Cockscomb and Aerie Trail Loop: Best Views in West Sedona

From the Cockscomb ridge, you can see exactly where you’ve been and where you could go next. Long Canyon runs below you to the west. Boynton Canyon opens to the south. Capitol Butte fills the view north. It’s one of the most complete panoramas in Sedona and the trail to get there is still quiet enough to feel like a find.

Trail Overview

The Cockscomb and Aerie loop covers 5 miles total and gains 800 feet. Most of that elevation comes in the first mile and a half of the Cockscomb Trail climb, which is steep and sustained. Aerie Trail traverses the ridge and descends more gradually. Difficulty is moderate, with some sections that require careful footing on loose rock and a few short exposed ridge stretches.

Done clockwise, the loop takes 2.5 to 3.5 hours for most hikers. The views from the ridge make it worth every step of the climb.

The Cockscomb is the jagged sandstone formation that gives the trail its name. It’s visible from much of west Sedona and recognizable from the Dry Creek Road area as the distinctive serrated ridgeline above the canyon country.

Permit: No Red Rock Pass required at the trailhead near the end of Boynton Pass Road. City street access.

Season: October through May. The exposed ridge makes summer hiking dangerous. Wind and sun hit you from every direction on the upper sections. Spring and fall are ideal.

Getting There

Trailhead GPS: Approximately 34.9040° N, 111.8490° W (end of Boynton Pass Road, near Long Canyon Road)

From Phoenix (2 hours): Take I-17 north to exit 298 (AZ-179). Drive north on AZ-179 through the Village of Oak Creek into Sedona. At the Sedona Y, turn left onto AZ-89A heading west. Drive approximately 3 miles west, then turn right onto Dry Creek Road. Drive north 1 mile, then turn left onto Long Canyon Road. Follow Long Canyon Road west until it intersects with Boynton Pass Road. Turn right and follow to the trailhead area at the end of the paved section.

From Flagstaff (45 minutes): Take AZ-89A south through Oak Creek Canyon into Sedona. Turn right onto Dry Creek Road. Drive 1 mile north, then turn left onto Long Canyon Road. Follow to the intersection with Boynton Pass Road and turn right to the trailhead.

Parking: Street parking along Boynton Pass Road near the trailhead. Capacity for 8 to 12 cars. Fills on weekend mornings during prime season. Arriving before 7:30 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays is the safest bet from November through March.

Trailhead note: Cockscomb Trail and Long Canyon Trail share the general trailhead area. Cockscomb Trail heads north-northeast and begins climbing immediately. Look for the signed trail post.

Trail Description

Miles 0 to 1.5 (Cockscomb Trail Ascent)

The climb starts fast. Cockscomb Trail heads northeast from the trailhead and immediately begins gaining elevation. The first half mile is the steepest. The trail switchbacks up through juniper and pinyon on loose, rocky terrain. Footing here takes concentration. Watch for loose stones on the switchback corners.

At around 0.7 miles, the vegetation thins and the views open up for the first time. You can see back down into the Long Canyon area and west toward Boynton Canyon. The trail continues climbing northeast toward the Cockscomb formation itself.

By mile 1.2, you’re on the shoulder of the ridge. The Cockscomb’s jagged sandstone fins are directly above. A short scramble up the final section to the ridge crest requires using both hands briefly. Nothing technical, but this is not the place for bad footwear.

At mile 1.5, you hit the main ridge. The full panorama opens. Capitol Butte dominates the view north. Bear Mountain fills the northwest. The Dry Creek basin sprawls below to the east and south. This is the best view on the entire loop. Stop here before continuing.

Miles 1.5 to 3.0 (Aerie Trail Ridge Traverse)

The ridge transition from Cockscomb to Aerie Trail happens near the high point. Aerie Trail runs southeast along the ridge, traversing below the highest sandstone fins. The exposure is moderate. There are sections where the trail is on a narrow ledge with significant drop-offs to one side. Move carefully and don’t rush.

