This trail not only provides a big dividend of scenery for a moderate outlay of exertion but it is easily accessible as well. From the ample parking lot at its trailhead, the Doe Mountain Trail switchbacks directly up the north side of this low, flat-topped Mesa. As you climb, you’ll want to take time out to enjoy the excellent views of the surrounding countryside. A layer of erosion resistant cap rock has given Doe Mountain its classic mesa shape and provides hikers with a great platform from which enjoy the panoramic view. From this 400 foot high perspective, you can see a number of the Sedona Red Rocks Country’s more prominent landmarks . You’ll see Bear, Maroon and Wilson mountains, Loy, Boynton and Secret canyons, Chimney Rock, and the Cockscomb to name a few. Sedona is visible to the east and off to the south, Munds Mountain and Sycamore Pass mark the location of Sycamore Canyon and the Verde Valley.
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 Doe Mountain 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!
This was a fun and challenging hike up the face of the mountain. It did not take a long time (1 hr. 45 min up and back) and allowed for great views from the top of the mountain. Bring water as the top is fully exposed.
For the “I like to be on top” folks, this is a must. The views along the trail are great and get nicer the higher you go. This mesa sits off by itself so you have great views of the valley, Sedona and Bear Mountain. I would love to see the sunset from the top someday, but I’m not sure I want to scramble down it in twilight. Caution: this is not a walk in the park. Think stair climber machine. The trail is mainly switchbacks, but the views make it worth it. Take your time, enjoy the views and be careful as you pass fellow hikers. Make sure you take the main trail across the top to reach a nice rock beach with views of Sedona.
This a a GREAT trail! We have done it twice. It is a relatively short and rigorous climb, so the rewarding views come quickly. The trail is pretty narrow, and the switchbacks make your concentrate on what you are doing. The 1st time we did this hike, we got caught in a thunderstorm and took shelter in a shallow cave like area about 1/2 way up watching the lightening show! When the storm passed and we got to the top, we took in the views east and south toward Bear Mountain. The 2nd time up a year later, we explored the entire top of the mountain. Highly recommend taking the time to explore it all! The 360 degree views are amazing and the breeze is so refreshing!!!!
This would be a great hike for adventurous older elementary kids and teens.
This was a fun quick hike with great views. It took about 35 minutes to make our way up the steep, narrow switchbacks. You have amazing views of Bear Mountain as you make you way to the top. Once on the top of the mesa take the time hike around the edge to catch a great 360 view of all the surrounding areas.
Great hike. Some steep aspects. Bring water and your camera.
Love this hike to the top of the mesa. A little challenging but well worth the views along the way and at the top.
Great Hike!! Short and not very strenuous. The trail zig-zags to the top. At the top there are markers that guide you across the top of the mesa to the other side. From there we marked the location for our return trip. We then walked clock-wise along the edge, halfway around the mesa. The views are SPECTACULAR!! We retraced our steps and followed the markers back to the trail we took up.
Everytime I’ve been on top it has been windy1
But the 360 views and walking along the eastern edge heading south makes up for any weather condition! Such a calming journey and mental balancing make me repeat this hike everytime I’m in Sedona…
Hiked this trail with our 7 yr old and found it to be a nice hike for his age. He is athletic and had no problems. Took about an hour round trip and that was also stopping for photos. There are switch backs also. We then did Fay Canyon right after which is a flat hike and just up the road. Thanks Hike House for your help. Great cookies too!
The best part is wandering around the top after the climb. Bring your camera!
Pretty much a straight up climb, but nothing too strenuous, with an interesting trail and amazing views. Totally worth the effort a short hard climb for a stunning panorma view
Nice hike for most ages. The view at the top is amazing.
Pretty steep in spots, but remember you are going up the side of a mtn so it should be expected. The view from the top was great and it was a fairly short hike. We started it at 430pm and it worked out perfect for sunset.
great hike, spectacular views of Sedona, when you get to the top keep experience the trails on the rim
A moderate hike until the end…loved the experience of the bridge! A couple of tricky turns, so be sure to pay attention to the trail markers. I was fortunate to have a beautiful, smart hiking guide with me to show me the way!
Our favorite! Easy climb to top of mesa that affords 360 degree views. Be sure to remember where you came up as the top of the mesa is wooded and can get turned around easily. Sunset from the top is beautiful but be sure to have light or get down before dark as it gets dark quickly after sundown.
This was difficult hike for me going straight up and down. But I had 3 surgeries this year at 57. The hike on top is absolutely fantastic. Spent 2 1/2 hours on top just meandering the edge all around.
I took going up and down slow and steady (as a 59 YO – no need to be reckless) Sat for a long time in the sun and then hiked around the perimeter. It was wonderful and even though I’ve only done 5 other trails in Sedona, I can see this is going to be a favorite….
My own personal vortex. Love this hike. Trailhead is easy to find, parking was plentiful, views are unbeatable. The farther you walk on the mesa away from the trail up, the more likely you are to have the place to yourself.
My wife and I have done a lot of hiking in Colorado and Nevada, last April was our first trip to the Sedona area We did a few hikes while we were there and Doe mountain was one of them. We were so in awe of the beauty once we got to the top that we hiked it a second time. The views are incredible from the top. We were so impressed that we are going back to Sedona this June (six weeks, can’t wait)and Doe mountain will be the first hike we do. Doe Mountain is my favorite hike that I have done!!!
Great hike, great views, two fifty plus made it to top with no problems
My 2nd favorite trail after West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon. We can’t wait to go back and spend more time at top
Beautiful hike. Marvelous ecosystem to see at the top. If you do wander around the top, be sure you can recognize the right path back down. The difficulty of 3 reflects some noticeable technical challenge, but nothing an agile person comfortable with hiking will have a problem with. My 85-year-old father in law managed it, but he’s pretty athletic and has hiked a lot—definitely valued the hiking sticks! Not for the faint of heart, being cliff-side in places.