Sedona Traverse

Want to experience as much of Sedona’s wild side as possible in just half a day? This private one-way hiking adventure crosses some of the most spectacular terrain in Red Rock Country, taking you from the northwestern reaches of Sedona into the heart of its legendary sandstone landscape.

Rather than hiking out and back or circling the same scenery, the Sedona Traverse is designed as a continuous journey. With private transportation and a dedicated hiking guide, your group can travel in one direction across the landscape, allowing the views to evolve from beginning to end. The result is a true sense of exploration — one that combines expansive wilderness, remarkable geological formations, seasonal waterfalls, and some of the most memorable scenery found anywhere in Sedona.

A Journey Through Secret Mountain Wilderness

The adventure ventures through the extraordinary landscape surrounding Secret Mountain Wilderness, an area known for its rugged sandstone formations and expansive backcountry character. Along the route, the scenery encompasses an impressive variety of geological features, including mesas, canyons, arches, spires, fins, buttes, and towering monoliths.

Instead of spending the day visiting individual overlooks, you’ll move through the landscape itself, watching Sedona transform around you. Each section of trail reveals a different perspective, creating a constantly changing visual experience that rewards both hikers and photographers. Among the notable landmarks encountered along the way are Mescal Mountain, Devils Bridge, Lost Wilson Mountain, Mormon Canyon, and the remarkable free-standing Earth Angel Spire.

One-Way Hiking = Endless Perspectives

The one-way format is what truly sets this experience apart. A private shuttle allows you to begin in one part of Sedona and finish somewhere completely different, eliminating the need to retrace your steps. This means your final mile can look entirely different from your first, with new formations, canyons, and viewpoints continually appearing along the way. Your guide can also tailor the direction of travel to your group’s preferences and abilities, creating an uphill or downhill emphasis when appropriate. This flexibility allows the experience to feel personalized rather than predetermined.

Seasonal Waterfalls and Desert Wonders

Although Sedona is famous for its dry desert landscape, water can dramatically transform these canyons and mountains during certain times of year. Following winter precipitation, spring snowmelt, and summer monsoon storms, seasonal waterfalls may appear throughout the surrounding terrain. One of the most impressive features is the potential for a dramatic 400 foot waterfall cascading from the steep cliffs of Wilson Mountain.

These waterfalls are ephemeral and dependent upon recent precipitation and seasonal conditions, but when flowing, they create a spectacular contrast against Sedona’s red desert landscape.

Earth Angel Spire and the Wild Landscape

One of the most striking landmarks along the route is Earth Angel Spire, a massive sandstone tower rising dramatically above the surrounding terrain. Its imposing scale provides a powerful reminder of the geological forces that have shaped Red Rock Country over millions of years. The surrounding landscape continues to deliver one remarkable formation after another, making this an especially rewarding adventure for photographers and travelers who want to experience more than Sedona’s most recognizable roadside viewpoints.

Wildlife & Wilderness

The remote character of the route also provides opportunities to observe wildlife in a more natural setting. The varied terrain, desert vegetation, and proximity to wilderness create habitat for a wide range of species. Wildlife encounters are never guaranteed, but moving quietly through the backcountry can offer memorable opportunities to observe birds and an array of desert animals along the way.

A Private Sedona Hiking Experience

The experience includes private transportation and a dedicated hiking guide, making the logistics remarkably simple. Your group can focus on the trail and scenery while your guides manage the transportation necessary to create the one-way adventure. With approximately 6 miles of hiking and 650 feet of elevation change, the route offers a substantial half-day adventure without the demands of an extreme hike. 

The moderate difficulty makes it an appealing option for active travelers who want to cover significant ground and experience a broader section of Sedona’s wilderness.

See More. Walk Farther. Experience Sedona Differently.

If you’re searching for a moderate Sedona hiking tour, a private wilderness adventure, or a way to experience more of Red Rock Country without retracing your steps, the Sedona Traverse offers a truly immersive alternative. From towering sandstone formations and expansive wilderness to seasonal waterfalls, wildlife, and unforgettable photography opportunities, every mile introduces something new.

Leave the trailhead behind, cross the landscape in a single direction, and discover how much of Sedona can unfold when the journey itself becomes the destination.

Outing Includes

• Private Hiking Guide
• Red Rock Pass
• Sedona Resort/Airbnb/VRBO Transportation (Sedona, Village of Oak Creek, Oak Creek Canyon)
• Healthy Packaged Trail Snacks
• Fruit & Veggie Bento Box
• Bottled Water
• Ultima Electrolytes
• Osprey Daylite Hiking Backpack
• Trekking Poles (By Request)
• 500 Lumen Black Diamond Headlamp
• Gloves, Beanies, Neck Gaiters (During Winter Months)  
• UPF 50 Sun Hoodies  
• Disposable Rain Ponchos  
• Micro Spikes for Snow (If Needed)  
• Osprey Poco Plus Kids Carrying Pack (By Request) 
• Kids Car Seats & Booster Seats (By Request)
• Full List of Supplies Included

Logistics

• Duration: Half Day/4.5 Hours of Hiking & 1 Hour of Logistics
• Distance: 6 Miles
• Elevation Change: 650ft
• Capacity: 1 - 6 Hikers
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Transport: 1 Vehicle & Shuttle Driver for Setting Up One-Way Hike
• Sites Visited: 1 Site
• Map of Hike: View Map of Half Day: Sedona Traverse
• Trails Used: Chuckwagon & Brins Mesa Trail
• Wilderness Area: Hikes Across Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness
• Hike Type: One-Way Hike, Wilderness Access, Sunrise/Sunset Start
• Best Season: All Year
• Seasonal Features: Occasional Waterfalls (Late July - August, Winter), Wildflowers (Spring, Summer, Fall), Wildlife Viewing
• Start Times: 5AM, 5:30AM, 6AM, 6:30AM, 7AM, 7:30AM, 8AM, 2:30PM
• Upcoming Availabilities: Sedona Traverse Calendar
• Cost: $275 + Tax/Hiker (Private Group) & $525 + Tax (Private Solo Hiker)

*PRIVATE ONLY TOURS: TWO PERSON MINIMUM FOR PRIVATE GROUPS OR PLEASE REFER TO SOLO HIKER PRICING

**WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND CONSIDERING PEEK PROTECT COVERAGE AND REVIEWING OUR CANCELLATION POLICY BEFORE BOOKING YOUR RESERVATION

***WE REQUIRE ALL HIKERS/ATTENDEES TO HAVE MEDICAL INSURANCE TO ATTEND ANY OF OUR OUTINGS OFFERED