parking: There is a fairly large lot that holds 30-40 cars, but it does fill up in the morning. It costs $12/car, or $3/person walk-in fee
7. Adobe Jack Trail
The Adobe Jack Trail is a pleasant 1.8-mile loop that winds through a forested area – probably the most forested hike on this list besides West Fork.
The trail is actually a loop and combines the Adobe Jack and Coyote Loop trails, and you’ll enjoy a nice forest hike along with scenic views of the Sedona mountains, and in particular Thunder Mountain.
Trail Stats
- Distance: 1.8 miles
- Elevation Gain: 127 feet
- Parking: This is a particularly small lot, with just 5-6 dedicated spots near a hotel in the middle of West Sedona
The Wrap Up
I was SO impressed with the hiking trails in Sedona, and particularly that the easy trails still had great views and interesting trails. These quick hikes are a great addition to your time in Sedona!
>>Looking for another fun, non-hiking activity in Sedona? Go on a jeep tour!
>>Prefer a scenic drive to an epic overlook? Consider visiting Edge of the World!
>>Another unique hike in Sedona? Hike to Keyhole Cave!
