Cathedral Rock Trailhead, Sedona: Photos, Reviews & Location

Unshaded 1.5-mile round-trip trail ascending steeply to a saddle between rock formations.

At a glance

#5 of 28 Tourist attractions in Sedona #4 of 33 Hiking areas in Sedona

LocalGuideWorld score: 4.80

3.4 km from the center of Sedona

Rating breakdown

5 ★88%
4 ★9%
3 ★2%
2 ★0%
1 ★1%

500 Back O Beyond Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336

fs.usda.gov

Photos of Cathedral Rock Trailhead (60)

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Cathedral Rock Trailhead, Sedona – photo 1

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Cathedral Rock Trailhead, Sedona – photo 12

Quick facts

What is the rating of Cathedral Rock Trailhead?: Cathedral Rock Trailhead is rated 4.8 out of 5 based on 2,615 reviews.
How does Cathedral Rock Trailhead rank in Sedona?: Cathedral Rock Trailhead is #5 of 28 Tourist attractions in Sedona by LocalGuideWorld score (rating weighted by number of reviews).
Where is Cathedral Rock Trailhead located?: 500 Back O Beyond Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336 — 3.4 km from the center of Sedona.
How can I contact Cathedral Rock Trailhead?: Website: fs.usda.gov

Reviews (8)

Tony L 2024 Aug 21

Beautiful view when you get to the top. Did the hike in the evening. Ended up parking in a lot on the other side of the main road and walked to the trailhead from there since the shuttle lot stopped running after 430 pm. Decent amount of vertical gradient to walk up.

David Lake 2024 Aug 17

A rather challenging climb with a few spots more in the realm of rock climbing. Still, very rewarding and you certainly feel accomplished when you reach the top! Most of the hike will be in the sun so be sure to get an early start.

Whitney Siudzinski 2024 Aug 08

You are going to be pushed to the brink with this scramble. No matter how many times I do it, this short, sweet, strenuous hike is worth every sweat drop. The views are so rewarding. Don't skip this hike just because it's straight up. That's what makes it worth it.

Tom Boman 2024 Jul 23

This hike starts out easy and gets progressively harder. The center part of the hike is in a narrow walkway between 2 boulders from there. You have stairs. Most of the was up. It was a relatively hard climb to the top for me, but then I'm in my 60's. Gorgeous views. I did enjoy the hike very much. Did have to stop and take a rest twice towards the top.

Theresa_ SoCalRealty 2024 Jul 01

The Cathedral Rock Trail is approximately 1.2 miles round trip, but don't let the short distance fool you—it's a steep and strenuous hike. The path involves some rock scrambling and can be quite demanding, especially near the top. However, the sense of accomplishment and the awe-inspiring scenery make it a favorite among both seasoned hikers and adventurous tourists. For those seeking a slightly easier experience, there are several vantage points along the trail that offer stunning views without the need to reach the summit.

Beyond its physical beauty, Cathedral Rock is also known for its unique energy vortex. Many visitors report feeling a sense of tranquility and heightened awareness while exploring the area. Whether you're a spiritual seeker or simply a nature enthusiast, Cathedral Rock provides a perfect blend of adventure, natural splendor, and a touch of mysticism. It's no surprise that it remains one of Sedona's most beloved attractions, drawing people from all over the world to experience its magic.

Parking lot available on Monday to Wednesday.
Thursday to Sunday parking was closed. Have to park another extra mile.

Sunset hiking perfect timing for photos.

Sandy Agnos 2024 May 24

Many reviews rate this hike as moderate but I think that’s all relative right? This hike is more of a scramble for at least 50% of the way. It’s all uphill and steep at times. There are sections where you must scramble up very steep and narrow sections. It’s a great hike but challenging for beginners or those less experienced. The views are worth it. If you are afraid of heights this might not be the hike for you OR you might only do the first few sections, think of this as a layered hike, the first third is an uphill hike but after that you have sections where you must climb on steep rocks- using both arms and legs. Parts of the hike (climb) you are in a single file line. This is a very popular trail, with wonderful views. It’s crowded. There is also a vortex after the first scramble which has a great view. Be sure you have good hiking shoes - ones that can grip the slippery rocks! Good shoes will make a difference on this hike ! During busy season you can only access this trailhead by shuttle bus. They close the lot and have a guard. The bus is only a mile away and they run frequently.

Jeff Freshour 2024 May 21

Cathedral Rock is one of the most photographed places in Sedona, AZ. My wife I and I actually started our hike from Crescent Moon Ranch and Picnic Site. We followed the river trail and crossed over at Buddha Beach and started following a group of hikers. They led us to the trail head on the other side of Cathedral Rock and I was able to complete the trail and get to the top. There are a lot of hiker’s at this time of year, late Spring. It is a moderate to hard trail considering the scrambling you have to do to get up to the top. My wife’s knee was bothering her and she noticed the way people had to descend the trail and decided it wasn’t worth the risk for her. I made it to the top and I’m glad someone took the time to encourage me to do that. I was considering abandoning my effort.

Donald Maerz 2024 Mar 14

Had such a great time at Cathedral Rock. I travelled with the wife and two kids, 11 and 6, and they loved it as well. They saw the trails and climbing of the rocks as an adventure and adventure it was! The views were also breathtaking! You cannot take your own car to the trailhead on certain days. You must take the shuttle, which came every 10-15 minutes or so. All in all, a great experience! Clean port-o-potties at the shuttle stop.