Hiking Cathedral Rock Trail in Sedona: All You Need to Know
Planning on hiking Cathedral Rock trail in Sedona? Here’s everything you need to know for an enjoyable hike in the Red Rocks.
Sedona, Arizona is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Best known for its Red Rock scenery, energy vortexes, spas and wellness retreats and of course a spectacular selection of hikes. For hikers and nature enthusiasts, an outdoorsy trip to Sedona really is a must.
Among all the spectacular hikes in Sedona, there’s Cathedral Rock, one of the most iconic and most popular hikes in Sedona and the Coconino National Forest.
So what is Cathedral Rock? Cathedral Rock is a red rock formation in Sedona. It’s also a Sedona energy vortex, meaning it’s a center of energy that can promote healing and self-exploration.
The Cathedral Rock Trail is a short trail that will take you up to the top of Cathedral Rock or the saddle.
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about the Cathedral Rock Sedona hike from the best time to hike Cathedral Rock to all the alternative routes you can take.
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Best Time to Hike Cathedral Rock Sedona
The best time to hike Cathedral Rock is at sunrise or sunset. At this time, as the sun casts its golden glow onto the Red Rock scenery, the buttes radiate like fire over the landscape. Honestly, it’s difficult to find a more dazzling sight.
Having said that, sunrise and sunset is also the busiest time to visit so it might be quite difficult to find parking and trails will be busier than during the day.
Which season you choose to visit will also have an effect on your trip. The most popular seasons to visit the Sedona area are in the spring and the fall when temperatures are most comfortable for hiking.
At this time you’ll need to factor in a backup plan if you can’t find a spot at the small parking lot at the trailhead.
Winter is much more manageable in terms of fewer crowds and easier parking. I visited Sedona in January and while temperatures were much cooler especially in the evenings and early mornings, we had no issues when finding a parking space.
When hiking Cathedral Rock trail for sunrise or sunset try to get there as early as possible- before first light for sunrise and about 3 hours before sunset.
Also, if you’re in Sedona for a few days make sure to do this hike on a weekday as the trail is a lot busier on weekends.
Need-to-Know Cathedral Rock Hike Basics
↠ Trail time: About 3 hours in and out with time at the summit
↠ Trail length: 1.2 miles total
↠ Difficulty: Moderate. The trail is short but has a pretty steep climb. Be prepared for a rock scramble in one part.
↠ Elevation gain: 650 ft
The trail is well sign posted but at times gets difficult to see especially in low light. You can follow the official rock piles all the way up, they help to navigate the Cathedral Rock trail.
Make sure to bring plenty of water, especially in the warmer months. If it’s really hot, I’d advise to hike the Cathedral Rock vortex for sunrise or sunset to avoid the heat.
Where Do I Park for the Cathedral Rock Hike?
There is one parking area right at the trailhead for Cathedral Rock and another overspill car park just around the bend. Both car parks are on Back O Beyond Road.
The car parks are very small and fit about 50 cars total. In the busier months and at the busier times of the day, most struggle to find a parking spot so make sure to arrive early.
If you can’t find a spot there are a few options. You can take an alternative route and park at a different trailhead. This will make your hike a little longer but still very much doable (more on this below).
Otherwise you can also take the Sedona Shuttle.
The Sedona Shuttle runs from a Park & Ride spot to the Cathedral Rock Trailhead, then to Little Horse trailhead and then back to the Park & Ride. The departure point is at North SR-17 Park and Ride. It only runs from Thursday through Sunday.
The first departure is at 7am and the last departure is at 5.12pm back to the Park & Ride. Unfortunately it doesn’t run during the popular sunrise and sunset times.
If you want to do the Cathedral Rock Trail hike at sunset you’ll be able to ride in on the shuttle but you’ll then need to hike back out. It’s a 1 hours walk from Cathedral Rock Trailhead to the Park & Ride.
Do You Need a Permit for the Cathedral Rock Trail
You don’t need a permit to hike the Cathedral Rock Trail but you do need a pass. You’ll need to display either a Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful Pass on your vehicle dashboard.
Make sure not to forget to put the pass on your dashboard before starting the hike!
