Cathedral Rock Trail No. 170

ALERT: The Cathedral Rock Trail will be closed for trail maintenance from Feb. 28 - April 13 on Wednesdays through Saturdays from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. See a map of the closure here.

More of a rock climb than a hike, this trail is unshaded and steep and difficult in places. Follow the basket cairns across the wash and up the moderate slope toward the spires. At 0.25 mile, the trail emerges on a broad ledge with nice views. Then, it ascends steeply over bald rock and in a shallow cleft with a few toeholds notched into the rock to help on the steeper places.

Emerging on a small knob, cairns show the way up and across several ledges toward the deep drainage ahead which it follows, climbing moderately steeply to the top of a wide saddle between two spires. Great views all along, but quite spectacular from the top. An unmaintained path leads south along the west base of the spires giving access, with short climbs, to two more saddles between sheer rock faces and a close-up view of an exposed lava dike at the first. Return by the same route for a 1.5 mile hike. Hot in summer.

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General Information

Location: 38 miles south of Flagstaff in scenic Red Rock Country.

Directions: From the junction of Routes 89A and 179, take 179 south 3.5 miles to Back O' Beyond Road on the right. Go 0.6 miles to the trailhead parking turnout on the left.

GPS (Map): 34°49'30.7"N 111°47'18.3"W

Maps

• Red Rock Country Maps: Download Red Rock Country trail maps and find other Sedona recreation resources. See the Sedona Southeast [PDF] map for this trail system.
• Red Rock Recreation Guide [PDF]: Info on hiking, biking, camping, and more in Arizona's magnificent Red Rock Country. Download the guide or pick one up at the Red Rock Ranger District Visitor Center.
• The Digital Travel Map Whether you're driving, hiking, riding, or exploring, you will find this full-color, GPS-enabled map a handy reference to have on your mobile device. The map show trails, recreation sites, major landmarks, and forest roads.
• Forest Service Topo Map (FSTopo Geo-enable PDF)
  • Sedona (344511145)
• More Maps:
  • USDA FSGeodata Clearinghouse: Arizona FSTopo Maps
  • USFS Store: Map Locator & Downloader

Click map thumbnail for larger view.

Uses: Hiking only. Not safe for horses or bicycles