Virtual tour taken part way up Bear Mountain in Sedona with a friend walking their dog. The panoramic view from here are amazing, timeless and very relaxing (once you have recovered from the ascent)

View from Bear Mountain Trail in Sedona - Sedona visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'View from Bear Mountain Trail in Sedona' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Arizona.

The Bear Mountain Trail in Sedona is a popular hiking trail, taking about 4.5 hours to complete the round trip. The trail up Bear Mountain is rated as 'Strenuous' by walkers, climbing about 1500 feet in a 5 mile round circuit.

The trail has several very steep segments and is unshaded for most of the route, care must be taken about the heat and water, especially during the summer. It should not be attempted if covered in snow. Throughout there are increasingly stunning views over the Upper Sonora Desert area, just north of the Oak Creek Canyon in Arizona.

Bear Mountain Trail begins by crossing two washes and proceeding up a shallow incline for a 1/4 mile to the base of the mountain and the wilderness boundary. From here the narrow trail climbs about 140m along steep, narrow and rocky switchbacks. At the top of this first climb is a narrow plateau which is followed by another 150m climb in a side canyon to a broad plateau.

It is well worth pausing to take in the views here. The trail meanders over the terrain to another 130m climb to a false summit from which there are stunning views of Fay Canyon to the northeast. From here is one final push and climb to the summit proper, a flat plateau covered in shrub and low pine trees with no single 'peak' giving a full 360 view. However, you can explore the circumference of the summit for views over Red Canyon and the San Francisco Peaks.

The vibrant red and yellow colours on the rocks are from the ancient deposits of Mudstone, Limestone and Sandstone which form the striations. These rocks are part of the Mogollan Rim, an imposing and distinctive formation which overlooks Sedona and draws the attention of geologists and climbers alike.

Road: From the junction of Routes 89A and 179, take 89A west 3.2 miles to Dry Creek Road on the right. After 2.9 miles turn left on Boynton Pass Road, then proceed miles to another "T" and turn left onto FR 152C. Continue for 1.2 miles to the trailhead parking area on the left.