Royal Arch Trail

Boulder, Colorado

4.3/5

based on 12 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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Reviews

Explorer

Korey Taylor

Explorer

Royal Arch Trail

05/13/16

Completed this hike on a Thursday in May and it was the perfect weather for an afternoon hike. Dogs are allowed off leash if they are under voice command which I love! There were still a lot of people on the trail even for a week day, but that didn't take away from the experience. We had some great conversation and made some new friends as we spent an hour just hanging out around the arch. Afterwards we grabbed a couple beers at the Santias brewery- which has an awesome dog-friendly patio and a great selection of beers!

5.0

Alexandra Sosa

Royal Arch Trail

05/10/16

Beautiful hike up to the Royal Arch with beautiful views. Intermediate hike up the mountain but the arch and views at the top are worth it!

5.0

Bridget Taylor

Royal Arch Trail

02/25/16

This one was more challenging than others I've done. The trail was pretty crowded but we went during the warmest part of the afternoon. My dog had a little trouble trying to scramble up some of the rocky steps/paths to the trail, but otherwise a good hike.

4.0

Leave No Trace

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

Nearby

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 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...

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.

Hike the 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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Leave No Trace

Nearby

Green Mountain via Chautauqua Park

Hike the Chautauqua Trail to the Ski Jump Trail

Hike to the 1st Flatiron

Hike the Enchanted Mesa Trail

Hike the Saddle Rock Trail

Green Mountain via Gregory Canyon and Ranger Trail

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