Royal Arch Trail

Boulder, Colorado

4.4/5

based on 14 reviews

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Details

Distance

3.32 miles

Elevation Gain

1220 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Brock DeHaven

Royal Arch Trail leads to an archway formed by rocks towering over 30 feet high. You'll enjoy views of Eastern Plains and Boulder's famous Flatirons.

Royal Arch Trail climbs up Boulder's famous Chautauqua Park to an archway formed by sandstone rocks that tower over thirty feet high.

Start at the Chautauqua Trail Station by the Ranger Station, and continue up Bluebell Road for 0.7 miles. You will then arrive at a more forested area, where you will head south, following the signs for the Royal Arch Trail for 0.2 miles.

The trail will steepen and the grade will steadily increase towards the upper-gulch up to Sentinel Pass, the most difficult section, which lasts 0.45 miles. Once you reach the top of the pass, you will keep left down 100' and continue for 0.22 miles along a twisting climb over Tangen Spring, which will bring you to the base of the Arch.

From there, climb up the Royal Arch to a set of outcrops with panoramic views of the Eastern Plains, foothills, Boulder and Denver.

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Royal Arch Trail Reviews

Amy Freeman

Royal Arch Trail

06/19/23

Pretty much a continuous climb

5.0

Joshua Johns

Royal Arch Trail

06/10/23

Rugged hike, but so worth it! Trail was clearly marked. Finding a park was the hardest part of the hike, definitely get there early to hear the rush!

5.0

Explorer

Madison Sankovitz

Explorer

Royal Arch Trail

07/26/18

It was cool to see the archway formed by rocks towering over 30 feet high. Views of Eastern Plains and Boulder's famous Flatirons were great. The trail is slippery in the winter when there's ice.

5.0

Explorer

Haley Baker

Explorer

Royal Arch Trail

03/06/17

Chautauqua Park is beautiful, but Royal Arch is outstanding. The elevation gain is killer on your calves, but it is so worth it in the end. Pack a lunch and eat it sitting in the arch overlooking Boulder!

5.0

Pat Smith

Royal Arch Trail

03/01/17

This is an outstanding hike if you want to get engaged!

5.0

Anna Urish

Royal Arch Trail

11/13/16

This is a great workout! After they rerouted post the floods in 2013, this really is a hike with quite the incline. But, the overall view at the flat irons and Boulder are stunning on a clear day. Try and go on the weekdays but even then this trail is pretty crowded. Have fun!

3.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Hike the Chautauqua Trail to the Ski Jump Trail

Beginning at the Chautauqua Trailhead, the Chautauqua Trail goes for 0.6 miles before connecting with the Bluebell-Baird Trail. From here it becomes a choose-your-own-adventure hike. For a short, simple hike you can do with people who aren't ready for lots of elevation gain, take a right and connect with the Ski Jump Trail that connects back to the beginning of the Chautauqua Trail. It is possi...

Green Mountain via Chautauqua Park

Starting from the popular Chautauqua Park trailhead, head west on the main trail to the first branch off onto a smaller trail that will take you toward Baseline Road. Follow this trail until it eventually connects with Gregory Canyon Trailhead—you can park at this trailhead if you wish, but miss out on view of the Flatirons. Head out on the main Gregory Canyon trail that heads due west into th...

Hike to the 1st Flatiron

Starting at the ever-popular and ever-populated Chautauqua Trailhead, take the main trail (a highway version of a dirt trail) straight towards the Flatirons. Continue going straight passed the Ski Jump trail to your right (0.2 mi.), then at a crossroads with the Bluebell-Baird trail (0.3 mi.) turn right onto the 1st/2nd Flatiron trail (0.7 mi.). Follow this trail over a rock slide, twice, and p...

Hike the Enchanted Mesa Trail

Start out on McClintock Trail for 0.7 miles (this particular stretch can get muddy), before switching over to Enchanted Mesa Trail. To add a scenic 0.4 miles to your hike, take the Quarry Loop by turning right at the stone cabin, then following the steps up to the quarry, where you can overlook the park.

Saddle Rock Trail

You can either start the from the Gregory Canyon Trailhead or the main Chautauqua trail. At the Chautauqua trailhead you will need to pay for parking on Saturdays and Sundays and at the Gregory Canyon Trailhead you will need to pay for parking if your car is not registered in Boulder. If you start from Chautauqua, start on the main trail and take the first branch off to the right and continue...

Royal Arch Trail

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Royal Arch Trail Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Hike the Chautauqua Trail to the Ski Jump Trail

Green Mountain via Chautauqua Park

Hike to the 1st Flatiron

Hike the Enchanted Mesa Trail

Saddle Rock Trail

Green Mountain via Gregory Canyon and Ranger Trail

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