Cathedral Rock Trail
Steep slickrock, route markers, hand-and-foot moves, and a high saddle make Cathedral Rock one of Sedona’s most concentrated climbs.
Artwork inspired by Merrill Mahaffey
Cathedral Rock Trail rises rapidly across open sandstone to a saddle between towers. Cairns and painted markers guide sections where a conventional path disappears; the central crack requires scrambling and can be slick with sand, rain, or ice.
Parking is often shuttle-controlled, and the route should not be attempted in lightning, intense heat, or darkness without preparation. Stop at the first overlook if the scramble exceeds your comfort; the formation is rewarding without reaching the saddle.
- Distance
- About 1.2 miles round trip
- Gain
- About 740 feet
- Difficulty
- Steep scramble
Quick guide
- Primary evidence
- Cathedral saddle ↔ Slickrock ascent
- Do not omit
- Oak Creek views
Four deliberate moves through Cathedral Rock Trail
- Check shuttle
- Confirm trailhead access before driving.
- Follow markers
- Stay on durable rock and signed route.
- Test scramble
- Turn around before committing beyond ability.
- Avoid storms
- Exposed sandstone is unsafe in lightning or rain.
Good to know
If time contracts at Cathedral Rock Trail, keep the comparison between “Cathedral saddle” and “Slickrock ascent” and remove peripheral stops from the route.
Notice these
- Cathedral saddle
- Slickrock ascent
- Oak Creek views