Munds Mountain Trail: Sedona's Back-Door, High-Elevation Summit

Roughly 8.1 miles round trip via Schnebly Hill Trail and Munds Mountain Trail, strenuous, approximately 400 feet of gain from a 6,400-foot trailhead to the high point of the Munds Mountain Wilderness. High-clearance 4WD required on Schnebly Hill Road. The east-side summit looks back over Bear Wallow Canyon toward Cathedral Rock from an angle nothing else in Sedona provides.

By The Lowdown Guide Editorial Team · Visited April 2026 · Updated May 2026

Trail Stats

  • Distance~8.1 mi RT (via Schnebly Hill Trail)
  • DifficultyStrenuous
  • Elevation Gain~400 ft from a 6,400 ft trailhead
  • SummitHigh point of Munds Mountain Wilderness (~6,800-6,850 ft, not USFS-published)
  • Road AccessSchnebly Hill Rd — high-clearance 4WD required
  • Gate ClosedWinter, dates vary by year — check current status
  • Alt AccessHot Loop from AZ-179 (no 4WD, longer)
  • Time4-6 hours RT (Schnebly Hill access)
The Lowdown Verdict: Munds Mountain is the back-door summit of Sedona—tougher access than Wilson Mountain, fewer visitors, and a canyon-rim view looking back over Bear Wallow Canyon toward Cathedral Rock from the east that is unmatched anywhere else in the trail network. The Coconino National Forest says the Munds Mountain Trail can only be reached by first hiking Schnebly Hill Trail (1.25 miles) from the Schnebly Hill Road turnout, then continuing 2.8 miles one-way on Munds Mountain Trail itself—roughly 8.1 miles round trip, gaining a modest 400 feet because the trailhead already starts at 6,400 feet. The high-clearance 4WD requirement on Schnebly Hill Road is real and non-negotiable for a standard AWD crossover. The summit is the high point of the Munds Mountain Wilderness, exposed with no afternoon shade, and genuine lightning risk during July through early September monsoons. For hikers who have done Wilson Mountain and want the east-side perspective and a longer day, this is the hike.

Schnebly Hill Road Access: The 4WD Requirement Explained

Schnebly Hill Road begins at a signed pullout off AZ-179 on the east side of Sedona and is paved for the first half mile. At that point it transitions to rocky unpaved terrain for the roughly 5-mile drive to the trailhead turnout. The Coconino National Forest states that a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle is required for this road -- a standard AWD crossover or rental sedan is not adequate. Park at the turnout and walk about 100 yards to the signed Schnebly Hill Trail trailhead.

Like other Coconino National Forest roads, Schnebly Hill Road is gated seasonally during wet and snowy months, but the exact closure dates vary year to year based on conditions rather than following a fixed calendar -- check the Forest Service's current road status before your trip. When the gate is closed, hikers can still walk the road on foot, though this adds significant mileage. The Hot Loop Trail from a separate paved AZ-179 trailhead offers a year-round alternative without the 4WD requirement, but it is a considerably longer approach; check current Coconino NF trail information for exact mileage before planning that route.

Even during the road's open season, Schnebly Hill Road requires judgment after rain events. The rocky sections drain reasonably but soft sandy sections can develop ruts after monsoon storms. If you drove it in the morning and afternoon storms have passed, check conditions before attempting the return drive down. Do not attempt Schnebly Hill Road in a rental car unless your rental agreement explicitly covers unpaved high-clearance terrain.

The Summit: East-Side Views Over Bear Wallow Canyon

Munds Mountain's summit is the high point of the Munds Mountain Wilderness and sits entirely east of Sedona's main vortex and tourist corridor. The Forest Service's own trail page does not publish an exact summit elevation, and secondary sources vary (roughly 6,800 to 6,850 feet), so treat any single precise figure with some caution. What's consistent across sources is the view: looking back west over Bear Wallow Canyon, with Cathedral Rock's distinctive spires visible from an angle different than they appear from Red Rock Crossing or Back O Beyond Road. The view is particularly striking in the late afternoon when the light comes from the west and the canyon system below catches the angled illumination.

