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 {Baby (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. 

The hike can be divided into four sections:

• Courthouse Vista (Northern Bell Rock) 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.    Click on Pictures to Enlarge
Looking east from the trail leading from the Courthouse Vista Parking Lot (just north of Bell Rock) to Bell Rock.
Ascending up Bell Rock Trail.   Looking north shows Baby (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 Baby (Northern) Bell Rock, the large mid-valley rock formation. The valley near the horizon is the pass which contains Chicken Point. The pass will lead to Submarine Rock.
A close up 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 of the valley just north of Courthouse Butte - higher up.
View to the North - higher up.
Chapel of the Holy Cross
View to the South from the first portion of the final ascent to a Spire on the top of Bell Rock. Note the narrow short dirt foot path which leads to a 10 foot rock climb.

Continue Hiking Bell Rock Trail:     

• Go to Trailhead of Bell Rock Trail - Courthouse Vista (Northern Bell Rock) Parking Lot 
    

Use the Links Below to Go to Home Page of Additional Hiking Trails:

• Go to Bell Rock Courthouse Butte Loop Home Page

• Go to Sedona Hiking Trails Home Page