Little Horse Trail No. 61
Little Horse Trail begins as part of the Bell Rock Pathway. Follow this wide trail southward for 0.25 mile. Here, at a signed fork, take the old jeep road branching to the left and marked with basket cairns. The road drops to cross a dry streambed, climbs a bit and ends at the 0.75 mile point. The trail continues to the left and climbs moderately, topping out on a large, flat expanse. Turn to the right here.
The level trail leads into a stand of Arizona cypress and intersects Chapel Trail on the left coming from the Chapel of the Holy Cross as it nears the "Madonna and the Nuns" spire rock formation. Beautiful views. At 1.4 miles, it passes through a gate.
Continue for 150 yards passing the base of the knobs of Chicken Point on the left. Take the path left for a short climb onto the bare rock for wonderful views. This point is used by jeep tours via Broken Arrow Road. Return by the same route for a 3-mile roundtrip hike or exit the area by going north on the Broken Arrow Trail with arranged transportation at its trailhead. The hike can also be extended eastward from the base of Chicken Point into the Wilderness area (no bicycles allowed) on the Jim Bryant Trail. Little Horse Trail is mostly unshaded and hot in summer.
At the Little Horse Trailhead, there is a sign with a map of the trail.
Specific Trail Information
Trail Number
Trail Type
General Information
- Difficulty: Moderately easy. Good for beginners.
- Trailhead Elevation: 4,300 ft.
- Elevation Gain: 330 ft.
- Length: 1.5 miles.
- Time: 1 hour one way.
Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful Pass required to park at the trailhead.
Address: 8375 State Route 179, Sedona, AZ 86351
Phone: 928-203-2900
Hours: Wednesday 12 p.m.-4:30 p.m. All other days, open 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
Office Email: SM.FS.Cof_Webmail@usda.gov
Getting There
Parking
Consider the free Sedona Shuttle, which provides service to specific trailheads Thursday through Sunday.
Directions
Location: 35 miles south of Flagstaff in scenic Red Rock Country.
Access: From the junction of Routes 89A and 179 in Sedona, take 179 south 3.6 miles to a paved turnout and trailhead parking on the left (east) at milepost 309.8, 0.2 miles south of the entrance to the United Methodist Church.
GPS (Map): 34°49'07.0"N 111°46'16.9"W
