If you want to go hiking on trails that will move your heart, enrich your soul, and give you a good workout. Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock Loop Trail Perfect in Sedona. This hike will be one you’ll never forget. And you’ll find this trail to be breathtaking at every step.

you would do that Let’s start hiking At the Bell Rock Vista Trailhead. It is located at milepost 307.1, approximately 10.5 miles south of Route 179 from the town of Sedona. This is a popular trailhead, so it can get crowded, but parking and restrooms are available.

The Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock Trail is a 5.8-mile loop trail. Rated as moderate. This trail has only 341 feet of elevation gain, but be sure to bring water as the weather is very hot. Not including photography, this hike will take approximately 1.5 hours to complete. However, you’ll want to take lots of photos along the way, so it’s best to budget for more time than that.

As you begin the trail counterclockwise, you will first pass 4,919-foot Bell Rock on your left. It is possible to climb to the top of this rock formation if you are willing, but the path is unmarked and quite steep. But from where you’re standing, this formation is beautiful, colorful, and very photogenic.

Additionally, Bell Rock is believed by some to be one of Sedona’s four major vortex centers. Many visitors come to Sedona specifically to experience the energies believed to exist in these centers. For vortex enthusiasts, these energy centers can help promote healing, support meditation, and stimulate self-exploration. Many people feel charged or deeply energized both internally and externally after visiting a vortex location.

The entire Sedona area is thought to be a vortex, but those who believe in the power of vortices feel that the energy currents are strongest at Bell Rock, Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, and Boynton Canyon. So when you walk past Bell Rock, you might see people meditating, creating art, doing yoga, or otherwise participating in the local energy. It shows respect to pass by quietly and leave them alone to enjoy their experience.

Continuing on, you’ll find great views of Courthouse Butte, next to Bell Rock. This layer of sedimentary rock is even higher than Bell Rock. The height is 5,454 feet. Many people climb this formation and there are many rock climbing routes available. Don’t be surprised to see people scaling it all day long, or at any time of the year.

This trail allows you to enjoy and photograph Courthouse Butte from many different angles. It’s beautiful from every direction, so you’ll always be on the left side when circling it. Depending on the time of day you take this hike, it can look very different than at other times, so we recommend hitting this trail more than once during your visit to Sedona. It’s amazing to see how sunlight brightens the striking red and orange rocks seen here and creates interesting shadows.

Sedona’s Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock Loop is an iconic trail filled with awe and wonder. This is a trail that I would like to walk not just once in my life, but many times. It’s truly spectacular, and as you explore the area and observe these amazing rock formations, it’s easy to see why so many people believe Sedona is a magical place.