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Best Forest Hikes near Flagstaff

The directory currently contains 28 quality-checked routes matching this guide near Flagstaff. Their average mapped distance is 4.3 km and average recorded ascent is 293 m (961 ft); the longest route in the set is 11.5 km.

This subset represents 26% of the 108 quality-checked routes near Flagstaff. Its average distance is 4.3 km, compared with 4.8 km across the full local set. Average recorded ascent is 293 m (961 ft), versus 224 m (735 ft) for all quality-checked routes in the same area.

These routes carry the forest tag. The data does not quantify canopy cover or guarantee shade along every section. Within this set, 2 routes (7%) are rated easy, 1 (4%) are rated hard or expert, and 0 (0%) are recorded as loops. Ratings are computed from available distance and elevation data and do not establish current terrain or access.

Data refreshed September 2026

Choose by the details

How do these routes differ?

A closer look at the first 6 routes in this page’s default ordering. These comparisons describe this sample, not the entire destination or a field-tested recommendation.

Shortest mapped distance in this sample

3.5 km

Slate Mountain Trail #128

Compare the climbing too; shortest does not necessarily mean easiest.

Lowest recorded ascent in this sample

14 m

Long Canyon #122

6 of 6 have ascent data. Missing measurements are excluded.

Return logistics

0 recorded loops

Check start and finish for every option. An unknown shape does not mean a loop, and a loop does not establish access to its start.

Plan the return journey →

Distances follow stored route lines; ascent and time are estimates. Current access, surface and technical difficulty need separate checks. How to turn a comparison into a shortlist.

Trails

Moderate

Bull Basin Trail #40

Arizona · United States

Distance
6.2 km
/ 3.9 mi
Elevation gain
679 m
Typical duration
2 hr 19 min
  • Mountain
  • Forest
Bear Mountain, Sedona, Arizona
Moderate

Bear Mountain #54

Arizona · United States

Distance
3.7 km
/ 2.3 mi
Elevation gain
695 m
Typical duration
1 hr 48 min
  • Mountain
  • Forest
Loy Canyon Trail, Sedona, Arizona
Moderate

Loy Canyon #5

Arizona · United States

Distance
7.8 km
/ 4.8 mi
Elevation gain
603 m
Typical duration
2 hr 32 min
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
Long Canyon Trail, Sedona, Arizona
Moderate

Long Canyon #122

Arizona · United States

Distance
5.8 km
/ 3.6 mi
Elevation gain
14 m
Typical duration
1 hr 14 min
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
View of Kendrick Mountain on the return trek to the trailhead. This 2.4 mile moderately easy hiking trail rises from 7,362 feet to 8,215 feet in elevation to the top of Slate Mountain. The trail takes you through pinyon pine, ponderosa pine
Moderate

Slate Mountain Trail #128

Arizona · United States

Distance
3.5 km
/ 2.2 mi
Elevation gain
316 m
Typical duration
1 hr 13 min
  • Mountain
  • Forest
Boynton Canyon Trail, Sedona, Arizona
Moderate

Boynton Canyon #47

Arizona · United States

Distance
4.9 km
/ 3.0 mi
Elevation gain
302 m
Typical duration
1 hr 28 min
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
Fay Canyon is a favorite hike for many who prefer a shorter hike with minimal elevation gain or who enjoy the grandeur of red sandstone walls towering overhead. Some people visit Fay Canyon to see the natural arch located just under a half
Moderate

Fay Canyon #53

Arizona · United States

Distance
2.1 km
/ 1.3 mi
Elevation gain
95 m
Typical duration
34 min
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
Secret Cabin on Secret Mountain Trail, Coconino National Forest, Arizona.
Moderate

Secret Mountain #109

Arizona · United States

Distance
8.7 km
/ 5.4 mi
Elevation gain
435 m
Typical duration
2 hr 28 min
  • Mountain
  • Forest
Long Canyon Trail, Sedona, Arizona
Moderate

Canyon of Fools #174F

Arizona · United States

Distance
1.9 km
/ 1.2 mi
Elevation gain
13 m
Typical duration
25 min
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
The A.B.Young Trail leaves from the southernmost end of the Bootlegger Picnic Area in Oak Creek Canyon north of Sedona, Arizona. Take steps down to Oak Creek, find a suitable place to "boulder hop" or wade the stream, cross the creek, follo
Moderate

A.B. Young No. 100

Arizona · United States

Distance
3.9 km
/ 2.4 mi
Elevation gain
756 m
Typical duration
1 hr 57 min
  • Forest
Moderate

Mooney #12

Arizona · United States

Distance
11.3 km
/ 7.0 mi
Elevation gain
673 m
Typical duration
3 hr 21 min
  • Forest
Sterling Pass Trail To Vultee Arch Trail, Sedona, Arizona, Coconino County
Moderate

Sterling Pass #46

Arizona · United States

Distance
2.9 km
/ 1.8 mi
Elevation gain
358 m
Typical duration
1 hr 9 min
  • Forest
Moderate