Red Rock Pass
If you’re visiting the US you’ll need a Red Rock Pass. You can buy one in advance here or at the ticket machine at the car park on the trailhead.
It’s best to buy a Red Rock Pass for the entire duration of your time in Sedona as you’ll need it for other hikes and trailhead parking. Passes include
Red Rock 1 Day Pass– $5
7 Days Red Rock Pass– $15
12 months pass – $20
America The Beautiful Pass
If you live in the US and you visit National Parks and Monuments often then you probably already have this pass. If so you can display this pass on your dashboard and you won’t need to buy a Red Rocks Pass.
If you’re travelling the US for a while and plan on visiting other National Parks, this pass might be a worthwhile purchase if you don’t already have one.
An America The Beautiful Annual Parks Pass costs $80 (for those aged 16-62). Given that many National Parks entrance fees are $30+ per vehicle, this might save you quite a bit of money over the course of the year.
Note: The America The Beautiful Pass is only for US Citizens and US Permanent Residents.
Hiking Cathedral Rock Trail in Sedona
So what can you expect from the Cathedral Rock trail itself?
After parking and heading past the toilets you’ll soon be on the trail towards the Cathedral Rock Summit. You’ll pass through a dry bed creek and following the trail you’ll soon come to the junction which connects the Cathedral Rock trail with Easy Breezy Red Rock Crossing, Baldwin and Templeton.
If you’re extending you’re hike you might using some of these trails before or after you hike to the Cathedral Rock Summit.
Soon enough you’ll get to the basket cairns which you can follow to keep on the trail. You’ll start to gain elevation as you climb up the rock.
Soon after this you’ll come to the hardest part of the trail which requires some technical scrambling. You’ll need to use your hands up the rock face that sits at about 60 degrees.
If you’re a seasoned hiker or in good physical shape you probably won’t find this too challenging. It could be an issue for those with vertigo, however.
In the winter make sure you take extra care as the rocks can be slippery if it’s wet or icy.
Once you’ve cleared this technical part, you’ll be rewarded with some incredible views of the valley opening up on your left.
At this point there’s just one final push for the summit. You’ll zig zag across another rock face that’s lined with juniper trees. This part of the trail isn’t as steep at the rock scramble.
Soon the incredible view will open out in front of you as you reach the end of the trail. You’ve arrived at the saddle of Cathedral Rock.
At the Summit
When you reach the saddle, you can continue on a short path to your right. Walking along here you’ll get the the end of a steep cliff face. This is an excellent spot for photos.
If you walk along the trail on your left and keep going around another bend, you’ll find another very steep ascent to reach another summit. You’ll find very steep rock walls to either side of you as you climb and at the top, a needle-like pillar of rock right in front of you.
If you’ve headed up for sunrise, you’ll see the sun rise at this second summit over Courthouse Butte.
If you’ve decided to head up for sunset, the best spot for views will be from the saddle of Cathedral Rock, next to the ‘End of Trail’ sign.
At the top, take your time exploring the summit, relax and take in the gorgeous views. There are photo opportunities pretty much everywhere you look. It’s hard to explain just how vibrant and unique this landscape is.
Remember I mentioned that Cathedral Rock is one of four of Sedona’s energy vortexes? Perhaps you might want to explore this, take some time to tune into how you feel, the energy you receive and experience at the summit. Maybe even take some time to sit and meditate or just take some moments for yourself.
Alternative Cathedral Rock Trails
The Cathedral Rock Trail is fairly short. If you want to you can extend your hike by combining the Cathedral Rock Trail with another hiking trail that connects to it for a longer hike.
This might also be a good idea especially in the busier seasons when parking is limited. If you can’t find parking at the trailhead, extending your hike by using an alternative trailhead might be the best option.
Below you’ll find a trail map of the Cathedral Rock surrounding area with all the alternative trails.
Baldwin Trail- Leads from Baldwin Trailhead parking connecting with the Cathedral Rock Trail. This is the shortest extension.
Red Rock Crossing Trail– Similar to the Baldwin Trail, it just originates from the Red Rock Crossing Parking next to the Crescent Moon Picnic Site.
