Best Hikes in Sedona for Women (From Women Who Actually Live Here)
"Sedona's trails aren't just hikes. They're the kind of thing you call your best friend about on the drive home."
We've hiked these trails in the early morning when the light turns the rocks gold. We've done them in groups of twelve and groups of two. We've sent our sisters here, our mothers here, our oldest friends. And we've put together this guide the way we wish someone had put it together for us: honest, specific, and actually useful for women who want to get outside without spending three hours on Reddit first.
These are our eight favorites — from a shaded creekside stroll that's perfect in July heat, to a challenging scramble that will earn you the best views of your life. Read the local tips. They matter.
The trails
Eight hikes every woman should do in Sedona
If we had to send every woman visiting Sedona on one hike, it would be Fay Canyon. It's mostly flat, beautifully shaded by canyon walls, and rewards you with a stunning arch if you push past the "end of trail" sign — trust us, keep going. The sandy path winds through desert junipers and prickly pear, and it never feels crowded. Perfect for a girls' morning hike before coffee in Uptown.
Short but mighty — and genuinely challenging. Cathedral Rock is Sedona's most photographed formation, and climbing it at sunrise or sunset is life-changing. Don't let the short mileage fool you: the hand-and-foot scrambling up steep red rock faces is demanding and requires confidence on exposed terrain. You'll use cairns to navigate your path, and the views from the top are worth every heart-pounding moment.
Left: West Fork Trail along Oak Creek — cool, shaded, and breathtaking in summer · Right: Devil's Bridge at golden hour
If you're visiting Sedona in the summer heat, West Fork Trail of Oak Creek is your answer. This spectacular canyon hike follows Oak Creek through one of the most beautiful riparian corridors in Arizona — towering red canyon walls, lush green trees, and the sound of flowing water the entire way. The trail crosses the creek multiple times, and the shade makes it refreshingly cool even on hot days. It's genuinely one of the most beautiful hikes in the entire Southwest.
This is the hike your camera roll has been waiting for. Devil's Bridge is the largest natural sandstone arch in the Sedona area, and the trail winds through juniper-dotted desert with red cliffs rising on every side. The final approach requires a short but exhilarating scramble up to the arch — and the panoramic views from the top are absolutely breathtaking. Worth every early alarm.
If you feel called to Sedona for its vortex energy, this is your trail. Boynton Canyon is considered a sacred site by Indigenous communities and one of Sedona's most powerful vortex locations. The trail winds along the canyon floor with towering red walls on both sides. Partway through, a detour leads to the Subway Cave — a gorgeous cave with panoramic views that's one of the most jaw-dropping spots we've ever stood in.
Don't let the name fool you — Secret Slick Rock isn't truly a secret to locals, but it's refreshingly under the radar compared to Sedona's famous trails. This easy, scenic trail winds across open red slickrock with sweeping 360-degree views of the surrounding canyon landscape, with Cathedral Rock rising dramatically in the background. It's the kind of trail where you feel like you've discovered something on your own. A perfect add-on to a morning at nearby Boynton Canyon.
One of Sedona's best-kept trail combinations, especially magical at sunrise or sunset. The Brewer Trail connects to the Sedona Airport Loop Trail, which takes you up to Airport Mesa — one of Sedona's most powerful vortex sites and the spot with arguably the most breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views of the entire red rock landscape. The mesa view at golden hour is something you'll talk about for years. Moderate but very accessible, and the payoff is absolutely worth it.
Bell Rock is the great equalizer — the trail around its base is flat and accessible for every fitness level, while those who want a challenge can scramble higher up the rock itself. It's ideal for girls' trips where your crew has mixed hiking experience. The views of Bell Rock and neighboring Courthouse Butte are spectacular from the path, so even if you don't summit, you won't feel like you missed out. One of the best sunset walks in all of Sedona.
Pack smart
What every woman should bring
Sedona sits at about 4,350 feet elevation, which catches first-time visitors off guard. Even if you're fit, pace yourself on your first day and drink more water than you think you need. The desert will humble you — in the best possible way.
Come hike with us.
Our women-owned vacation homes put you steps from trailheads, with local knowledge baked into every stay. No generic guidebooks — just real recommendations from women who live here.
Book your Sedona stay →