Templeton Trail
Smooth, scenic loop around Cathedral Rock. The postcard ride.
Trail beta
Park at the middle viewing point on Hwy 179 between Village of Oak Creek and Sedona (Red Rock Pass required) and ride Bell Rock Pathway 0.7 mi through the tunnel under 179 to reach Templeton. Use Llama Trail as the connector between Little Horse and Templeton to avoid the hiker-packed Bell Rock Pathway. Templeton winds northwest around Cathedral Rock and links into Cathedral Rock Trail at 2.4 mi. Stop at Cathedral for the classic view. Sedona intermediate-classic loop when stacked with Baldwin, HT, or Slim Shady.
When to go
Open year-round on USFS Coconino National Forest land (Red Rock Pass required at trailhead). Best September through May; fully exposed with almost no shade, so summer rides demand dawn or dusk starts. Templeton is a popular hiker/biker shared trail, so weekend mornings in peak season (October-April) get crowded. Avoid riding within 24 hours of rain.