Article By : Thatadventurelife.com
Sedona has no shortage of beautiful trails. However, most of these trails are usually rated toward moderate. That being said, Fay Canyon Trail is an easy trail, yet it will take you to some breathtaking areas, including a super cool hidden arch, if you know where to look. It is our go-to trail when we’re in the mood for a short but fun hike.
Fay Canyon Trail trailhead:
34°54’06.8″N 111°51’26.2″W
The split:
34°54’30.5″N 111°51’46.0″W
The Arch:
34°54’35.1″N 111°51’40.5″W
Parking
There is a big paved parking lot across from the trailhead.
Restroom
There is vaulted restroom at the parking lot.
Elevation Gain
383 ft
Level
Easy
Time:
1.5 – 3 hours
Pet-friendly
Dog are allowed but they need to be leashed.
Ideal Weather
Falls and Springs are the best seasons to go.
Ideal Time
Mornings for best chance of parking
Getting to Fay Canyon Trail trailhead
Fay Canyon Trail is located on Boynton Canyon Road. You should be able to look up the direction on your GPS easily. The trailhead is across the street from the parking lot.
The trailhead for Fay Canyon Trail was a little hard to find for us. That was because we didn’t realized it was actually across the street from the parking. The best way to find it is to go toward the restroom, and from there, walk across the street. There should be a wooden sign there to point you toward the right way.
The Start
Once we crossed over the to start of the trail, it seems to split into two different with the sign pointing toward the right. Don’t go that way. We made the mistake of following that route but quickly realized it wasn’t the correct trail. What you want to do is to follow the trail straight to where you can see a couple of wooden posts with sign posted on it. There will be a small metal plague with Fay Canyon Trail name embedded on it.
The main trail is mostly flat and easy to follow. It winds through thick woodland brush, tall trees, and beautiful red cliffs.
Finding the Hidden Arch
The hidden arch is not on the actual Fay Canyon Trail. You have to go off-trail to find it. If you don’t know where to look, it’s easy just to walk right past it.
The turn-off for this arch is about 0.5 miles from the trailhead. We have the GPS coordinates in the stats section to help you find the split. You want to make a right here to go toward the cliffs. It would be helpful to know where the actual arch is since the trail is not very defined. It’s more like finding the best way to go up. We found that the easiest way to navigate this is the save the coordinates for the actual arch in your GPS device.
This “trail” to go toward the hidden arch on Fay Canyon is not for everyone. You will have to hike and scramble up the steep, rocky hills. The trail consists of rocky steps, loose rocks, slippery sand, and pokey cacti. Not the best combination. It is also a steep uphill. We didn’t expect this when we went. Both of us were out of breath and had to stop a couple of times to catch our breath. Luckily, it was a short trail.
The Hidden Arch
At first, the arch at Fay Canyon Trail looks more like a normal rock overhang. It didn’t look like an arch at all. We didn’t know if we were at the right place or not. As both of us went inside, we realized why it’s called an arch. There is a big gap separate the actual arch and the rock wall behind it. It was actually pretty cool to see.
When we first got there, we didn’t realize that you can actually go up on the top of the arch. A local guy that we met at the arch showed us the way. If you’re brave enough, you can follow the faint trail to the right (if you’re facing the arch), and follow it up and around to the top. It is kind of sketchy in certain spots, but nothing super crazy. Of course, you need to know your limit and use your best judgment for this. The view up top is beautiful. We recommend hiking up here if you are capable.
The Rest of the Trail
After you’re done exploring the arch, head back the way you come from, to get back on the main trail. We recommend continuing on the main Fay Canyon Trail.
The main Fay Canyon Trail ends at a big rockslide. There is a sign there telling you that it is the end. You can turn back here. However, we recommend climbing up these dividing rock slabs. The view from here is magnificent. You can see the panoramic view of the lush Fay Canyon. It is a perfect spot to take a break and enjoy Sedona’s magic. Once you’re ready, follow the same trail back to your car.
