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Royal Arch Trail

Boulder, Colorado

4.4/5
based on 14 reviews

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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Features

Fitness
Photography
Hiking
Bathrooms
Dog Friendly
Family Friendly
Picnic Area
Scenic
Wildflowers
Wildlife

Royal Arch Trail Reviews

Accurate reviews here: an extremely busy hike, nice views, and more strenuous than you would expect, overall a good workout. Really wish people wouldn't climb all over the arch, it's impossible to get a good picture without a dozen people climbing around, dogs running around, and oh yeah... babies crying... so many crying babies.

Great hike that takes your up quickly in elevation. As others have mentioned it is busy, but that's to be expected hiking in Boulder. If you get there early you can avoid the crowds.

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!

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

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