Day HikeModerateFront RangeHikingRock ClimbingFamily Friendly
Royal Arch Trail
A steep, popular Front Range hike in Boulder's Chautauqua Park, climbing to a natural sandstone arch with views of the Flatirons and Denver skyline.
Distance5.6 km
Duration2.5h
Gain427m
Max Elev2,100m
DifficultyModerate
TypePoint-to-point
SeasonMarch to November
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The Royal Arch Trail is one of Boulder's most popular hikes, starting from the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage and climbing 1,400 feet over 3.5 miles round trip. The trail passes large sandstone boulders and crosses Bluebell Road before ascending through a series of switchbacks and stone steps to the natural sandstone arch. The summit reward is a view through the arch across Boulder, the plains, and the Denver skyline. The trail is steep and crowded on weekends, but early morning starts reward quieter conditions and better light.