Mystic Trail: A Short Connector Along Mammoth Rock

0.93 miles one-way, moderately easy, about 150 feet of elevation change, running between Chapel Road and Pine Knolls Drive along the western edge of Mammoth Rock. Connects to Pig Tail, Peccary, and Hog Wash trails for a longer network loop -- not a Chapel of the Holy Cross viewpoint trail.

By The Lowdown Guide Editorial Team · Visited Spring 2026 · Updated May 2026

Trail Stats

  • Distance0.93 mi one-way (Chapel Rd to Pine Knolls Dr)
  • DifficultyModerately Easy
  • Elevation Gain~150 ft
  • Trail TypePoint-to-point (or out-and-back)
  • ParkingNot specified by Coconino NF; check signage
  • Pass RequiredNot confirmed by Coconino NF trail page
  • TrailheadChapel Road (at Antelope Dr) or Pine Knolls Dr
  • Trail UseHikers, Mountain Bikers, Dogs on Leash
The Lowdown Verdict: Mystic Trail is a short, moderately easy connector in the Chapel Road area -- 0.93 miles one-way per the Coconino National Forest, running along the western edge of Mammoth Rock between Chapel Road (near Antelope Drive) and Pine Knolls Drive. It is not a Cathedral Rock viewpoint trail or a Chapel of the Holy Cross access route; it connects to Pig Tail Trail (twice), which links further to Peccary Trail and Hog Wash Trail. Use it as a short leg-stretcher on its own, or as a starting point for a longer loop through the Mammoth Rock trail network. For the famous Cathedral Rock climb, see the Cathedral Rock Trail page.
What Mystic Trail Is Not:
  • Not a Cathedral Rock viewpoint trail. The Coconino National Forest describes Mystic Trail as running along the western edge of Mammoth Rock, not toward Cathedral Rock. For Cathedral Rock views, use Cathedral Rock Trail from the Back O Beyond Road trailhead -- a completely different route from a different starting point.
  • Not a long hike. At 0.93 miles one-way, Mystic Trail is one of the shortest named trails in the Sedona system. Plan for about 20 minutes each way, not a half-day outing, unless you extend onto connecting trails.
  • Not a Chapel of the Holy Cross access route. Mystic Trail's Chapel Road trailhead is near the Chapel but does not lead to it. If visiting the Chapel, use the Chapel's own entrance road and parking area.
  • Not connected to Margs Draw, Twin Buttes, or Little Horse trails. Mystic Trail's confirmed connections are to Pig Tail Trail, which further links to Peccary Trail and Hog Wash Trail -- a different part of the Sedona trail network than the SR-179/Little Horse corridor.

Trailhead Access: Chapel Road and Pine Knolls Drive

Mystic Trail's official trailhead, per the Coconino National Forest, is on Chapel Road just across the street (north) from Antelope Drive, reached via AZ-179 south of Sedona. The trail's other end is on Pine Knolls Drive. Because it's a short point-to-point route, most hikers approach it as an out-and-back from whichever end is more convenient.

The Forest Service's own trail page does not specify a dedicated parking lot or a Red Rock Pass requirement for this access point, unlike many of the larger Coconino National Forest trailheads in the area. Check current signage on arrival, and be considerate of the residential streets (Antelope Drive, Pine Knolls Drive) near both ends of the trail.

Mystic Trail runs along the western edge of the Mammoth Rock formation between its two access points. For additional pass and permit information on adjacent trails, see the Sedona permits and passes guide.

A Short Connector, Not a Cathedral Rock Viewpoint

Sedona has many well-known Cathedral Rock viewpoints -- the creek crossing at Baldwin Trail, the lower slickrock approach from Cathedral Rock Trail on Back O Beyond Road, and the Oak Creek bank views near Red Rock Crossing. Mystic Trail is not one of them. The Coconino National Forest describes it simply as a 0.93-mile route along the western edge of Mammoth Rock, connecting to Pig Tail Trail, which further links to Peccary Trail and Hog Wash Trail.

At under a mile one-way and 150 feet of elevation change, Mystic Trail is best treated as a quick leg-stretcher or a starting point for a longer loop through the Pig Tail/Peccary/Hog Wash network, rather than a destination hike. If you're near the Chapel of the Holy Cross and want a short walk, it's a reasonable add-on to the visit -- just don't expect a dedicated overlook or a named viewpoint along the way.

Because the trail is short and open to mountain bikes, expect to share it with riders, particularly on weekend mornings. Check current trail conditions before your visit, particularly in spring when overnight rains can make trail surfaces slippery.

Trail Breakdown: Mile by Mile

0-0.3 mi

Chapel Road Trailhead

The trail leaves Chapel Road near Antelope Drive and heads along the western edge of the Mammoth Rock formation. Elevation starts around 4,225 feet, with modest ups and downs typical of a moderately easy rating.