From mile 2.0 to 2.5, the trail winds through a section of broken sandstone benches with short up-and-down moves. Some route-finding is needed here. Follow the cairns and keep the main ridge to your left (north). The trail is not always obvious on the rock surfaces.

Views continue throughout this section. The angle changes as you move east along the ridge, opening new perspectives on Capitol Butte and the canyon country below.

Miles 3.0 to 5.0 (Aerie Trail Descent)

Aerie Trail begins its descent from the ridge around mile 3. The descent is more gradual than the Cockscomb ascent, following a series of switchbacks through the rocky slope back toward the canyon floor. This section is easier on the legs but still requires attention to footing.

By mile 4, you’re back in the juniper zone and the trail becomes more straightforward. The last mile back to the trailhead is flat and easy, connecting across the canyon floor to close the loop.

What to Bring

Carry at least 2 liters of water per person, more if temperatures are above 65 degrees F. The exposed ridge loses water fast. Wind accelerates dehydration even when it doesn’t feel hot.

Hiking boots with ankle support are the right choice for this trail. The Cockscomb ascent and Aerie ridge traverse have enough loose rock and narrow ledge to make ankle stability matter. Trail runners work for experienced hikers who are comfortable on technical terrain, but boots are the safer default.

A hydration reservoir works well on the ridge where stopping to pull a bottle out of a pack is awkward. Hands-free drinking lets you stay focused on footing.

Sun protection on the exposed ridge is critical. A sun hoodie plus a brimmed hat cuts the exposure significantly. Sunscreen alone isn’t enough for a 3-hour ridge hike. Sunglasses with UV protection are also worth it, especially on the rock-covered ridge sections where reflected light is intense.

Bring trekking poles if you have them. The descent on Aerie Trail is gentler than the Cockscomb, but poles help on the technical sections of both.

Photo Spots

Cockscomb ridge crest at mile 1.5. This is the main shot. Shoot north toward Capitol Butte with the Cockscomb fins in the foreground. Early morning (first two hours of light) gives you warm directional light on the rock with Capitol Butte lit from the east. A telephoto shot of Capitol Butte from the ridge works well in late afternoon when the west face glows.

Looking west from the Aerie traverse. Around mile 2.0 to 2.5, the ridge traverse gives you a long westward view into the Dry Creek basin and toward the Long Canyon and Boynton Canyon areas. Wide-angle works here to show the full scale of the canyon country below. Midday light is flat, but the composition doesn’t need drama.

Descent switchbacks with city below. From the Aerie descent around mile 3.5, you can see the west Sedona residential area below with the red rock buttes behind it. This angle shows the scale of the Sedona terrain in a way most photos don’t capture. Check out our desert photography guide for tips on shooting landscapes from elevation.

Safety Notes

Exposed ridge terrain: The Aerie ridge traverse has sections with significant drop-offs. Don’t rush these sections. Turn around if conditions are wet. Wet sandstone on a sloped ledge is genuinely dangerous.

Wind: The ridge catches wind that you won’t feel in the canyon below. Wind gusts can affect footing on exposed ledge sections. Check the weather forecast and consider rescheduling if winds are forecast above 20 mph.

Heat: The ridge has no shade. Temperatures on the south-facing upper sections run hotter than the weather app suggests. Start before 8 a.m. and plan to be off the ridge by 11 a.m. on any warm day.

Route-finding on the ridge: Cairns mark the route through the rock sections of Aerie Trail, but they can be knocked over or hard to spot in bright light. If you lose the trail, stop and look carefully for the next cairn before moving. Don’t improvise a new line on the exposed ridge sections.

Wildlife: Rattlesnakes use the rocky terrain on both the Cockscomb ascent and the ridge traverse from April through October. Watch where you step and where you place your hands during any scrambling moves.

For any trail emergency, call 911.

Related Trails

Long Canyon Trail shares the general trailhead area and is the natural companion hike for a two-day Sedona west-side trip. Long Canyon takes you into the canyon below; Cockscomb puts you on the ridge above it.

Secret Canyon Trail accesses the deeper canyon country further north in the Dry Creek drainage. A good option for a second day if you want to stay in the west Sedona area.