This popular hike has attractions for both casual hikers who lack the desire or the stamina to stray too far from civilization, and the more adventurous outdoors enthusiasts. Starting at the parking area, follow the trailmarker that points the way to Devil’s Bridge Trail. You’ll find the early going effortless; the trail, originally built for jeep travel, is smooth and clear and leads you through washes filled with juniper and prickly pear cactus.
The path slowly inclines uphill, gently growing more steep as you progress. There’s some beautiful scenery to absorb as you proceed upward, but you’ve still got a ways to go before you get to see Devil’s Bridge itself.
After you’ve walked about three-quarters of a mile from the parking area, the trail will divide. Head down the path to the left and you’ll end up at the base of the bridge. For a cool view, stand directly under the 50 foot high arch and look toward the heavens — and take care not to strain your neck.
But it’s the topside trail that provides the biggest treat. Follow it up a steep, natural rock staircase to a wide open area that offers some fantastic views. Keep going, and you’ll reach yet another level that leads directly to Devil’s Bridge.
If you have the nerve, you can walk across the top; once you’re on it you’ll find it’s not such a tough walk. But use caution and exercise some common sense; it’s a long way down.
The Hike House Sedona Trail Rating System provides actual hiker feedback and ratings of each of the Sedona hiking trails. The cumulative trail ratings for the Devil’s Bridge Trail submitted by fellow hikers is located above with the Trail Data. Your trail feedback and ratings are an important resource for fellow hikers and provide a personal account of your trail experience from which others may learn. So please hike Sedona, help others, and rate a trail today!
Don’t recommend little kids due to last ascent/descent steepness right before arch. Short hike and most enjoyable. Views spread out from atop arch. Trekking poles come in handy. Can drive to TH with high clearance two-wheel vehicle. Thanks to Greg for recommending Devils Arch…great short hike.
Expect to walk to the trailhead unless you have an SUV. A little difficult in the begining but worth the hike for great pictures on top of the arch.
Just love the gradual start as it feels like a resort walk But the final steps up to the bridge take focus. The energy felt on the bridge was a bit dizzying and a wonderful heartfeltfeeling enters upon sitting and viewing for a long and late afternoon.
We hiked from the parking lot because we were afraid our SUV wouldn’t make it and after watching several vehicles stop and park we were happy with our decision. The beginning of the trail is a good time to get adjusted and view the terrain. Once we passed the trail head it became more important to look for the cairns in order to follow the trail. On the natural stair case leading to the large flat ledge I learned to just take my time and bear crawl if necessary (i had photo equipment in a pack on my back). This trick definitely helped on the second set up stairs. Once I was at the top I just had to get out on the bridge. It was an amazing experience for someone used to hiking in Missouri where we don’t have rock structures such as this. Perfect photo op for me and my friends! Thanks Mike for giving us GREAT trails to hike! We had a wonderful experience thanks to your advice!
Our family of 4 (from 12 to 56) had a great time on this hike. It was well worth the long dusty walk on FR 152 to the trailhead, as we did not have a 4wd and didn’t want to risk the rental car.It gets crowded, so we were glad we avoided this on the weekend. There are a few steep spots on the trail but nothing the average person couldn’t handle… We are fit but saw folks of all ages, from little ones to grandparents in their 70s. The bridge is amazing. We walked half way over it to get the photo op, but there was another guy who went across, and then felt the need to leap across the chasm at the end of the bridge…don’t do it! (The Hike House edit: New trail opened up call “Chuck Wagon Trail.” This trail maybe accessed off of Long Canyon Road. From the trailhead, it is 1.2 miles to Devil’s Bridge…a much better way to get there than the old dusty road.)
Great hike with spectacular views. We hiked to the TH via the chuckwagon trail, which was a pleasant hike and avoided the dust and noise on FR 152. See the folks at the Hike House to get details on this.
We stated out on mescal trail off of long canyon rd. We took that to chuck wagon and crossed the road to devils bridge trail. We got lost and ended up following a dry creek bed for awhile. We still made it and chalk it up to part of the adventure! Awesome hike though.
this is a must do trail,
i planned to park the car at the beginning of FR-152 to avoid driving on the dirt road but it was under construction, luckily i parked at Long Canyon road and reach the DB trail head from there thus i won another hike,
the views from Devil Bridge are great,don’t forget to get yourself in a picture standing on a bridge… 🙂
started from Chuck wagon trail, should put devil’s bridge sign there. Easy trail, amazing view…Anyone can do it…
Great views of an amazing natural bridge! Devils bridge was very pretty and fun to walk out on. An easy hike if you start early in the morning while it’s still cool outside.