The summit surface is exposed slickrock with no shade in any direction. Afternoon sun in May through September makes the summit dangerously hot if you arrive after noon without adequate hydration. More critically, the exposed summit is a lightning target during the monsoon season (July through early September), when afternoon thunderstorms build rapidly over the high country. The rule on Munds Mountain in monsoon season is the same as on Wilson Mountain: be off exposed rock and heading down before noon. Plan accordingly from the trailhead timing.

The summit also provides views east over the Munds Mountain Wilderness interior—a rarely visited backcountry area that contrasts sharply with the busy trail corridors on the west side of Sedona. From here, the landscape reads as genuinely remote. Carry 3 liters of water minimum for the full round trip via Schnebly Hill Road access; more in summer. Trekking poles are useful on the descent from the summit slickrock sections.

Trail Breakdown: Mile by Mile (Schnebly Hill Road Access)

Drive

Schnebly Hill Road to Trailhead Turnout

Paved first 0.5 miles from AZ-179. Rocky 4WD terrain begins immediately after and continues to a turnout roughly 5 miles up the road. High-clearance 4WD vehicle required. Gated seasonally in winter; exact dates vary year to year. Do not attempt in a standard AWD vehicle.

0.0–1.25 mi

Schnebly Hill Trail Approach

From the turnout, walk about 100 yards to the signed Schnebly Hill Trail trailhead (elevation 6,400 feet). The Coconino National Forest states Munds Mountain Trail "can only be reached using the Schnebly Hill Trail" -- this approach covers the first 1.25 miles before the Munds Mountain Trail branches off.

1.25–1.75 mi

Munds Mountain Trail Begins — Steep Switchbacks

Munds Mountain Trail No. 77 branches off and climbs steeply via switchbacks, rated strenuous by the Forest Service. Rocky trail through ponderosa pine and manzanita. Views of the Schnebly Hill Formation sandstone on the canyon walls. No shade on upper sections. Lightning risk builds after 11 AM in monsoon season.

1.75–4.05 mi

Munds Mountain Trail to the Peak Area

The trail continues to the peak area, completing Munds Mountain Trail's full 2.8 miles one-way with approximately 400 feet of total gain from the Schnebly Hill Trail trailhead. Bear Wallow Canyon is visible to the west, with Cathedral Rock and the Sedona basin in the distance. This is the high point of the Munds Mountain Wilderness. Return via the same route.

Alt Route

Hot Loop from AZ-179 (no 4WD)

Paved trailhead on AZ-179. Hot Loop Trail connects toward the Munds Mountain area and eliminates the 4WD requirement, but adds significant mileage over the Schnebly Hill Road approach. This page does not have a Forest-Service-confirmed total distance for the combined route -- check current Coconino NF trail information before planning it. Best for experienced hikers with strong fitness and no suitable vehicle.

Monsoon Lightning, Timing, and the Schnebly Hill Area Context

Munds Mountain's exposed upper trail and peak area are a genuine lightning risk during Sedona's monsoon season, which runs from July through early September. Afternoon storms typically build over the high country between 1 and 2 PM. The exposed sections have no shelter, and being there during a lightning storm is dangerous. The rule: be off the exposed upper trail and heading down before noon during monsoon season. This means starting from the Schnebly Hill Trail trailhead no later than 7 AM on July through September hiking days.

The Schnebly Hill Road area is also home to several other features worth knowing if you are making the drive. The Schnebly Hill Vista pullout on AZ-179 is a popular overlook accessible without 4WD and offers canyon views from a roadside perspective. For hikers interested in the same Schnebly Hill access road area, Broken Arrow Trail accesses the Schnebly Hill Formation from the south side via a different trailhead and is a moderate alternative if the Munds Mountain approach is beyond your vehicle class.

For the east Sedona hike comparison: Wilson Mountain Trail is a higher-elevation summit with more developed trailhead access from Midgley Bridge, larger parking, and no 4WD road requirement. Munds Mountain offers a quieter experience, a unique east-side view angle, a considerably longer approach, and the Munds Mountain Wilderness designation that protects the summit approach from any mechanical or motorized intrusion. See our passes guide for Red Rock Pass and Wilderness area information.

