The Heart of Redrock Country | Sedona, Arizona
Trek through the magical desert scenery of northern Arizona.
Trip Highlights:
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Explore Sedona with exquisite dining, inspired art galleries and a plethora of outdoor activities.
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Take in stunning views of imposing sandstone arches, hidden canyon walls, and delight in the sweet aroma of desert wildflowers.
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After full days of hiking, relax, with wine in hand, at one of Sedona’s premier luxury resorts.
Soaring spires painted red against a backdrop of snow- covered peaks and endless blue sky, characterize the magical desert scenery of northern Arizona. Our desert trek focuses on the quiet, off the beaten paths of Sedona, Arizona, a popular town with an established reputation for exquisite dining, inspired art galleries and a plethora of outdoor activities. For outdoor enthusiasts, the region offers some of the most unique topography found anywhere in the world.
We’ll enjoy stunning views of imposing sandstone arches, feel the cool breath of hidden canyon walls painted with desert varnish, and delight in the sweet aroma of desert wildflowers warming along the banks of perennial streams.
By day, we explore the enchanting desert landscape, hiking on hidden back country trails that spiderweb throughout the region. By night, we relax, with wine in hand, at one of Sedona’s premier luxury resorts.
Spring is our favorite time to explore the desert, for many reasons. Cabin fever aside, anxious little streams cascade from the region’s high alpine peaks and breathe new life into an otherwise arid land. Dry, sandy riverbeds become refreshing bubbling brooks, and the entire region springs alive with blossoms of every color, a sight that only a beholder can truly appreciate. Non-coincidentally, we timed this year’s tour to coincide with the height of the springtime bloom.
Ryder-Walker offers this exclusive trip using the best accommodations in two different locations in Sedona. One is walking distance from downtown galleries, restaurants and shops, while the other is secluded and private. Because all of our hikes loop back to our accommodations, we are able to go light and enjoy the desert scenery without the encumbrance of a heavy backpack. Hiking days are moderately challenging, and the scenery remains breathtaking. At the end of the day a comfortable bed, hot shower, a good meal, a glass of local wine or beer, and the company of other hikers awaits.
Sedona is an eccentric little oasis surrounded by wilderness areas and home to eclectic shops, galleries, and mystical vortex seekers. Despite the popularity of the region, local efforts by the United States Forest Service and concerned citizens in some areas have combined to maintain a pristine world of infinite hiking possibilities. Some of the trails that we follow see relatively little foot traffic, while others lead to popular hiking destinations that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime. Hiking days are moderately strenuous and follow footpaths that traverse rocky mountain trails, smooth sandstone formations and sandy washes.
We experience a range of high end accommodations and enjoy dinner in the company of the group, and some nights offer a dining experience away from our accommodations at one of the many fabulous local restaurants in town. Breakfast is a buffet taken at your leisure. Lunch is a picnic enjoyed on a high bluff with spectacular views, or in a hidden canyon surrounded by quiet echoes and stunning rock formations.
Trip Itinerary
Transfer to Sedona and check into our well-appointed hotel. Sedona’s town center is lively with outdoor cafes, eclectic shops, art galleries and people from all over the world. Meet your guide at 7:00 pm in the hotel lobby for introductory talk, drinks and dinner.
Our goal for the first day’s outing is a stunning loop hike taking us north of town up and over Soldier’s Pass. Today we hike past Sedona’s Seven Sacred Pools with incredible views of the red rock canyons as well as Coffeepot Rock and Capitol Butte. We will return to our hotel by late afternoon for an evening on the town.
Distance: 6 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 900 ft.
Today we drive a few miles up Oak Creek Canyon, known for its colorful rocks, unique formation and abundance of greenery. From the trailhead we climb up to the red rock canyon rim overlooking the Sedona Valley and continue to the summit of Wilson Mountain. Wilson Mountain stands at 7,100 feet and is the tallest point in Sedona. After seeing Sedona from the top, we make our way back to town for our last evening at the Abrigados Resort and along the way will enjoy a stop at Indian Gardens, a beautiful boutique local shop and cafe for a hot drink and snack.
Distance: 8 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 2400 ft.
Our hike today gives us a little bit of everything and is the loop hike in Sedona to not be missed! The Hangover Trail begins a short distance from our hotel as we start our journey on the Munds Wagon Trail, a famous first-of-its-kind cattle trail from the late 1800s. Soon we are walking along and on the red rock formations that surround the Sedona Valley. This loop hike links up the very best single-track in Sedona and offers some of the best photography for the week. Get ready to test the friction between the rock and your shoes! Following our hike we will move into the five- star Enchantment Resort for the remainder of our trip. Distance: 8 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 1500 ft.
Directly from our front door, we will explore the lesser known and secret trail up to the Boynton Subway. Named for its narrow cylindrical walls, the Boynton Subway is an iconic red rock sandstone formation that is not to be missed. The site of this narrow tunnel also offers structures and carvings from the Ancestral Puebloans who occupied this area of the Sonoran desert over 1,000 years ago. Following our short hike to the Subway, we will make our way along the trail network to hike around Mescal Mountain. Another stunning red rock formation that you can see from our Resort Hotel.
Distance: 4 to 8 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 500-1000 ft.
Today we will climb up Bear Mountain, a steep and rewarding summit hike near the Enchantment Resort. This hike will add a challenge to finish off our week as we climb steeply up through multiple layers of Sedona sandstone rock. The views are absolutely stunning of the surrounding valley as we spend our time at the top of Bear Mountain. We will then descend back to the Enchantment Resort for an evening of relaxation and final group dinner.
Distance: 5 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 2400 ft.
