Templeton Trail: Bell Rock to Cathedral Rock's Quiet Back Side

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

Trailheads: Bell Rock End vs HT Trailhead

Templeton Trail runs between two trailheads. The south end connects to Bell Rock Trail at the Bell Rock Trailhead in the Village of Oak Creek, off AZ-179 approximately 6 miles south of Sedona proper. This is a large paved lot — one of the biggest Forest Service trailheads in the Sedona area — holding 60 to 70 vehicles. A Red Rock Pass is required. The lot fills by 9 AM on spring weekends, though it recovers faster than smaller lots because of its size.

The north end connects to the Cathedral Rock area via the HT Trailhead on Upper Red Rock Loop Road. The HT Trailhead lot is substantially smaller — approximately 15 to 20 vehicles — and also requires a Red Rock Pass. Upper Red Rock Loop Road is paved but narrow in sections; it handles two-way traffic carefully. The HT Trailhead is approximately 4 miles from AZ-179 via Upper Red Rock Loop Road.

For an out-and-back on Templeton Trail only, start from whichever trailhead has space when you arrive. For the Bell Rock plus Templeton plus Cathedral Rock combined hike, starting from Bell Rock Trailhead is more practical — the larger lot gives you more parking flexibility, and you can return to the same vehicle without shuttle logistics. A point-to-point with one vehicle at each end is also clean; the two trailheads are approximately 5 miles apart by road.

The Trail: Cathedral Rock's Unseen South Face

Templeton Trail runs on a mostly level grade through the red rock corridor between Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock, making it one of the most accessible long hikes in the Sedona area. The elevation profile is almost entirely flat — about 250 feet of total gain spread across 5.6 miles — with the character of an extended scenic walk rather than a climb. The trail surface alternates between packed sandy soil and exposed slickrock sections, with cairns marking the route across the open rock spans.

The most distinctive stretch is the approach to Cathedral Rock's south face, roughly 2 to 2.5 miles from Bell Rock Trailhead. Here, the formation's back side comes into view — a sweeping curve of Schnebly Hill Formation sandstone that is dramatically different from the iconic spires visible from AZ-179 and Red Rock Crossing. The south face is wider, less jagged, and more approachable in appearance. The Cathedral Rock Trail junction at the north end of Templeton is where hikers who want to add the summit can branch onto the Cathedral Rock approach from this side.

The trail is well-marked from both ends, though the mid-section crossing of open slickrock between roughly miles 1.5 and 2.0 requires attention to cairns. Do not leave the cairned route on the slickrock — the correct path is not always obvious and navigating off-trail on open sandstone creates new social trails that damage the cryptobiotic soil crust. In wet conditions, some slickrock sections can become slippery; the early morning after overnight rain is a particularly good reason to check current conditions.

Trail Breakdown: Mile by Mile (Bell Rock to HT Trailhead)

Combining Templeton with Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock

Templeton Trail's real value is as a connector. On its own, it is a pleasant easy-moderate walk with good scenery. Combined with the Bell Rock Trail loop at the south end and the Cathedral Rock Trail approach at the north end, it becomes the backbone of a 7 to 9-mile moderate-to-hard hike that covers more of Sedona's most famous terrain than almost any other single-day route.

The Bell Rock loop adds approximately 1.5 miles at the south end — a circumnavigation of Bell Rock's base with the option to scramble partway up the formation's red slickrock face (no technical moves required for the lower sections). From Bell Rock, head northwest on Templeton for the full 2.8 miles to HT Trailhead. At the Cathedral Rock junction, decide whether to add the summit scramble — the final approach to Cathedral Rock's saddle involves chains on the steepest section and requires comfort with exposed, hands-on rock. If you skip the Cathedral Rock summit, the round-trip on Templeton from Bell Rock is still 5.6 miles of continuous red rock scenery.

For hikers doing the full Bell Rock + Templeton + Cathedral Rock combination, carry 2.5 to 3 liters of water for the full day. The corridor between the formations is exposed to sun with no shade or water sources. See our passes guide for Red Rock Pass details before you go.