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Set deep in the deserts of Arizona, Sedona offers a serene vacation experience that few places can match.
If it feels otherworldly, it comes by it honestly. The rocks and sand of Sedona, painted a deep umber by naturally occurring rust, could very well stand in for the geography of the planet Mars. And the presence of so-called "energy vortexes" espoused by some locals as a pseudo-scientific source of spiritual power, only add to that feeling of being on another planet.
Heck, even the sign at the local McDonalds is a different color - the only location in the world where the fast food giant consented to change its usual garish red and yellow.
But beyond all that, Sedona is also a great place to get out and hike. There are meandering trails criss-crossing all through the desert, and even a few that you might mistake for an actual road since they insist on marking it on the map as such (we're looking at you, Schnebly Hill Rd.).
If you are headed to Sedona, the best advice we can give you (other than never try to maneuver down Schnebly Hill Rd. in a minivan) is to check out the following five hiking trails, courtesy of VisitSedona.com.
V-Bar-V (West Clear Creek)
Difficulty: Novice
Location: The trailhead is located near the V-Bar-V Heritage Site, which is southeast along Beaver Creek Road to the west of the I17.
Description: As one of the shortest trails, just spanning a one-mile round trip, the V-Bar-V Trail should not be underestimated. In addition to its ease, it also provides amazing views and petroglyph sights from the Sinaqua culture and the V-Bar-V Heritage Site.
Deadman's Pass Trail
Difficulty: Novice
Location: The trailhead begins at the intersection of Boynton Canyon Road and Boynton Pass Road, just a couple miles north of the 89A.
Description: This trail features easy walking on open trails next to the wilderness' canyon, between the Long Canyon Trail and the Boynton Canyon Trail. The trail also features single-track riding over some of the rocks along the path.
Jim Thompson Trail
Difficulty: Medium
Location: This trail can be hiked from the Wilson Canyon trailhead, the Jordan Park trailhead or along the road past the Midgely Bridge parking area.
Description: As a 6-mile round-trip trail, the path passes through a cattle gate, becoming more narrow and shaded as it descends into Mormon Canyon. At the bottom, the trail turns into Brin's Mesa Trail, just north of the Jordan Road trailhead, with certain sections of the trail requiring moderate climbing.
Cibola Pass
Difficulty: Medium
Location: The trailhead is located just north of the Jordan Park subdivision, a couple miles north of the 89A and Airport Road.
Description: Cibola Pass is a connector trail between the southern end of Brin's Mesa Trail and the Jordan Trail, which passes through backwoods for views of the Mitten Rock Formation and leads visitors to the Seven Sacred Pools, a series of descending creek bed pools.
Loy Canyon
Difficulty: Hard
Location: Exiting on Dry Creek Road off the 89A, visitors will follow Dry Creek Road west 13 miles until arriving at the trailhead.
Description: With an elevation change of 1,700 feet, and spanning 10 miles round trip, this trail is reserved for adrenaline junkies and challenge seekers. The trail completes a 1,680-foot climb to a high saddle that overlooks the Secret Mountain mesa, with stunning views of the landscape to be appreciated at the top.
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