Chimney Rock Loop

Hello hikers. Join me on Monday, April 13, 2026 for a hike around Chimney Rock. This is an Easy 3 mile loop around the Chimney Rock and Little Sugarloaf formations. We'll be hiking the Chimney Rock Pass Trail (essentially the Upper Loop) followed by the Chimney Rock Lower Loop Trail.
There are some narrow spots and a few steep areas on this hike.

With all the visitors in town, rather than parking at the Thunder Mountain trailhead parking area, we'll park and meet at the parking area at the north end of Andante Drive.

To reach the Andante Drive parking area, from the "Y," drive west on SR 89A toward Cottonwood for about 2.5 miles then turn right on Andante Drive. Drive north on Andante Drive for about 1 mile to the end, where you'll see a large green tank on the left and a dirt road and a parking area straight ahead. A parking pass is not required and there are no bathrooms.

NOTE: There may be construction on Andante Drive but you should be able to traverse it without a problem.

We'll begin the hike promptly at 7:30 AM and hike west a short distance on the Andante Trail to the Thunder Mountain Trail, turn right and hike to the Chimney Rock Pass Trail. We'll be hiking around Chimney Rock and Little Sugarloaf in a counter-clockwise direction.

The weather folks are predicting rain for Saturday, Sunday and Monday. (Sedona Weather Forecast) If it becomes necessary to cancel the hike, I'll send out an announcement via the Meetup App late Sunday/early Monday morning to the registered attendees of the hike.

This is a senior-led hike. So if you are looking for a cardio workout, this isn't the hike for you. You are responsible for your safety on the hike.