Sedona - A Place for Hiking, Biking, and Connecting

Sedona Offers a Remarkable Opportunity to Escape and Connect

by Holly Battista-Resignolo

A Red Rock Escape

I watched the cityscape of Phoenix blur by as I embarked on a new adventure with my daughter in Sedona, Arizona. We had spent a spring break many years ago camping along the banks of the Verde River. She and her brothers were young, and we did not know much about the area. The ability to explore deeply was also not in our reach at that time.

On this day, an army of Saguaro greeted us standing tall, a stunning sight as we traveled north. The drive from the city to Sedona is a wonder. The landscape changes quickly, with each vista more spectacular than the next.

The beautiful Village of Oak Creek passed us by with the iconic church bell shaped ediface, Bell Rock, rising up to greet us. Here, the incredible Red Rock scenery begins as you descend into Sedona proper. This region is a mecca for hikers, bikers, spiritualists, jeepers, desert botanists, and outdoor enthusiasts of all types. The walls of Red Rock rising up around the small city are a spectacular sight by day. As the quiet settles during sunset, and the rock faces recede into the shadows, you can feel the energy of the Sun that they held begin to release. The entire vibe brings a feeling of calm and peace.

This trip, we came together to hike, bike, explore and connect. Snacks, water, sunscreen, hats, first aid supplies, charged phones, maps, and lunches were prepared. Hiking in Sedona is best done in the early morning before the temperature rises, because the heat there is no joke! You will see warnings at every trailhead letting people know to take precautions. Parking is also a premium, and the city has busing to some trail heads (which is really nice on your return because they are usually airconditioned). Take note as you plan your trip.

Hiking

There are trails everywhere, and from our downtown lodging, we were able to walk right out our door and up to Soldier Pass Trail.

Here are the places we explored but oh, there is so much more..

Soldier Pass Trail – where we discovered the Seven Sacred Pools, pictured above, and Devil’s Kitchen sinkhole. This 1 to 4.5-mile (variable) trail offers stunning red rock views, as well as a hidden cave where we cooled off, explored its nooks and crannys and then enjoyed a snack before returning to the trailhead.

Cathedral Rock – On one of our evening excursions, we marched our way up into the saddle of Cathedral Rock, one of the more famous landmarks in Sedona. The hike is just under a mile long, but there is a section of near-vertical scrambling that requires a bit of climbing. The reward? An incredible view, especially at sunset when we arrived at the end of the trail. We have been told that it is one of the most photographed sights in Arizona and a powerful, feminine energy Vortex.

Bell Rock – We both hiked Bell Rock and biked its perimeter, enjoying the entire Big Park Loop by bike first. For our hike, we accessed the Bell Rock Pathway, a shorter trail for a lovely walk, scramble, and climb towards the top. This is also a popular Vortex to experience.

Birthing Cave – This hike required a drive on Long Canyon Road to access its trailhead. A three-mile social trail connects you to the steep scramble up to the shallow cave. The views are spectacular and a cool place to rest before heading back. A quick reminder that Javelinas (a native, pig-like animal) are in the area. If you have a dog, be careful.

Biking

Biking in Sedona is another way to experience this breathtaking area.

Our ride around Bell Rock and the Big Park Loop was a beautiful, flowy ride with some fun little technical sections. A perfect trail that matched the less-than-technical bikes that were made available to us (we were very grateful to have access to them). It was a good first taste of the many famous trails and other sinuous single track you can experience, but that will wait until the next trip with our gear.

Chow Time

Sedona is an exquisite dining destination filled with award winning Chefs and restaurants. Our time was limited to experience some of the best, but here are some locations that we really loved:

Laylas Bakery – Exceptional Pastries

Freeform Coffee – Great Coffee Shop

Pisa Lisa -Outstanding Pizza

Tortas de Fuego – Yummy Mexican

Hiros Sedona – Fresh Sushi

Thai Fresh and Natural – Best Thai

Mesa Grill Sedona – Fabulous Food & A View at the Airport

René – A Culinary Gem

Redwall Lounge Distillery – Spirited

Indian Gardens Cafe & Market – Stunning Al Fresco Dining with an exceptional menu

Vacation | Staycation | R&R

Sedona is also the perfect place to balance work and play. Ideally, you want to get out the door just as the sun begins to rise. The air is still cool for your ascent into the wilds. As the heat rises, being back by 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. was a reasonable goal for our springtime travels. Work or a Siesta can then be pursued during the midday with the goal of returning to the outdoors as the sun sets for more walkabouts, picnics and al fresco dining.

Side Trips

Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village is a must-visit. This beautiful open-air mall was built originally as a craftspersons village.

Cobblestone walkways, arched corridors decorated to match the season and holidays, fountains bubbling up in courtyards, cooling the air around it, all add to the delight of discovering as you wander the grounds of the village. Art, fashion, jewelry, food, and fun events dot the village, making it an exploration-worthy complex.

‘Flamenco in the Courtyard’ was a highlight. Master guitarist, Gaetano, and his fellow artists bring music and dancing alongside El Rincon Restaurante Mexicano and their thirst-quenching beverages from the restaurant’s outside bar in Patio De Las Campanas.

Another highlight of our trip was visiting the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park. This tranquil destination on the north side of Sedona is a welcoming spot for all to pray, meditate, and experience peace. It is a sacred space on private property owned by Kunzang Palyul Choling, a Tibetan Buddhist Temple in the Vajrayana Tradition. The park is open every day during daylight hours for people of all faiths. Visiting the Park is free and is supported by visitor donations. It will be a stop I will make every time we visit Sedona.

Until We Meet Again…

This certainly will not be our last trip to Arizona’s red rock country and the exquisite town of Sedona. Like the trails, this destination has an endless supply of natural and cultural attractions to explore.