Harding Springs Trail #51

Arizona · United States

Distance
1.4 km
/ 0.9 mi
Elevation gain
293 m
Typical duration
44 min
  • Forest
Kelsey Trail For more information about this trail, see the a href=" http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=55118 actid=50 " Kelsey Trail No. 3 /a trail description on the a href=" http://www.fs.usda.gov/coconino/ " Coconino
Moderate

Kelsey Spring #3

Arizona · United States

Distance
8.2 km
/ 5.1 mi
Elevation gain
474 m
Typical duration
2 hr 25 min
  • Forest
Little L.O. Trail For more information about this trail, see the a href=" http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=55134 actid=50 " Little L.O. Trail No. 6 /a trail description on the a href=" http://www.fs.usda.gov/coconino/
Moderate

Little L.O. #6

Arizona · United States

Distance
1.3 km
/ 0.8 mi
Typical duration
16 min
  • Forest
Moderate

Purtyman #65

Arizona · United States

Distance
0.9 km
/ 0.5 mi
Elevation gain
282 m
Typical duration
36 min
  • Forest
Moderate

Cockscomb #167

Arizona · United States

Distance
5.6 km
/ 3.5 mi
Elevation gain
90 m
Typical duration
1 hr 18 min
  • Forest
Near the end of Forest Road 525 in the Red Rock Ranger District is the Honanki Ruins, which are located at the base of this rock formation, hidden by the trees and shrubbery. For directions on how to get there, visit www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconi
Moderate

Honanki #79

Arizona · United States

Distance
0.5 km
/ 0.3 mi
Elevation gain
74 m
Typical duration
13 min
  • Forest
Moderate

Margs Draw #163

Arizona · United States

Distance
3.0 km
/ 1.9 mi
Elevation gain
88 m
Typical duration
46 min
  • Forest
Secret Cabin on Secret Mountain Trail, Coconino National Forest, Arizona.
Moderate

Secret East #114

Arizona · United States

Distance
2.2 km
/ 1.4 mi
Elevation gain
52 m
Typical duration
33 min
  • Forest
Moderate

West Fork #108

Arizona · United States

Distance
5.3 km
/ 3.3 mi
Elevation gain
181 m
Typical duration
1 hr 22 min
  • Forest
Easy

Margs Draw Spur A #163A

Arizona · United States

Distance
0.7 km
/ 0.4 mi
Elevation gain
25 m
Typical duration
11 min
  • Forest
Easy

Yucca #174E

Arizona · United States

Distance
0.6 km
/ 0.4 mi
Elevation gain
18 m
Typical duration
9 min
  • Forest
Sycamore Canyon Wilderness area. Taken in October 2009 by Christine Paulu. Credit: USDA Forest Service, Coconino National Forest.
Moderate

Sycamore Basin #63

Arizona · United States

Distance
11.5 km
/ 7.1 mi
Elevation gain
419 m
Typical duration
3 hr 1 min
  • Forest
Moderate

Cookstove #143

Arizona · United States

Distance
2.4 km
/ 1.5 mi
Elevation gain
48 m
Typical duration
34 min
  • Forest
Moderate

Hog Hill #133

Arizona · United States

Distance
3.4 km
/ 2.1 mi
Elevation gain
203 m
Typical duration
1 hr 1 min
  • Forest
Hard

Winter Cabin #70

Arizona · United States

Distance
6.8 km
/ 4.2 mi
Elevation gain
925 m
Typical duration
2 hr 48 min
  • Forest
Moderate

Connector Trail #80

Arizona · United States

Distance
2.7 km
/ 1.7 mi
Elevation gain
105 m
Typical duration
44 min
  • Forest

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Bull Basin Trail #40Arizona6.2 km679 m2 hr 19 minModerateJuly to September
Bear Mountain #54Arizona3.7 km695 m1 hr 48 minModerateJune to October
Loy Canyon #5Arizona7.8 km603 m2 hr 32 minModerateJune to October
Long Canyon #122Arizona5.8 km14 m1 hr 14 minModerateJune to October
Slate Mountain Trail #128Arizona3.5 km316 m1 hr 13 minModerateJuly to September
Boynton Canyon #47Arizona4.9 km302 m1 hr 28 minModerateApril to October
Fay Canyon #53Arizona2.1 km95 m34 minModerateApril to October
Secret Mountain #109Arizona8.7 km435 m2 hr 28 minModerateJune to October
Canyon of Fools #174FArizona1.9 km13 m25 minModerateApril to October
A.B. Young No. 100Arizona3.9 km756 m1 hr 57 minModerateJune to October

Bear Mountain #54, Bull Basin Trail #40, Loy Canyon #5 currently rank highest in this filtered set according to the directory score. Open an individual route to inspect its mapped line, elevation profile, data source and planning caveats. Check live access, conditions and local rules with an official source before travelling.

Frequently asked questions

Plan with more confidence

All planning articles →

Choosing a route

How to choose a hike beyond the difficulty label

Compare distance, climbing, route shape and missing information to build a shortlist that fits your day.

Read article →

Understanding the map

Read an elevation profile without misreading the climb

Understand total ascent, net height change, profile scale and the section breakdown on each mapped route.

Read article →

Planning your day

Build a hiking time plan with room for your own pace

Separate moving time, climbing allowance and stops, then explore how changing your assumptions changes the plan.

Read article →

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