From the trailhead, trail started out gently and inviting. As it went along, a little more rugged, some scrambling up rocks, and with spectacular views. Cannot wait to return to Sedona, and hike it again.
What an amazing trail! You definitely earn the views at the top! Took the Chuckwagon trail to the devils bridge trail head and the views were amazing the entire way! If your a experienced hiker and have one day here, this is your hike!
Great views! A little climbing at the end but soooooo worth it. We saw all age groups, shapes and sizes making it just fine.
Beautiful hike, most is pretty leisurely but gets a but steep the last few minutes up to the bridge. Absolutely worth the time to get up there, the views are stunning and the bridge is super cool!
Beautiful Hike, LOVE the bridge it remindes me of the bridge from Lord Of The Rings 😉 A little steep going up but is so worth the view! really fun and challangeing! I LOVE this hike!
I loved this trail. We started at the Chuckwagon TH and really enjoyed that leg of the trail a lot. It was my first first hike in the desert and I was in awe of the beauty. This part of the trail really allows you to admire the beauty becaus it is not hard. Once you cross the 4×4 road and start up to Devils Bridge it gets harder. The last little but toward the top is hard but well worth the effort. I loved this trail! I am a fair weather hiker and would recommend this trail to everyone except kids. The bridge itself is just breath taking! I recommend starting early due to the heat and the crowds.
This is a very nice hike and one that is fairly easy once you reach the trailhead. Recently, you must have a four wheel drive high Suspension vehicle to reach the trailhead, otherwise the walk to the trail is a few miles. My friend who is 77 hiked the trail but twisted her ankle on the walk along the washboard road leading up to the trailhead. The trail is in good condition and there are stairs helping you reach the higher elevation near the end of Devil’s Bridge but don’t expect the stairs to be carpeted and older hikers might need a helping hand during the last few hundred yards.
This was our first trail experience in Sedona. My wife and I decided to try it and parked at the dry creek road TH and took the chuck wagon trail to devils for a longer hike. The hike was awesome, started around 9am on a beautiful day. It gets a little intimidating as you start to get closer to the top and steep but we were so happy we continued on to share a spectacular view and moment with the others on the trail that were feeling the same things. A MUST for anyone, memories we will have forever….. thanks Sedona!
Not difficult because of the terrain but because of the heat. I literally almost passed out from heat exhaustion on this trail. Don’t get me wrong, the views were INCREDIBLE, but I felt like I was in an oven. I’m visiting from the Midwest and haven’t adjusted to the AZ heat yet, so that’s probably why it got to me so much. My friend I was with who lives in Phoenix said it felt awesome, apparently temps in the 90’s feel like a spring day compared to a Phoenix summer. So I guess if you’re from AZ it’s an easy trail, but if you’re visiting from a cooler climate, be careful and bring lots of water.
Hiked Friday. Very difficult for the last part of climb. Lots of packed and icey snow on rocks making trip up very slick and trip down even worse, some people sliding on the rock steps on their seat because it was safer. Alternate routes were made through woods it was so bad, damaging the area. Lots of wet soil/mud on way…hiking boots a necessity.
We parked in lot (no payment needed) and hiked from there. It’s flat and sandy at first but progressed to steep rock stairs. Final destination was amazing. There’s a side landing that allows observers to watch and photograph others who are on the bridge. I actually felt a bit queezy looking at people who were on bridge but didn’t feel that way when I, myself, was on the bridge being photographed. Definitely worth it. Also great on way down to take side path to go under bridge and look up. Just do it!
Super-popular hike for the ‘Instagram photo’ on the bridge, but totally worth it just for that.
Most of the trail to the bridge is easy, although gradually going uphill. Final bit has a steep hike/scramble up to a wide promontory just before a short scramble up to the ledge that sits across from the bridge. The scrambling isn’t particularly hard, but the trail is open to sun, so we felt well-baked by the time we got there. Ice-water in the backpack reservoir was a welcome relief.
Good news is that going back down is really easy and feels much shorter than the way up.
Once again, the Hike House Guidebook was right on- one of the ‘top five must-do’ hikes.