Nestled in a fertile red rock valley and completely surrounded by the some of the most beautiful mountain ranges, Sedona came highly recommended by several people that we befriended while in Flagstaff. Originally, we weren’t even planning on visiting Sedona, but we were curious to see what all the hype was about. Indeed, its reputation was well deserved and we ended up loving Sedona so much that we we actually came back on two separate day trips.
Things that you must do while at Sedona:
Highway 89A: This scenic drive between Flagstaff and Sedona can be a daytrip by itself. The winding road descends into a canyon of sandstone cliffs, oak and walnut trees, swimming holes, overlooks and various trailheads. Along the drive you will also see a few restaurants, hotels and Native American peoples selling jewelry and other crafts. Continuing past Sedona on highway 89A will take you through the picturesque towns dotting the Verde Valley.
Hiking: There are literally hundreds of trails throughout Sedona, but the two that we enjoyed most were:
Sedona View Trail - Airport: This is an easy trail that is located on the top of a mountain next to the local airport and takes you past scenic overlooks and a vortex, which is said by locals to be a place of intense energy. The best part is that because of its location, this trail gives you panoramic views of the valley and adjacent mountains the entire time you are hiking. The sunset views from this trail are also mesmerizing and most people will have no problem hiking as it is mostly flat with just a few rocky sections.
Baldwin Trail - Cathedral Rock: This is one of Sedona’s 7 hidden hikes and in fact, the trail is actually located on a dirt road about a half mile (800m) behind a residential neighborhood. Part of the trail hugs a creek where you’ll find several locals bathing in the water, having picnics and sun tanning on the banks. As you progress, you’ll start climbing several switchbacks past cactus and twisted trees until finally arriving at the base of Cathedral Rock which also happens to be the location of a vortex. The views from here are stunning and it was the first time that we really felt the intense energy of a vortex.
The Vault Uptown: The real selling point of this restaurant is the spectacular view of the red and green mountains that you have while eating. The food is excellent and if you’re able to secure an outdoor table, you can easily spend all afternoon just marveling at the beautiful view and nice weather.
Sedona is a very popular tourist destination and as we drove in, it became quite obvious as to why. A narrow mountain road opens up to a gorgeous view of the Verde Valley with a lively downtown area full of restaurants, shops, street performers, and tour operators. The amount of activities could fill a two week itinerary and for the most part, we were sad to leave Sedona as we headed to our next stop. Nevertheless, this beautiful little part of the world will definitely be a place that we return to over the years.