Soldier Pass Trail

Soldier Pass packs more surprises into a few miles than any other trail in Sedona. It starts from a small neighborhood trailhead in West Sedona, at 4,444 feet, and climbs about 641 feet over roughly two miles to a pass on the edge of the Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness; most hikers make a four- to four-and-a-half-mile round trip in about two and a half hours, rated moderate. The first highlights come almost immediately. About a quarter mile in, after the trail dips across a wash, Devil's Kitchen opens just off the path: a dramatic sinkhole where the ground collapsed into a red rock pit, a reminder that the ground here is still shifting. Another quarter mile on, over level ground to the left of the trail, are the Seven Sacred Pools, a series of small, smooth basins carved into the slickrock that hold water after rain and reflect the cliffs around them. Beyond, the trail grows steeper and rockier as it climbs toward the pass, with expanding views across West Sedona to the buttes. At the wilderness boundary a fork offers a steep spur to the right toward an arch, a scramble that rewards confident hikers. The first half of the trail is busy, and it runs near a road used by permitted jeep tours, so expect engine noise early on. The trailhead lot is tiny, with 14 spaces, no restrooms and posted hours of 8am to 6pm. The free Sedona Shuttle serves the trailhead on its operating days, which is by far the easiest way in.

Why it is worth doing. Many Sedona hikes are about one big view. Soldier Pass is about discovery, which makes it ideal for families with older kids and for first-time visitors who want to see several kinds of red rock landscape in one outing. The sinkhole is genuinely startling, the pools are lovely after rain, and the climb to the pass gives a real sense of achievement without the exposure of Cathedral Rock or the crowds of Devil's Bridge. The arch spur is a fine bonus for those comfortable with steep rock, but it is not required to enjoy the hike.

Logistics that matter. Do not count on parking at the trailhead. The lot has only 14 spaces in a residential neighborhood, and it closes in the evening; overflow parking and restrooms are at the Jim Thompson Trailhead off Jordan Road, which connects to Soldier Pass on foot, but the simplest approach is the Sedona Shuttle from the Posse Grounds Park and Ride, which runs Thursday through Sunday and more often in peak seasons. Respect the neighbors: no parking on residential streets, keep voices down near homes, and stay on the trail. Mountain bikes are allowed only on the first 1.3 miles, to the wilderness boundary. Motorized access beyond the trailhead requires a separate permit, which applies to tour operators rather than hikers. As on any Sedona slickrock, bring plenty of water, wear grippy shoes and avoid the exposed upper section in the heat of a summer afternoon.

Protecting the pools and sinkhole. The Seven Sacred Pools are fragile and the water supports small creatures, so do not walk through, swim in or add anything to them; view them from the rock beside the basins. Stay back from the edge of Devil's Kitchen, which is unfenced and unstable. After heavy rain, washes along the trail can run briefly, so wait for the water to drop rather than crossing a flowing channel. The trail is well away from Oak Creek and its flood zone. Combine Soldier Pass with a stop at the Sedona Heritage Museum on Jordan Road, lunch in Uptown or West Sedona, and a sunset at Airport Mesa for a full, varied day.