Hiking Sedona

If you know me, you know that I love to hike. This year I got the opportunity to hike the Grand Canyon with some other pastors. It was honestly a dream come true for me. I loved every minute of it, even though it was the hardest physical thing I have ever done.

To prepare for the Grand Canyon I started hiking everywhere I could think of, and one of the things I wanted to do, was to hike some lesser-known trails around Sedona. So I purchased the All Trails App on my phone and looked for trails I had never heard of. I wanted to share some of those amazing trails that I discovered. So many times when you come to Sedona you end up hiking all of the tourist trails. So here are a few that are a bit off the beaten path and some that actually lead you to the more well-known trails.

1.  Transept Trail

If you like to hike moderately difficult trails this is one for you. This has quickly become one of my favorite trails.  This trail starts off easy, but eventually, it begins to climb. But when you get to the top you have some of the most amazing views you could ever see of Sedona. On one side you have the golf course and on the other side are miles of red rock views.

If you follow the trail long enough it will eventually take you all the way to Cathedral Rock, but that is like a 12-mile hike from start to finish.  I love this trail because it is both challenging and rewarding.

2.  The Baldwin Trail And Templeton Trail

As I was getting ready to hike the Grand Canyon, I wanted to hike to the top of Cathedral Rock.  I thought this would be a good place to do some elevation hiking.  My daughter, Taylor, and I love to hike together. It is the one big thing that the two of us love to do together. They are always great times for us to connect and just talk about so many things.

Taylor and I decided to hike to the top of Cathedral Rock one Monday night, but, as usual, you can’t get anywhere close to the parking lot. So I looked up trails that we could take to get there and we stumbled across the Baldwin, Templeton trail.

This trail starts behind Cathedral Rock and meanders along Oak Creek. It is a beautiful hike along the creek. One thing we were not prepared for was all the switchbacks we had to take to get to the trail that would lead us to Cathedral Rock.

By the time we got to Cathedral Rock and the start of the trail that takes you to the top I was so tired and worn out that I was not feeling well.  My daughter kept saying come on Dad, if you can’t do this you can’t do the Grand Canyon, of course, she was right. So off we went, climbing to the top. About halfway up I didn’t think I was going to make it, but Taylor kept encouraging me, and low and behold we finally made it to the top. I am so glad that we did because once again it was some of the most breathtaking views you could ever get of Sedona.

I also learned a valuable principle that day. It is so much easier to push on when you have others around you. The Bible teaches us that concept all throughout scripture. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says: Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. It is so much easier to accomplish things in life when you have others around you encouraging you to push on.

3.  The Broken Arrow Trail

This trail is not necessarily unknown, but it is usually used by off-road vehicles. What I love about this trail is how easy it is and for all the other trails that it leads to. If you are looking for an easy hike with great views this is the one for you.

As you are hiking Broken Arrow you can connect with the trail that will take you to Chicken Point. You can also access the trail that will take you to the high-line trail which is primarily used by mountain bikers. 

The trail that my family loves to take is the trail that leads to submarine rock. It is an easy trail, not very long, and so rewarding at the end. We love to climb all over submarine rock. It’s a great place for a short quick beautiful hike. 

4.  The Mescal Trail

This is probably my favorite hike when I hike alone.  I like to do the loop from the Mescal trail to the Long Canyon trail to Deadman’s Pass back to the Mescal trail.  There is a nice parking lot at the trailhead and always seems to have parking available.

This trail is not really a hard trail to hike, it has a bit of elevation change, but nothing too difficult.  I love this trail because it does have some great views of the secret wilderness area.

If you love to hike, Sedona is one of the greatest places on earth to go. The beauty of the Red Rocks is breathtaking. Many times, when you reach your destination and you take a few minutes to look around you see some of the most amazing views in the entire world.

Hiking for me is also a way to clear my mind. When I have a lot going on and I just need to think, I go on a hike.  Hiking has also been a great time to connect with my kids and talk about life. My daughter Taylor and I have had some of the best conversations a dad and daughter could ever have.

So get out there and enjoy God’s creation!