Soldier Pass Trail Hiking Guide
Soldier Pass packs more sights into its first mile than most Sedona trails manage in five: a collapsed sinkhole, a stair-step of rock pools and a side trip to an arch, before it climbs into the Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness and tops out on Brins Mesa. Getting to the start is the hard part. The trailhead sits in a residential neighborhood with a tiny gated lot, and for four days a week the shuttle is the only way in.
Route and Distances
AllTrails maps the out-and-back at 4.9 miles with 816 feet of gain. The Forest Service is shorter on both counts: 4 miles round trip and 641 feet in its stats box, though its own narrative works out to a 4.5-mile hike, so expect something between the two. A quarter mile in, Devil's Kitchen opens just right of the trail; another level quarter mile brings the Seven Sacred Pools on the left. Arizona cypress gives partial shade until a jeep road's end at 1.2 miles, and the wilderness boundary sign comes just after.
Arch Spur and the Pass
At the wilderness sign the trail forks. The right branch climbs steeply for about a quarter mile to an arch and the alcove many hikers call Soldier Pass Cave, a scramble with big views. The main trail goes left, leaves the shade and gets steeper and rockier toward the pass. Near the two-mile mark it levels out on Brins Mesa and meets the Brins Mesa Trail about a quarter mile later, with Sedona to the south and the cliffs of the Mogollon Rim to the north. Many people loop back via Brins Mesa; it's longer, so carry a map.
Getting In: Gate, Shuttle, Neighborhood
From the roundabout, take 89A west 1.2 miles to Soldier Pass Road, go 1.5 miles to Rim Shadows Drive and then 0.2 mile to the gated entry on the left. The Forest Service says the trailhead and lot are closed from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. every day, and the city's shuttle FAQ adds that the 14 spaces are closed to the public whenever the Sedona Shuttle runs, which is Thursday to Sunday all year. Those days, ride Route 14 from the Posse Grounds Park & Ride on Carruth Drive. It runs less often than the other lines because the Forest Service caps it at 300 passengers a day, so check the schedule for your return trip.
Bikes, Jeeps and Dogs
Bicycles may use only the first 1.3 miles, up to the wilderness boundary. Jeep tours and other off-road vehicles use the dirt road near the start, which the Forest Service notes keeps the first half busy, and motorized access past the trailhead is by Forest Service permit only. Leashed dogs are allowed, but the pools and the sinkhole rim are not places to let a dog explore, and the arch spur is a scramble.
Heat and Timing
The climb above the wilderness sign is exposed. In summer, start as early as the 8 a.m. gate or first shuttle allows and carry plenty of water; the forest advises a liter an hour per person in hot conditions. With the gate closing at 6 p.m., sunset hikes from this trailhead aren't possible.
Hiking tips for Soldier Pass Trail
- Thursday to Sunday, park at Posse Grounds and take Route 14; the trailhead lot is closed to cars.
- Monday to Wednesday the lot holds only 14 cars; the Forest Service points to the Jim Thompson Trailhead off Jordan Road for more parking and restrooms.
- Note the last return shuttle before you head up to the pass.
- Keep well back from the rim of Devil's Kitchen, a sinkhole with a sheer drop.
- Bring a map if you plan to loop back over Brins Mesa.
Nearby trails to explore
- Sedona Airport Loop Trail
- Devil's Bridge Trail (Sedona)
- Boynton Canyon Trail
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Soldier Pass is easiest with a plan, and a shuttle seat beside someone who has done it. Use TrailMates to find Sedona hikers heading to Soldier Pass. Download the TrailMates app to connect.