Royal Arch Trail
Boulder, Colorado
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
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
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
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
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.
3.0
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.
4.0
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
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
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
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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
Hike the Saddle Rock Trail
Green Mountain via Gregory Canyon and Ranger Trail
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