Cathedral Rock

Scramble a short, steep trail up a red sandstone butte to saddles between its spires with wide views over Sedona's red rock country.

Back O' Beyond Rd trailhead, 0.6 mi off AZ-179 · Sedona, AZ

About Cathedral Rock

Cathedral Rock is a red sandstone butte in Coconino National Forest, about a mile west of State Route 179 near Sedona. Cathedral Rock Trail No. 170 climbs 669 feet in a 1.1-mile round trip from the Back O' Beyond trailhead, and the Forest Service calls it more of a rock climb than a hike. The route follows cairns over steep, unshaded rock to the saddles between the spires. Parking at the trailhead requires a Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful Pass, and a free Sedona Shuttle also serves it.

#red rock hike
#sedona trail
#sandstone butte
#scenic views

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What's around here?

The closest stops to Cathedral Rock, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

Sightseeing
Iconic
Chapel of the Holy Cross
No admission fee
Step inside a small 1956 chapel built into the red rock buttes of Sedona, set around a 90-foot cross.
1.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing
Tours
Iconic
Guidance Air
$50+
Helicopter tour and charter operator based in Sedona offering scenic flights over red rock country and the Grand Canyon.
1.8 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours
Tours
Outdoor Adventure
Apex Air Tours
$50+
Jet-powered helicopter tours over Sedona's red rock canyons, departing from Sedona Airport.
1.9 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours
Sports & Outdoors
Outdoor Adventure
Bell Rock
Under $25
Hike or bike the pathway around a bell-shaped red rock butte south of Sedona, or climb partway up for wide views.
2.2 mi awayMore like this
Sports & Outdoors
Red Rock State Park
Under $25
A 286-acre Arizona state park near Sedona centered on Oak Creek's riparian habitat and environmental education.
2.4 mi awayMore like this
Sports & Outdoors
Outdoor Adventure
Devil's Bridge
Under $25
Hike through red rock country to a 50-foot natural sandstone arch you can walk across.
5.6 mi awayMore like this