Inside Sedona’s Hidden Gems: Cathedral Rock and the Vortex (The Pillar)
Cathedral Rock is a massive sandstone formation in Sedona, Arizona, and one of the most photographed landmarks there. Most people who have visited this incredible place consider Cathedral Rock Trail a must-hike for Sedona first-timers.
In this post, you will find step-by-step information on how to hike to Cathedral Rock and what to expect.
Sedona, Arizona is not just popular among hikers, it’s also a top choice for yoga and meditation enthusiasts and anyone looking to connect spiritually with nature and themselves. Many consider Sedona to be one of the most mystical locations on Earth, thanks to its powerful energy. People from around the globe visit Sedona to hike its trails and experience the energy spots, known as vortexes.
What is a vortex?
A vortex is described as a place of high electromagnetic energy concentration. It is believed that at these locations, the energy either enters the Earth or flows out of it. There are two types of vortexes: feminine and masculine.
One of Sedona’s vortexes is located exactly at Cathedral Rock. Many people miss this beautiful “addition” to the hike, so keep reading to make sure you won’t be one of them!
Wherever you’re visiting places like Sedona, make sure to reduce human impact and follow the 7 principles of “Leave no trace“.:
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Exploring Cathedral Rock Trail and The Vortex (The Pillar)
Trailhead: Cathedral Rock Trailhead (34.82612608116091, -111.78871196137798)
Distance: 0.7 miles (1.4 miles in total)
Time: 2-2.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate with a couple of short challenging parts
Best time to visit: Early in the morning so you get a better chance to get a parking spot or later in the day for sunset (make sure you bring a flashlight)
Parking: Main parking lot located on Back O Beyond Road
Sedona Shuttle: Yes
Red Rock Pass required: Yes, machine available at the main parking lot
Cost: $5 for a daily pass / $15 for a weekly pass
Where to park for hiking Cathedral Rock?
The parking for Cathedral Rock Trail is located on Back O Beyond Road. If you’re approaching it from Highway 179, it will be on your left side. The parking lot is divided into two sections, separated by a short dusty lane where you can also find a restroom and parking machine ticket. Each of the parking sections fits about 20 cars (40 in total), so make sure you’re there early.
If you didn’t get lucky with finding a spot at the Cathedral Rock Trailhead parking lot, your other option would be the Baldwin Trail Trailhead parking lot on Verde Valley School Road (34.8218309904113, -111.80806928321886). It can fit about 35 cars and will make your hike a 4-mile round trip. In case you have to park there, make sure you head north on Baldwin Trail until you reach the end of Red Rock Crossing Trail. After that, keep on Baldwin Trail and it will take you to Cathedral Rock Trail. From there you just follow the multiple signs up to the top.
Fueled by coffee and breakfast in our backpacks, we made our way to the Cathedral Rock Trailhead parking lot around 7:30 AM (on a Tuesday), right on time to get one of 5-6 spots left.
How to hike the Cathedral rock trail?
Once you leave the parking lot, the climb starts almost immediately. The trail is pretty clearly marked with many signs but you can also follow everyone else up, as there’s only one way to get there. This hike involves consistent climbing and rock scrambling, but the elevation gain is gradual.
In the beginning, you’ll navigate through the lower layer of Cathedral Rock. As you progress, be prepared for steeper sections and moderate climbing. Wearing sturdy shoes and using your hands for support makes the hike easier and more enjoyable.
There isn’t much shade throughout the trail, but you’ll come across small trees and bushes where you can take a quick break. We got lucky to do this hike on a hot cloudy day, making the climbing much more bearable.
On our way up, there was one very steep and narrow section that I would call “a challenge”.
However, as we began climbing, it turned out to be much easier than it seemed from below. There are plenty of curves and rocks to grab and pull yourself up with. Having the right shoes with a good grip is essential.
Make sure you stop for breaks as often as you need and stay hydrated. Don’t forget to snap some awesome pictures, as this hike offers breathtaking views at every level!
Once you reach the top, you’ll come across a sign that says “End of the trail.” Now you’re standing on a broad saddle between massive sandstone formations. The view from up there is absolutely incredible! To reach the popular “Edge” photo spot, simply take right from the sign and follow the path. It’s about 5 feet wide, but it can be a bit challenging for those who aren’t comfortable with heights. I decided to pass on that opportunity (not a surprise) and enjoyed the magnificent scenery from a safer location.
