Cathedral Rock Loop

Cathedral Rock is one of Sedona’s most-visited (and busiest) rock formations. If you want to hike out to see it but can’t get a spot at the tiny parking lots that service it, we recommend trying out this loop. This route is longer and requires a bit more elevation gain, but you’ll see the rock from all angles.

We still recommend trying to arrive early for this hike or trying it closer to sunset. The trails around Cathedral Rock tend to be at their busiest in the late morning.

From the trailhead, take Kaibab Trail a few steps to the 4-way junction. Stay right onto Slim Shady Trail. Continue on this route to the junction with Templeton Trail and take a left. Follow this route as it leads you to Cathedral Rock. Our route loops around the rock without ascending it, but you can climb up if you’d like. Continue looping around the base of Cathedral Rock. Staying next to the rock gets you onto Hiline Trail, which will take you across the ridge of rocks to the southeast of Cathedral Rock and back to the trailhead.