Bell Rock vs. Cathedral Rock: Which Hike Is Right for You?
Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock are two of Sedona’s most famous formations, and they sit about ten minutes apart by car. Most first-time visitors want to hike one of them, and Bell Rock vs. Cathedral Rock is the question we hear most. The trouble is that they are completely different hikes.
The Bell Rock hike can be an easy walk or a fun scramble, depending on how far you go. The Cathedral Rock hike is short but steep, with a hands-and-feet climb up bare rock. Here’s how they compare, and how to pick the right one for you.
Bell Rock vs. Cathedral Rock at a Glance
| Bell Rock | Cathedral Rock | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | About 1 mile to the base; about 4 miles for the full loop around Courthouse Butte | About 1.1 miles round trip |
| Elevation gain | About 300 to 400 feet on the loop | About 670 feet |
| Difficulty | Easy on the trail, moderate if you scramble up | Strenuous |
| Time | 1 to 3 hours | About 1.5 hours |
| Scrambling | Optional | Required to reach the top |
| Parking | Two large lots on State Route 179 | Small lot, closed Thursday to Sunday during shuttle hours |
| Pass | Red Rock Pass | Red Rock Pass (not needed if you ride the shuttle) |
| Best for | Families, first-timers, mixed groups | Confident hikers comfortable with heights |
The Bell Rock Hike
The trail: most people start at one of two trailheads on State Route 179, just north of the Village of Oak Creek. The Bell Rock Pathway is wide, sandy and mostly flat, and it reaches the base of Bell Rock in about a mile from the southern lot.
Want more? Keep going on the Courthouse Butte Loop, which circles both Bell Rock and its neighbor, Courthouse Butte, in about four miles with little climbing. The views change the whole way around, and the east side is noticeably quieter.
Want a challenge? You can scramble partway up Bell Rock on the slickrock ledges. There’s no marked route to the summit, and the upper sections are steep with drop-offs, so climb only as high as you’re comfortable coming back down.
Parking: the northern lot (Courthouse Vista) is closer to Bell Rock. The southern lot (Bell Rock Vista) is larger. Both fill by mid-morning on busy days.
Who it’s for: anyone. It works for kids, older hikers, mixed groups and anyone who wants big red rock views without a hard climb.
The Cathedral Rock Hike
The trail: the Cathedral Rock Trail starts off Back O’ Beyond Road and begins climbing almost immediately. Within a few minutes you’re on bare red rock, following cairns (rock piles in wire baskets) up toward the saddle between Cathedral’s spires.
The hard part: partway up, you reach a steep crack in the rock face that you climb using your hands and feet. It’s not technical climbing, but it is steep, and the rock is slick when wet. Coming down is harder than going up for many people.
The reward: the view from the saddle is one of the best in Sedona, looking straight across the Verde Valley with the spires towering right above you.
If it’s too much: the lower rock ledges, before the crack, already have excellent views. Turning around there is a perfectly good hike.
Parking: the trailhead lot is small, and it’s closed to private cars from Thursday through Sunday while the free Sedona Shuttle runs. On those days, park at the North SR 179 Park and Ride and ride the shuttle in. From Monday to Wednesday, arrive very early.
Who it’s for: fit hikers who are comfortable with heights and scrambling. It isn’t a good choice for young children, anyone with balance concerns, or rainy days.
So Which One Should You Choose?
Choose Bell Rock if:
- You’re hiking with kids, older family members or a mixed-ability group
- You want a longer, easier walk with changing views
- You’d rather not use your hands to climb
- It has rained recently
Choose Cathedral Rock if:
- You’re comfortable with heights and steep rock
- You want a short, hard climb with a big payoff
- You’ve got a free Thursday to Sunday morning for the shuttle, or can start very early midweek
Can’t decide? Do both. They’re about ten minutes apart by car. Start with Cathedral Rock at sunrise, while it’s cool and quiet, then finish with an easy walk around Bell Rock before lunch.
Tips for Hiking Either One This Fall
- Start early. Fall is peak season, and both parking areas fill fast.
- Bring more water than you think. Even cool fall days are dry and sunny.
- Wear shoes with real grip. Slickrock is smooth, and sandy shoes slip.
- Watch the clock. By late October, the sun sets around 5:45 p.m.
For more trails at every level, see our complete Sedona hiking trails difficulty guide, and check our guide to Sedona trailhead parking and the Red Rock Pass before you go.
Stay Close to the Trailhead
The easiest way to beat the parking rush is to start the day right next to the trail. Kokopelli Inn sits in the Village of Oak Creek, just minutes from the Bell Rock trailheads, so you can be on the Bell Rock Pathway not long after sunrise and back for a rest before the crowds arrive. It’s also a short drive north to the Cathedral Rock shuttle lot.
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