Rupp Trail

The Red Rock Ranger District keeps up Girdner Trail, one of many routes on the Coconino National Forest. It measures close to 5.01 miles and carries the number 162. The tread is native material, so expect dirt and rock the whole way. Climbs and descents work out to 5 to 8 percent, and the route is logged at trail class 2. Small lots fill early on weekends and holidays. Stay on the worn tread to keep the soil and plants around it intact. Footing gets slick for a while after rain. Carry your own water, because there is none to fill up along the way.

About 3.53 miles long, Cockscomb Trail runs through the Coconino National Forest and falls under the Red Rock Ranger District. The number on the sign is 167. Underfoot it is native material: dirt and rock, not pavement. Grade sits in the 5 to 8 percent range. Trail class is 2. Step to the side and let horses pass when you meet riders. Sun is strong most of the year, so a hat and sunscreen help. Start back with enough daylight left to finish. Wear shoes with grip and take care on loose rock.

Named for the trees that grow along it, Arizona Cypress Trail covers 1.64 miles in the Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest. It is marked as trail 203. The path is native material, which means dirt and rock with no surfacing, and it can hold loose gravel on the steeper pitches. Grades stay between 5 and 8 percent, so the climbing is steady rather than sharp. Its trail class 2 rating describes a route that is easy to follow but never smooth. Bring water, start early in warm months and check for closures before you drive to the trailhead.

About 1.68 miles long, Dawa Trail runs through the Coconino National Forest and falls under the Red Rock Ranger District. The number on the sign is 188. Underfoot it is native material: dirt and rock, not pavement. Grade sits in the 5 to 8 percent range. Trail class is 3. Start back with enough daylight left to finish. Wear shoes with grip and take care on loose rock. Phone service is patchy out here, so save a map to your phone first. Step to the side and let horses pass when you meet riders.

Anaconda Trail runs 1.7 miles through the Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest. The tread is native material, meaning packed dirt and rock left as the ground lies, with no pavement and no boardwalk. Grades sit between 5 and 8 percent, a steady climb rather than a scramble, and the route is rated trail class 2, so expect a clear but rough path. It carries the number 162B on maps and signs, which helps at junctions where several trails meet. Bring water and check the weather before you start, because shade is thin and storms move in fast over open rock.

A B Young Trail covers 2.09 miles near Sedona, in the Red Rock Ranger District of Coconino National Forest. It is trail number 100. The typical grade is 10 to 12 percent, which is steep enough that the mileage understates the effort, and the surface is native material. It is a class 2 trail. The allowed uses are not posted, so ask before you ride. This is a well known climb and it can be busy, so an early start helps with both parking and heat. Trailhead parking details are not posted, and parking rules around Sedona change, so check before you drive out.

Adobe Jack Trail is a 2.1 mile path in the Coconino National Forest near Sedona, Arizona. The Red Rock Ranger District takes care of it. The tread is native material, so you walk on packed dirt and rock rather than pavement. Grades run about 8 to 10 percent, which means steady short climbs rather than flat walking. It is listed as trail number 660 and rated trail class 2, a simple developed path with no pavement and no railings. Wear shoes with grip, carry more water than you think you need, and check the district for closures before you drive out to the trailhead.

Aerie Trail runs 2.75 miles over native dirt and rock in the Coconino National Forest outside Sedona. Grades sit between 5 and 8 percent, so the climbing is gentle and steady rather than steep. It is listed as trail number 168 and rated trail class 2, which means a developed path with a clear tread but no pavement and no railings. The Red Rock Ranger District manages it. Shade is thin on most trails in this country, so carry more water than you think you need, start early in warm months, and check for closures before you drive to the trailhead.