0.3-0.6 mi

First Pig Tail Trail Junction

Mystic Trail meets Pig Tail Trail for the first of two junctions along its short route. Hikers wanting to extend the outing can branch here toward Peccary Trail or Hog Wash Trail; staying on Mystic Trail continues toward Pine Knolls Drive.

0.6-0.93 mi

Second Pig Tail Junction to Pine Knolls Drive

The trail meets Pig Tail Trail a second time before reaching its end at Pine Knolls Drive, 0.93 miles from the Chapel Road start. Hikers doing an out-and-back turn around here for a round trip of under 2 miles; those continuing onto the Pig Tail/Peccary/Hog Wash network can build a longer loop.

Best Season and Nearby Trails

Mystic Trail is open year-round with no seasonal closures. The best hiking windows are October through April. October and November offer ideal conditions -- comfortable temperatures, lower humidity, and the red rock color is most vivid against autumn-blue skies. Spring (March through May) is the peak visitor season and the wildflower window; the pinyon-juniper corridor has scattered desert wildflowers in late March and April. Summer (June through August) hiking is possible but uncomfortable by mid-morning due to full sun exposure on the slickrock sections. Start before 7 AM in summer or skip the midday hours entirely.

Mystic Trail's confirmed connections are to Pig Tail Trail, Peccary Trail, and Hog Wash Trail -- the Mammoth Rock trail network north of Chapel Road. For a longer day in the broader Chapel Road / SR-179 area, Little Horse Trail and Margs Draw Trail are separate, unconnected trails accessed from different trailheads nearby -- treat them as independent hikes rather than extensions of Mystic Trail.

Because Mystic Trail is short (0.93 miles one-way, about 20 minutes each way), it pairs easily with a Chapel of the Holy Cross visit without needing to plan around it -- walk the trail before or after visiting the Chapel, which is a separate stop with its own entrance and parking.

Guided Chapel Area and Vortex Tours from Sedona

If you want a guided experience through the broader Chapel of the Holy Cross and Cathedral Rock area, Sedona's walking tour operators offer small-group hikes covering the region's geology and vortex sites. Viator lists current departure times and pricing for Sedona guided hikes and vortex experiences.

Find Sedona Vortex Hiking Tours on Viator →

Affiliate link -- we earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Editorial note: Trail distance (0.93 mi one-way), elevation change (150 ft), difficulty (moderately easy), trailhead endpoints (Chapel Road at Antelope Drive, and Pine Knolls Drive), and trail connections (Pig Tail, Peccary, Hog Wash) verified 2026-08-16 against the Coconino National Forest's official Mystic Trail No. 157 page (fs.usda.gov). This page previously overstated distance (2.4 mi RT) by roughly 2.5x and described an unconfirmed "Mystic Vista" Cathedral Rock overlook and connections to Margs Draw, Twin Buttes, and Little Horse trails that do not match the Forest Service's own trail description; that framing has been corrected. Parking capacity and Red Rock Pass status at this trailhead are not specified on the official page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Mystic Trail in Sedona? +
The Coconino National Forest lists Mystic Trail at 0.93 miles one-way (roughly 20 minutes at a walking pace), rated moderately easy, with approximately 150 feet of elevation change from a trailhead elevation of 4,225 feet. It runs between Chapel Road, near Antelope Drive, and Pine Knolls Drive, along the western edge of the Mammoth Rock formation. Hiked out-and-back from either end, the round trip is under 2 miles.
Where do you park for Mystic Trail in Sedona? +
Mystic Trail's official trailhead is on Chapel Road just across the street (north) from Antelope Drive, reached via AZ-179 south of Sedona. The trail's other end is on Pine Knolls Drive. The Coconino National Forest's trail page does not list a specific parking lot or Red Rock Pass requirement for this access point; check current signage on arrival.
How does Mystic Trail connect to other Sedona trails? +
Mystic Trail connects to Pig Tail Trail at two points along its short route. Pig Tail Trail, in turn, links to Peccary Trail and Hog Wash Trail, giving hikers who start on Mystic Trail several options for extending into a longer loop through the Mammoth Rock trail network. Mystic Trail does not connect directly to Margs Draw Trail, Twin Buttes Trail, or Little Horse Trail.
Is Mystic Trail a good short hike near the Chapel of the Holy Cross? +
Mystic Trail is a genuinely short connector -- 0.93 miles one-way -- in the same general Chapel Road area as Chapel of the Holy Cross, making it a reasonable add-on for visitors already in the area. It is not, however, a Chapel of the Holy Cross access trail; it runs along the western edge of Mammoth Rock toward Pine Knolls Drive, connecting to Pig Tail, Peccary, and Hog Wash trails rather than to the Chapel grounds.
Is Mystic Trail open to mountain bikes? +
Yes. The Coconino National Forest lists Mystic Trail as open for both hiking and mountain biking. Because it is short and connects to other multi-use trails in the Pig Tail, Peccary, and Hog Wash network, expect to share the trail with riders, particularly on weekend mornings.