Easy hikes near Sedona

West Sedona sits close to some of the area's most beautiful trails, and the best of them start within walking distance of your villa. These are the hikes we recommend most often to guests who want big views without a hard climb. Distances are approximate.

Our favorite: Lower Chimney Rock and Little Sugarloaf

This is the easy hike we love most, and you can walk to it straight from Adobe Grand Villas. The Lower Chimney Rock Trail winds through juniper and red rock at the foot of Thunder Mountain. Where it meets the Chimney Rock Trail, a short, steep spur of about 0.2 miles climbs to the top of Little Sugarloaf. The flat slickrock summit has a 360-degree view over Sedona, and there are almost never other tourists there.

Little Sugarloaf is our favorite place in Sedona for both sunrise and sunset. Bring a headlamp for the walk back in the dark.

If you'd rather drive, park at the Thunder Mountain Trailhead on Thunder Mountain Road, off Dry Creek Road, a few minutes from the villas. The lot is small, about a dozen cars, with no restrooms.

Chimney Rock to the Amitabha Stupa

For a longer walk, continue from Little Sugarloaf on the trails around Chimney Rock, then come down to the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park and its stone medicine wheel at the base of Thunder Mountain. It is a peaceful place to sit, with prayer flags and benches, and from there it is a short walk back to your villa. Every part of this route is walkable from the villas, so you can leave the car behind for the day.

Devil's Bridge

Sedona's largest natural sandstone arch is only a few minutes from the villas, off Dry Creek Road. From the Dry Creek Vista Trailhead it is about 4 miles round trip on a wide, gentle trail, finishing with a short, steep climb up stone steps to the arch. Sedona's free trailhead shuttle serves Dry Creek Vista on busy days, so check sedonashuttle.com. Go early in the morning: the arch is very popular, and the line to walk out onto it grows through the day.

Cool off at Buddha Beach

Our favorite swimming hole. Buddha Beach is a stretch of Oak Creek beneath Cathedral Rock, known for the hundreds of stacked stone cairns along the water. It is reached through the Crescent Moon Picnic Site, also called Red Rock Crossing, a day-use fee area that fills early on summer weekends. Ask us at the front desk and we'll point you to our own favorite spot for a swim, a little further along the creek.

The water is cold and wonderful on a hot day. Creek levels change with the seasons, so take care after rain, and wear shoes that can get wet.

Fay Canyon

About 2.5 miles and nearly flat, Fay Canyon follows a quiet box canyon between red rock walls. It is one of the easiest hikes in Sedona and lovely in the morning, when the canyon is cool and shaded.

Bell Rock Pathway

A wide, gentle path around the base of Bell Rock, one of Sedona's best-known formations. Walk as far as you like and turn back. Many visitors come here for the vortex, and it is an easy place to scramble a little way up the rock.

Doe Mountain

About 1.5 miles with a steady climb of roughly 400 feet to a flat mesa top, a short drive away. The reward is a wide view over West Sedona and the surrounding canyons.

Boynton Canyon

About 6 miles, mostly gentle, through juniper and pine to a box canyon. Near the start, a short spur leads to the Boynton vortex and Kachina Woman rock. Go as far as you are comfortable.

West Fork of Oak Creek

A shaded canyon walk in Oak Creek Canyon, about 20 minutes north of Sedona, with many easy creek crossings. It is famous for fall color in late October and early November. This is a fee area and parking fills early.

Before you go

• Carry more water than you think you need, even on short hikes.
• Start early in summer and finish before the afternoon heat. July through September can bring monsoon storms and flash floods, so avoid canyons when rain is forecast.
• Many trailheads have parking fees and small lots. Sedona's free trailhead shuttle serves several popular trails on busy days.
• Stay on the trail to protect the fragile desert soil.

Our Sedona Hikers massage, a hot stone massage finished with thirty minutes of foot reflexology, was made for after the trail.