West Sedona Bike Loops
Hikers use these trails too, but mostly locals out for a convenience walk rather than visitors trying to maximize the scenery. That's not to say these trails aren't scenic. They most certainly are, especially the top of Schuerman Mountain and the Pyramid (shown above). It's just that these trails traverse easier terrain (shown below) away from the shear cliffs north of town.
The view above was captured near the high school, at the top of a horseshoe shaped hill that wraps around between Shuerman Mountain and Airport Mesa. The top of the horseshoe is a little used parking area at the end of Shelby Road in West Sedona. The open end of the horseshoe faces south toward Cathedral Rock, which provides a great view, but also means all of these trails are without shade. For this reason they are best avoided during the midday summer heat.
Trails included on the map below (starting from left to right) are Lime Kiln, Schuerman Mountain, Pyramid, Scorpion, Herkenham, Overeasy, Skywalker (below), Carroll Canyon, Sketch, Ramshed, Bandit, Ridge, Old Post, Airport Mesa, Tabletop and Brewer. The photo below was taken from the Secret Slickrock Trail, looking north toward Sedona and the high school parking area.
FINDING THE TRAILHEADS
These parking areas are farthest north and closest to Hwy 89A on the map below. Starting from any of these you could have a mostly downhill ride/hike.
Lime Kiln: 34.81368 -111.90065
High School: 34.84706 -111.82827
Shelby Rd: 34.85467 -111.79996
Airport Mesa: 34.85369 -111.78856
Chavez Ranch Rd: 34.83223 -111.79896
These parking areas are farthest south and nearest Oak Creek on the map below. They are generally used either to park a second vehicle (for point-to-point rides/hikes), or for shorter loop and out-and-back rides/hikes.
Lower Red Rock Loop Rd (Michael's Ranch):
Pyramid: 34.83297, -111.81327
Carroll Canyon: 34.83308 -111.81057
Ramshed: 34.83350 -111.80244
Chavez Ranch Rd: 34.83223 -111.79896
Brewer Rd: 34.85846 -111.76967
LOOP 1:
HERKENHAM to OLD POST to SCORPION
Hikers can do this loop in either direction. Bikers will most likely use Scorpion for the uphill back to the parking area across the street from Sedona High School (at GPS 34.84706 -111.82827).
From the parking area take the Herkenham Trail approximately 1 mile to a junction with the Old Post Trail. The elevation drops about 300 feet in this section of the loop.
Turn right (continuing downhill) on Old Post and follow that for .65 miles to the parking area on Chavez Ranch Rd. You will gain approximately 140 feet in this section. Turn right on Chavez Ranch Rd and proceed about 50 yards to the intersection of Chavez Ranch and Upper Red Rock Loop Rd. The Pyramid Trail begins directly across the road from this intersection.
From the Scorpion trailhead it is approximately 1.9 miles (and 490 feet) back uphill to the starting point. For mountain bikes the ride has been easy up until now, but the uphill portion of this loop has some rocky sections that will require beginners to get off and walk.
HIKE DETAILS
HIKE RATING: Easy
BIKE RATING: Intermediate
TOTAL DISTANCE
3.5 miles
ELEVATION GAIN
630 ft
EST HIKING TIME
2.5 hours
BEST TIME TO GO
Sep-May. There is no shade on any of the West Sedona Bike Loops, so avoid doing these at midday in the summer.
PET FRIENDLY
Yes. Must be on leash at all times. Please pick up after your pet and pack it out. Be ready to encounter bikes going in either direction at any time.
LOOP 2:
RIDGE to OLD POST
Hikers can do this loop in any direction. Bikers will most likely start at either Shelby Rd or the parking area for Ridge Trail (at GPS 34.83195 -111.79943). Starting at Ridge this you will begin with a climb of 1.8 miles and approximately 400 feet to the parking area on Shelby Rd.
You could take a detour on the Sketch Trail, which follows a contour ledge with some technical ups and downs if you're riding. For hikers this detour is recommended, since it has a highlight view of Carroll Canyon. Oak Creek and Cathedral Rock.
Once you reach Shelby Rd (the back of the horseshoe). From here you'll have a 2.75 mile mostly downhill run back to Chavez Ranch Rd, dropping 531 feet along the way. Turning left on Chavez Ranch takes you back toward your car. You can either ride the .5 mile uphill (about 80 ft) on the paved road, or turn right on the Ramshed Trail (just beyond Cathedral Vista Drive) to take a singletrack trail to the same place.
HIKE DETAILS
HIKE RATING: Moderate
BIKE RATING: Intermediate
TOTAL DISTANCE
3.6 miles
ELEVATION GAIN
480 ft
EST HIKING TIME
2.5 hours
BEST TIME TO GO
Sep-May. There is no shade on any of the West Sedona Bike Loops, so avoid doing these at midday in the summer.
PET FRIENDLY
Yes. Must be on leash at all times. Please pick up after your pet and pack it out. Be ready to encounter bikes going in either direction at any time.