While exploring the area, you might come across people who are meditating. Be respectful and give them the privacy and tranquility they came for.
At this point, we noticed that most people who had reached the “End of the trail” sign just stayed there for a little bit and made their way back down. Little did they know, the best part of this hike was yet to come, and fortunately, it was much closer than we had thought.
We were already aware that Cathedral Rock is one of the places in Sedona where you can find a vortex, so we knew this wasn’t the end of the trail. Similar to another iconic Sedona Spot, Subway Cave, there are no signs that mark this magical place. If you haven’t heard about “the pillar” before or if you don’t notice people walking left despite seeing the “End of the trail” sign, there’s a good chance you might miss out on this incredible spot.
How to find the vortex at Cathedral Rock?
After taking in the gorgeous views from the saddle and capturing some memorable photos, we turned left (facing the “End of the trail” sign) and continued walking around the cliffs.
We walked for two minutes until we reached a steep section, pretty similar to the only challenging part of climbing on our way up.
Similar to it, it looked much harder from the bottom than it actually was. By supporting ourselves with our hands and stepping into the right spots, we conquered this segment in less than two minutes.
Once you reach the top of this last challenge, you are immediately rewarded with this breathtaking view:
Reaching the vortex, also known as “The Pillar”, after an hour of climbing was a perfect spot for us to just sit and enjoy our surroundings in silence. Also to have some well-deserved food. I can’t think of a better place to enjoy a meal!
We got lucky with the timing, as there was almost no one up there. We were able to take our time, have the view to ourselves, snap some great photos, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings without being disturbed.
Going down back to the parking lot felt pretty fast and easy, despite the steep sections along the way. I found it best to slide down certain spots while using my feet and hands for support. The sandstone surfaces can be slippery, so it’s important to rely on hand support and the grip of your shoes before shifting your weight.
Summary of hiking Subway Cave:
Arriving at the parking lot and starting off: 7:30 AM
Reaching the end of the trail: 8:30 AM
Leaving to the vortex (pillar): 8:40 AM
Reaching the vortex (pillar): 8:45 AM
Heading back down: 9:10 AM
Back to parking lot: 10 AM
Among the three hikes we completed during our time in Sedona, Cathedral Rock Trail turned out to be my absolute favorite! Prior to our visit, I had gathered a lot of information, and hiking Cathedral Rock sounded like the most challenging among the three hikes we picked. However, I was nicely surprised that it wasn’t exhausted after that. In my opinion, this trail is the shortest, easiest, and most scenic of all the three hikes we went on (Subway Cave on Boynton Trail and Devil’s Bridge were the other two). Another aspect that I loved about this hike was its overall lack of intimidating sections, drop-offs, and places that made my anxiety related to heights skyrocketing.
My tips for hiking to Cathedral Rock and the Vortex:
- Wear sturdy shoes with a good grip. I can’t emphasize enough how important this is in Sedona.
- Take advantage of any shade as there’s not much on your way up.
- Don’t head back once you see the “End of trail” sign. The best part is yet to come.
- Bring plenty of water and snacks (sandwiches are perfect) to make sure you stay hydrated and energized.
- Don’t forget a hat and sunscreen during the hot months.
What is the closest airport to Sedona?
The closest big airport to Sedona is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (about 120 miles away). There is also a smaller airport that services the area- Flagstaff Pulliam Airport.
Where to stay in Sedona?
Sedona provides a good amount of accommodation options. We were aiming for something to fully experience the peaceful surroundings of the area and decided to stay in Cornville. The home we booked was amazing and equipped with everything we needed, even more!
Enjoy the incredible Sedona and make sure you leave no trace!
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors
2 Comments
Vitaliy Gershfeld
November 29, 2023 at 9:22 pm
I love how your featured image showcases the 3 sisters of Cathedral Rock! That’s an area of the hike few people actually go to. Regarding the Vortex there, I personally didn’t feel anything but were you able to pick up on any such thing when you went?
Adventulina
March 24, 2024 at 11:17 pm
Thank you! I did notice how many people turned around and left after reaching the “End of hike” sign. I think I felt a sudden wave of adrenaline or very strong energy. I may have confused it with the regular feeling I get when arriving at a place I’ve been wanting to go and the excitement of finally see it live. But I would rather think it was the energy 😀 Also, as someone who wasn’t active at all at this time and hiked for 3 days, I had 0 sore musles after my Sedona trip so I would give it to the energy 😀