This is one of my favorite hikes in Sedona—a loop with consistently outstanding views, easy access, and flexibility to make it your own.

The Experience

At around 5 miles, the Mescal Mountain Loop combines several trails into a route that circles the base of Mescal Mountain. I like to hike it clockwise from Mescal Trailhead, starting along the Mescal Trail as it skirts the mountain.

The views are excellent right from the start. As you round the bend toward the back side of Mescal Mountain, the perspective shifts and you're suddenly facing the mouth of Boynton Canyon—one of the standout moments of the loop. From there, the trail connects with Deadman's Pass Trail, a quieter and surprisingly scenic stretch.

From Deadman's Pass, turn right on the Long Canyon Trail and follow as the trail widens and you come close to the road, where taking a right on a short spur trail will take you back to the Mescal trailhead. This connector is commonly used but not always clearly named.

Options Along the Way

This loop is easy to extend if you want more.

From the Deadman's Pass junction, you can head toward the Boynton Canyon Vista—often associated with the vortex area—about 0.7 miles one way. A worthwhile add-on if you have the time.

The Birthing Cave turnoff comes shortly after the next Deadman's Pass junction with the Long Canyon trail—roughly 10 minutes down the trail. Most people turn around at the cave, but the social trail continues past it and summits out on top of Mescal Mountain itself, opening up exceptional views of the red rock formations behind and the mouths of the canyons below. Almost no one makes it up there. The route requires some light scrambling and comfort with route-finding, but it's one of the better-kept secrets in this part of Sedona.

Why this one stands out

What makes this loop so good is how much it offers without requiring much effort. The views are consistent, the terrain is varied enough to stay interesting, and it never feels overly crowded—even as it becomes more popular. It's also one of the easier places in Sedona to find parking, which alone makes it worth knowing about.