Everything you need to know to hike Soldier Pass
Soldier Pass is similar to many Sedona hikes in the way it is surrounded by beautiful red rocks and beautiful landscapes. It is different from other Sedona hikes from the natural elements and unique sightings you won’t find on any other Sedona hike. From a massive sink hole to exploring a large cave, this hike offers an adventure for everyone in your group! Keep reading for your complete guide on how to hike Soldier Pass!
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Hike Overview
- Length: 4.7mi roundtrip
- Difficulty: Easy (Moderate at end)
- Time: 2.5 hours
- Where to Start: Parking lot on Soldiers Pass Road or Jordan Trail to Brins Mesa Trail
- Highlights: Devil’s Kitchen, 7 Sacred Pools, Solders Arch Cave
- Red Rocks Pass required
Soldier Pass: Where to park?
The official parking lot for Soldier Pass is located on Soldier Pass Road. Type Soldier Pass Trailhead into your GPS and it will take you to the parking lot which is tucked away in a residential neighborhood. The parking lot is open 8am – 6pm each day and only has 10-15 parking spots. Net, parking will likely be an issue here. If it is full, the next closest lot is 0.5 miles up the road (you will pass it on the way in if you drive down to the trailhead parking lot), which will obviously add a little to the length of the total hike.
Understandably, parking on the side of the road in this residential neighborhood is prohibited and very much enforced, so don’t take your chances!
Parking Tip:
While we would never suggest hitch-hiking, if you are forced to park at the upper lot, consider flagging another fellow hiker down in their car. Chances are good they will try their luck in the small parking lot at the trailhead. You can ride with them, then when they realize they aren’t so lucky after all, they can drop you off at the trailhead. Then you can suggest they use the same strategy!
Soldier Pass 1st Stop: Devil's Kitchen
Find the trailhead tucked at the back right of the parking lot – take the trail head to Soldier Pass/Jeep Trail. You will quickly come up on the Devils Kitchen (0.2 miles), a remarkable sink hole that supposedly could get larger at any moment. This sinkhole was formed in the late 1800s and is the largest in Sedona at 150ft wide and 50ft deep.
Spend some time admiring this hole in the ground before continuing your hike to the next stop: The Seven Sacred Pools.
Soldier Pass 2nd Stop: Seven Sacred Pools
Pressing on beyond Devils Kitchen, you will get to the well known Seven Sacred Pools in another 0.4 miles (0.6 miles from trailhead). The seven sacred pools are seven deep, small pools that are nearly parallel.
The photos of the pools with the mountain range in the background are spectacular. But, be forewarned, unless there has been substantial rainfall leading up to your trip, these sacred pools may be empty (like they were on our trip).
Soldier Pass 3rd Stop: Soldiers Arch
Finding Soldiers Arch
Beyond the Seven Sacred Pools, your next stop is Soldiers Arch. Be sure to save these directions/coordinates before the hike! Getting to these caves can be tricky, and we cannot tell you how many people asked for directions that had gotten lost when we were leaving the caves.
Follow the Soldier Pass Trail beyond the Seven Sacred Pools for another 0.6 miles (1.2 miles from trailhead), and do not be tempted by the numerous openings to the right that look like they may lead you there. Continue walking until you reach these coordinates, then turn right. There is no state/government sign directing you to this trail, instead it is often marked with sticks and logs by a good samaritan that passed by before you (see arrow below).
Once on this section of the trail, you will end up on an open mesa, remain to the left. From here, the trail is a straight shot to the cave/arch. The last section is a relatively steep climb, but keep your eye on the window in the cave, and keep climbing straight to it. Once near the opening to the cave, walk to the right and climb the natural passageway up into the cave. This will give you access to the window you see in the rock face and the big crack on the inside.
Inside Soldiers Arch
It is a remarkable view and if you are fortunate like we were, you will have some time there by yourself to take in the serenity of it all. There are a couple options to press your luck and hike around the windows or into another cave, but do so at your own risk. While hiking, we saw a local take a daunting passage across the crack in the floor of the cave to the other side, up the steep rock steps/pile and up to the top (if you look closely behind Britt in the picture straddling the crack you can see the steepness of the wall). This climb was more challenging than we were prepared, so we decided to turn back and return to the trail to conclude our last and final Sedona hike.
Word of advice: Do not spend much time at Devils Kitchen or Seven Sacred Pools on your way to the caves. The caves are best enjoyed alone or with fewer people. You will pass back by the Seven Sacred Pools and Devils Kitchen on your way out and can spend more time there then.
If you are looking to for a Sedona itinerary full of hikes across the beautiful landscape, click here! Don’t miss the Devil’s Bridge Hike while you are in Sedona – it is a must!
Other Hikes to Enjoy in Sedona
- Hikes: There are so many epic hikes in Sedona & all offer something different. Click below to read more about these hikes below!
- Cathedral Rock Hike (1.2 miles): Challenging, scrambling, impeccable views
- Devils Bridge Hike (4.2 miles): Photo opportunity, adventure, adrenaline, iconic
- Soldiers Pass Hike (4.7 miles): Many points of interest, not as well marked which adds to the level of adventure
- The Birthing Cave Hike (2 miles): Completely unique landmark, somewhat difficult to find, get there early or go on a weekday
- Bell Rock (3.6 miles): An adult playground, hike as steep and as far as you want!
- Boynton Canyon Trail (6.1 miles): Highly photographed highly scenic crack in the beautiful red rocks
- Red Rock Pass: This ticket is required at many of the hikes and places you will visit in Sedona. There are kiosks at certain trails to purchase on site. Our AirBnB had one for us to use, so that worked great! You can purchase a daily pass for $5 or week pass for $7 here!