Easy Breezy Trail– A longer but easy trail, which starts at the Bell Rock Parking.
Templeton Trail– Runs to the Cathedral Rock Trail from Yavapai Vista Point Parking. The trail splits in two, you can take either the Slim Shady arm or Hermit arm.
If you’re dead set on the shortest route then park at the Cathedral Rock trailhead.
If there’s no available parking in the two small lots but you’re still set on the shortest route then try the Baldwin Trail parking. Taking the Baldwin trail extension to Cathedral Rock will add 1.5 miles which are relatively flat to your total route.
For those interested in a slightly longer hike, any of the above alternative trails provide a really nice extension to the Cathedral Rock hike.
On your way out you can also stop at the Chapel of the Holy Cross, probably one of the most unique churches you’ll see. This modern chapel is built right on top of the red rock buttes. The views from here are incredible too.
Top Tips for the Cathedral Rock Hike
↠ Visit in winter if you can. You’ll need warmer clothes but the temperature is still lovely for hiking. Fewer people also means fewer problems when trying to find parking at the trailhead.
↠ Try to do this hike on a weekday and not at the weekend when it’s notably busier.
↠ If you can’t find parking at the trailhead you have two options; find parking elsewhere and do an alternative (longer) hike or use the Sedona Shuttle.
↠ Make sure to pack warm clothes if you’re heading up for sunrise or sunset. It can get very windy and chilly at the summit.
↠Don’t forget to pack a headlamp or flashlight if you’re hiking for sunset as you’ll be coming down in the dark.
FAQs About the Cathedral Rock Hike
Is Cathedral Rock a Sedona Vortex?
Yes, it is. Cathedral Rock is one of Sedona’s four Energy Vortexes. Many believe the energy here to be especially positive which can help with healing, self-reflection and practises like meditation.
It’s also a sacred site to native people.
What do I need to pack for the Cathedral Rock Vortex hike?
Footwear: Most importantly, you’ll need good hiking footwear for the Cathedral Rock Hike. As most of the hike is on rock, you’ll need hiking boots or sneakers with good grip so you don’t slip on the way back down.
During our hike there were a few people coming down in inappropriate footwear and they were struggling. Don’t be one of those people. I’m a huge fan of these Danner boots which I’ve had and loved for years.
Clothing: You’ll need suitable hiking clothing depending on the season. Breathable, stretchy and comfortable clothing is a good idea. In the winter make sure to bring good quality merino wool baselayers like these, a hat and gloves as it does get chilly.
Bring a headlamp for sunrise or sunset hikes, a hat, sunscreen, snacks and plenty of water. There is very little shade on the trail.
If you’re hiking alone, tell somewhere where you are going, however, this is a very well-traversed and busy trail.
Is the Cathedral Rock Trail suitable for dogs?
No, it’s not suitable for dogs. The lower part of the trail would be as it’s quite flat but the rock scrambles might just be too steep and technical for dogs.
If you want to hike close by with your dog the Easy Breezy Trail is a good one to do with your dog as it’s pretty flat.
What’s the Elevation of Cathedral Rock?
The elevation of the summit is 5000ft above sea level but you can expect just a 600ft elevation gain when hiking the trail.
Is the Trail Difficult?
The trail is short but it does get a little steep and technical with the rock scramble. I’d say due to this it’s a moderate hike rather than a difficult one.
Ready to hike Cathedral Rock in Sedona, Arizona? Have any questions or comments about your trip? Let me know in the box below.
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Vitaliy
Great stuff especially tips for seeing it during the sunset hours. I was able to do that too, but I was also able to make it back to my car before night fully set in. I think if people do this hike in December-January, there will likely be way less lines/full lots and more time to wait at the summit (without a lone line). Ever since going here, I found other trails right by Cathedral Rock that aren’t as marketed and was curious to know if you tried any of them and have any specific recommendations for which ones to see?
Alex
VitaliyHi Vitaliy, Unfortunately we didn’t do any other trails, just the main trail. I can imagine there are a few- in this area alone there are so many toher trails that you could spend months hiking in Sedona and not do them all. We actually did this hike in January and it wasn’t crowded at all, no lines, available parking. Would recommend.