Guided Jeep and Hiking Tours in East Sedona

Viator lists guided jeep and hiking tours in the Schnebly Hill and east Sedona area. A guided jeep tour on Schnebly Hill Road provides the 4WD access to Munds Mountain trailhead without the vehicle logistics, plus geological and ecological interpretation of the Schnebly Hill Formation and Munds Mountain Wilderness along the route.

Find Sedona Tours on Viator →

Affiliate link — we earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Editorial note: Trail structure, distance, elevation gain, trailhead elevation, and 4WD requirement verified 2026-08-16 against the Coconino National Forest's official Munds Mountain Trail No. 77 and Schnebly Hill Trail No. 158 pages (fs.usda.gov). This page previously understated round-trip distance (6.2 mi) and dramatically overstated elevation gain (1,800 ft vs. the Forest Service's stated ~400 ft) -- the trail's true structure requires hiking 1.25 miles of Schnebly Hill Trail before Munds Mountain Trail's own 2.8 miles begins, for a corrected total of roughly 8.1 miles round trip from a 6,400-foot trailhead. The 6,825-foot summit figure is not published by USFS and could not be verified against a primary source, so it has been softened. Seasonal gate closure dates and Hot Loop mileage were not independently confirmed against a primary source and are stated here as estimates requiring current verification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a 4WD vehicle for Munds Mountain Trail? +
Yes, if accessing via Schnebly Hill Road. The road is paved for the first 0.5 miles from AZ-179, then becomes rocky unpaved 4WD terrain. The Coconino National Forest states a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle is required for the approximately 5-mile drive to the trailhead turnout -- a standard AWD crossover is not sufficient. The road is gated seasonally in winter, with exact dates varying year to year; check current Coconino NF road status before your trip. A longer Hot Loop approach from a paved AZ-179 trailhead avoids the 4WD requirement entirely but adds significant mileage.
How hard is Munds Mountain Trail in Sedona? +
The Coconino National Forest rates Munds Mountain Trail strenuous, with steep ascents. The trail can only be reached via Schnebly Hill Trail (1.25 miles from the Schnebly Hill Road turnout), after which Munds Mountain Trail continues 2.8 miles one-way to the peak area, gaining approximately 400 feet from a trailhead elevation of 6,400 feet. That works out to roughly 8.1 miles round trip in total -- notably longer than some older trail summaries suggest, though the elevation gain is modest because the trailhead itself starts high. The upper trail is exposed with no afternoon shade and real lightning risk during July through early September monsoons.
What is the view from Munds Mountain summit in Sedona? +
Munds Mountain's summit is the high point of the Munds Mountain Wilderness and sits east of Sedona, providing a different perspective than most of the area's popular hikes. The summit looks back west over Bear Wallow Canyon toward Cathedral Rock from an angle few other accessible points in the Sedona trail network provide. The canyon-rim view east over the Munds Mountain Wilderness is a highlight. The exact summit elevation is not published on the Forest Service's own trail page and varies (roughly 6,800 to 6,850 feet) across secondary sources -- treat any single precise figure with some caution.
When is Schnebly Hill Road open for Munds Mountain Trail? +
Schnebly Hill Road is subject to seasonal winter closure like other Coconino National Forest roads, with a gate that restricts motor vehicle access during wet and snowy months. Exact opening and closing dates vary year to year based on weather and road conditions rather than following a fixed calendar -- check the Coconino National Forest's current road status page before your trip. When the road is gated, hikers can still walk it on foot, or use the longer Hot Loop approach from AZ-179.
What is the Hot Loop approach to Munds Mountain Trail? +
The Hot Loop Trail provides an alternate approach to the Munds Mountain area from a paved AZ-179 trailhead, avoiding the Schnebly Hill Road 4WD requirement entirely. It is significantly longer than the Schnebly Hill Road approach -- this page does not have a Forest-Service-confirmed total mileage for the combined route, so check current Coconino NF trail information for exact distance before planning a Hot Loop day. It suits experienced hikers with strong fitness who want to reach Munds Mountain without a high-clearance vehicle.