The Bell Rock Trail - Introduction 

This trail is approximately 0.75 miles long and ascends the northern face of Bell Rock.  The trail is well marked as it leaves the Bell Rock Pathway.  The trail is marked with cairns and midway up it forms a small loop.  That being said, the area was crowded and many people were climbing the rock seeing how far they could go.  Some hikers scaled the slippery central Slide area (see figure below).  To the left (east) of the Slide area is another area where one can climb higher-- see red line in below figure.  Some hikers climb this route to ascend to the top of one of the spires.  Again, experience is required.  This is a strenuous dangerous hike and not for the fair hearted.  However, once the top is reached, the views are spectacular.  --  See picture to the right (Northern Bell Rock is in the middle of the valley). 

Note:  All trail maps are designed to give the hiker an idea what he/she will encounter.  They are not designed for navigation or to be used as a source of directions for a hike. 

For More Information Go To: http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=55230&actid=50 

The hike can be divided into four sections:

• Northern Parking Lot to the Base of Bell Rock - An easy hike. 

• Lower Bell Rock Trail -- (Base Section) -- An easy hike.

• Upper  Bell Rock Trail -- A moderate climb to the base of the upper slide area

• The Ascent -- A strenuous climb to the apex of one of the spires. 

   
Below are some of the fantastic views which can be seen on the hike: 

Looking up the northern face of Bell Rock.  Note the central slide area where hikers are trying to ascend.
Looking east from the trail leading from the parking lot (just north of Bell Rock) to Bell Rock.
Ascending up Bell Rock Trail.   Looking north shows Northern Bell Rock, a large mid-valley rock formation,  and one can make out the Chapel of the Holy Cross on the left hand side of the picture below the western butte of the Twin Buttes.
Looking up the northern face of Bell Rock.
View of the western face of Courthouse Butte
Midway up Bell Rock looking south.
View of the top of Bell Rock
View to south
View to the north from Bell Rock.  Note Northern Bell Rock, the large mid-valley rock formation.  The valley near the horizon is the pass leading to Chicken Point.
A closeup view of the mid-portion of the above picture reveals the pass that contains "Chicken Point."
Close up view to the north.
View of the top of Bell Rock
Western face of Courthouse Butte.
View to the west - higher up.
View to the north - higher up.
Chapel of the Holy Cross
View to the south from the first portion of the ascent to a Spire on the top of Bell rock.

• Go to Trailhead of Bell Rock Trail

• Return to Bell Rock Courthouse Butte Loop Home Page

• Return to Sedona Hiking Trails Home Page