Best Hikes In Sedona - The Top 10 Most Difficult

Known as Hiker Heaven, the trails in Sedona range from easy to extreme. In this video I'm going to show you the Top 10 Most Difficult Hikes in Sedona. But first, let me warn you, these are not hikes like Bear Mountain or Wilson Mountain, that you'll see described in almost every other video with a similar title. Those hikes are NOT in this video.

These social trails don't require ropes or technical climbing gear, but they are Class 3 and 4 scrambles, well above and outside of what I call the tourist zone. If you're a veteran southwest hiker in good condition, who loves a challenge and has the experience to do it safely, these routes might be exactly what you're looking for. DISCLAIMER: If you're anything less than that, they might be a great way to get yourself seriously injured. It's your responsibility to know your own limits and when it's time to turn back.

Hike #10: Temple of Diana
The hike is almost straight up, climbing an impressive 1560 ft over just 1.75 miles. The summit is 3.6 miles out and back from the nearest parking area. You'll be in a vertical wash most of the way, so navigation isn't a problem until the very end. It gets a little tricky when you reach the top of the wash, then have to work your way through some cliffs to reach the summit.

Hike #9: Upper Mushroom Rock
At only 5 miles and 1,000 feet of elevation gain, this side hike in Boynton Canyon doesn't look that difficult on paper, but that's deceiving. What earns it a place on this list is the terrain, and the fact that almost all of the elevation gain takes place over about 1.5 miles. Much of the route crosses open slickrock with no signs and no shade, so navigation and heat are definitely considerations. Allow 5-6 hours for this hike.

Hike #8: Sunrise Ledge to Preston Point
The price of admission for this amazing show is a route of approximately 7.5 miles out and back, with a total elevation gain/loss of about 3300 ft. Allow 5-6 hours for the roundtrip.

Hike #7: Lost Mesa
The downside is that you will need a high clearance 4x4 to reach the Brins Mesa parking area on Forest Road 152. Details will vary depending on which route is taken, but generally speaking it will be about 4 miles, 2500 ft, and 3-4 hours if you are doing this as a loop.

Hike #6: Hartwell Canyon
Expect at a hike of at least 3 miles roundtrip and an elevation change of at least 1,000 feet, and about a half dozen Class 1 and Class 2 scrambles. You could do as much as maybe 8 or 9 miles roundtrip, 3,000 feet of elevation gain, with over a dozen scrambles ranging up to Class 3. I recommend a minimum of 3 hours for Hartwell, but you could spend an entire day.

Hike #5: Witches Mountain
The route to the summit will also take you close to Keyhole Cave, also rated as EXTREME due to the Class 4 scramble required to get inside. The hike up Witches Mountain climbs over 1300 ft in just 1.5 miles. Allow 3-4 hours for the roundtrip.

Hike #4: Thunder Mountain
Thunder Mountain accounts for more rescues and fatalities than any other hike on this list. The Wanderer's Guide rates Thunder Mountain as EXTREME due to complex route finding and the fact that it's almost straight up, rising 1600 feet in just 1.3 miles. Elite athletes familiar with the route can run much of the route and make it to the top in a little over an hour. Everybody else should allow about 4 hours for the roundtrip.

Hike #3: Gibraltar Butte
One of the most recognizable landmarks in Sedona. Expect an out-and-back hike of 6 miles and an elevation gain of approximately 2,600 feet. Allow 5-6 hours for the out-and-back version.

Hike #2: Maroon Mountain
If you're still watching you're definitely a glutton for pain, and Maroon Mountain is definitely going to hurt.Maroon comes in at 6.2 miles out-and-back, with an elevation gain of 2025 ft. Allow 5 hours.

Hike #1: and finally, the MOST difficult hike in Sedona is... Lost Wilson Mountain. With a decent map and directions Lost Wilson is 6.5 miles out-and-back, with an elevation gain of 2040 ft. We think you'll make it on the first try in 5-7 hours.

If you have the time and inclination to try, and you actually complete all these hikes, you'll definitely be an elite Sedona hiker. Want the maps, trails descriptions and GPS tracks? Be sure to visit www.thewanderers.guide and download our e-book to all the trails in Sedona.

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