Hey guys! Thanks for taking the time to read my blog on the Birthing Cave. My name is Jessica and I’m a 32 year old living in Florida. My passion for travel came naturally. I have always been in awe of other cultures and learning new things along the way. In 2011, my now husband and I started with our first trip to Costa Rica and we were hooked. The mix of new experiences, adrenaline rush and diversity of nature left us wanting more.
Visiting Sedona for the First Time
Sedona was a place we visited for the first time a couple of years ago. We planned multiple hikes on this visit but the Birthing Cave was at the top of our list because of its short distance and epic window view. I found its location through a blog about hiking in Sedona while doing some research. We have not returned since this visit but we do plan to. It’s worth hiking multiple times as it brings calmness and challenge at the same time.
I believe the hike to the Birthing Cave should be on everyone’s bucket list of hikes simply because of its beauty. It’s known to represent your mothers womb/the circle of life. From behind all you see is the wall and cavity of the red rock. But the view outside the oval shape is life itself – Mother Nature!
Long Canyon Trail to Birthing Cave
You start on Long Canyon Trail (link here for the AllTrails info) with limited parking spots, so start early or get lucky with a park! As you reach the fence just over half a mile in you make that immediate left turn. It’s an easy 45 minute hike until you reach the bottom of the cave, then it’s about 10 minutes of hiking up a steep and ridged climb but it’s totally doable.
Just take your time and you will be fine. We arrived at 10am and were the only ones there. We couldn’t believe it! I guess it was pure luck because I heard it was a well loved hike which normally has groups of people there. It was quiet and the oval-shaped view of Sedona’s mountains was incredible.
How Difficult is the Hike to Birthing Cave?
The hike is easy until you reach the bottom of the cave where it becomes steep. I wouldn’t say that certain people might not be able to climb into the cave because it’s doable, however it might just be more challenging for some. If you take your time and observe what is around you, then for sure you can do it! If for other reasons you can’t climb into the cave, the hike is still beautiful and you can see its heart-shaped form from below.
Trying to climb into the hole within the rock at the back of the cave brought us a few laughs. It’s quite slippery and hard to sit in. The challenges of this place made it fun. That is where we got our shot from using a wide lens. If you can make it up into the cave, the next challenge will be climbing into the hole within the cave and finding some awesome photo ops.
Where to Stay in Sedona, Arizona
Anywhere in Sedona is fine to stay, even if you are camping. It’s a two mile hike that can be done in two hours. If you love hiking it’s possible to do other hikes on the same day. There is no perfect time for its views because all throughout the day is beautiful. Whether it’s early morning, mid day or sunset – these are all great times but the parking can be limited mid day. We stayed at the Best Western Plus in the Sedona Arts Center area.
Final Tips for Hiking Birthing Cave
Once you enter, take a moment for yourself. Take a few deep breaths, admire the view and try to sit inside the hole. Try to really appreciate your surroundings. It’s a very special place and an extremely rewarding hike. There is no other place like it in the world. Wear a pair of good hiking shoes and bring plenty of water. Be safe climbing up, there is no reason to rush.