One of my favorite trails in Boulder located in Chautauqua park. It's a little over 3 miles with some elevation, but I think it's relatively easy. My friend who was visiting from sea level who doesn't hike much was able to do it with no problems. It's a beautiful hike through tree line, nice vertical and stone steps and a unique arch at the top! There are big rocks to sit on and enjoy the stunning vistas and observe sweet chipmunks running about. read more

See all

The hiking conditions at Royal Arch turned out to be a lot more intense than I had expected - a good thing :-) Tip: While the hiking in intense, the views you experience while you hike aren't anything to write home about - quite disappointing. This is the kind of hiking trail that I'm not unhappy about having done once, but I really can't see myself coming back to repeat the experience. read more

See all

Absolutely a stunning trail for beginners! I am a noob when it comes to hiking and haven't done too many hikes! This was a perfect beginner trail for me and our 4 month old puppy! Spectacular views!! There are multiple trails but we chose the longer and difficult one - leading to the arch; it's great for beginners! It took us about 3.5 hours with a real long snack break at the arch. The trail overall I wouldn't say is the easiest, there are parts where you need to climb/jump - again, completely doable for a beginner! You will see a lot of chipmunks on the trail which definitely entertained Coconut, my puppy! This is a heavily trafficked and loved trail by the locals for sure. Very scenic and beautiful! Parking can be a bit tricky specially during the weekends - we got parking in the parking lot but our friends had to street park - again completely doable! This has nothing to do with the trail but I was really glad that people were wearing masks while crossing each other - definitely made me feel better! Enjoyed the entire experience of hiking at Royal arch as a newbie to hiking and Colorado! Will definitely recommend read more

See all

Such beautiful views and myriad paths to take! Paths are well tended and decently signed. Lots of folks out from families with kids to serious hikers. Stunning views around every corner. Bathrooms near the ranger station and along parts of the path. Bring water. read more

Nice hike with great views at the top! Steep inclines and stair-like climb. Get ready for your thighs to burn! Be sure to take snacks and PLENTY of water. More than you think you need. It gets hot very quickly. There is plenty of parking, especially the earlier you go in the morning. read more

Royal Arch - Hiking Near Me

Start at the Chautauqua Trailhead (right by the parking lot by the ranger station). The parking lot is fairly small so you may have to park elsewhere. Walk toward the pine trees, to the left side. You will see signs eventually (as the trail system is interconnected here) but we did get a little confused so it helped to ask returning hikers. One of my favorite hikes. Really fun, pretty challenging but doable, and rewarding. About 3 miles round trip but primarily uphill on the way up. You're only on flat land for a short while at the start and then it's all uphill/climbing boulders. You'll feel it in your calves/booty the next day. Good hiking boots/sneakers are helpful here. Some of the rocks were wet too but I found them fairly easy to maneuver. Bring your hydration pack. The start of the hike is in the sun but you quickly disappear into the forest and the hardest parts of the hike are shaded. Still, it's quite a workout so you'll need the water. It's a popular hike and some of the spots are narrow so you do have to stop and let people pass. If possible, come on a weekday. There isn't much space to hang out once you reach the arch. It was a bit crowded with just a couple groups of hikers. Make sure you go through it to see the view. We found a spot to eat our lunch on a large rock. There was an adorable chipmunk that kept circling us, searching for snacks. Enjoy! read more

See all

What an amazing hike! Came here the morning after GABF (took the bus from downtown Denver) and must say this was exactly what I needed to kick me back into shape. If you're not used to hiking at high elevation, prepare for an extra challenge. It's pretty much all uphill from the start of the trailhead at Chautauqua to the arch, but once you get there, huffing and puffing away, you'll realize it was so worth it. The panorama view is second to none, with the university to your left and downtown off in the distance to your right. What's directly ahead, you ask? Flatland/farmland as far as the eye can see! It was definitely a nice change being from Phoenix. I recommend bringing plenty of water and a light snack to stay hydrated and stave off that hunger, at least until you can get down haha! PS: if you're coming from out of town and staying in Denver, just take the bus from Union Station. That way you don't have to worry about parking! Hint: the parking scene at Chautauqua can get pretty crazy. read more

See all

What a beautiful hike. Did this hike in Mid March and it was beautiful. It was 60s with some wind. The trail itself is about 3 miles round trip. It's a pretty decent workout. Not particular difficult, but can be a little challenging. Don't worry, the end is worth it. We came around 9ish and there were like no one at the arch. I heard it can get really packed and it can be difficult to take some good pictures. Luckily, it wasn't too busy. We came in march and most of the snow melted already. Highly recommended hike if you ever visit Boulder. Expect to spend 2-3 hours. Signs are pretty clear and not too difficult to follow. I suggest using AllTrails for current conditions and recommendations. read more

See all

what a gorgeous hike!! we truly enjoyed the view. it was a Wonderful trail! Steep and a little icy. Plenty of parking for a Saturday afternoon. We go there at 12 most probably and started our hike. It was easy to find a parking though there were plenty of people. Although we didn't have most of the trail to ourselves it was still fun to hike. Every time we would come across with other hikers we would warn each other of the upcoming snow or ice. People were very nice! Spikes are probably recommended Although We did it without and had no problem. Beautiful snowy landscape. But of snow and mud toward the top but all doable without any spikes. We loved seeing all the dogs also :) First part of the hike has clear paths and pretty much nothing to worry about. Once you start getting to the steeper incline part there is ice underneath and a lot of dirt. You just need to pay attention to where you're stepping.The closer part of the arch you will be doing a little Rock climbing as it's not difficult but will need to be able to lift yourself up on to other rocks to get up. It is kind of shady in some parts that can be a little chilly but over all we had a very nice day out. You'll want to be in a little shape at least as it is a pretty steep incline for most of the hike. Prepare yourself about 3-3 1/2 hours to do this hike. read more

Visiting from WI, this trail was my first introduction to mountain hiking. I googled "best beginner hikes near Denver" and this trail was referenced on multiple sites with great reviews. (I wish I had done better research as the trail is actually rated as moderately difficult, but in this case, ignorance was bliss!) When I arrived at the park I stopped in the ranger station and explained I was an inexperienced hiker with a couple hours looking for an easy trail with great views, and the ranger pointed me to the Royal Arch trail, explaining "it's a little slippery in spots but just get muddy and you'll be fine." I feel like that ranger undersold the difficulty of the climb and how slippery it would be. I made it to the top though! And the views were totally worth the trouble and scary moments. I was in sneakers with no traction and had to climb on hands and knees at a couple points, and slid on my bottom quite a bit on the way down. Definitely wish I had spikes for the snowy parts. It took me almost 3.5 hours at a very slow pace, stopping every 30 yards or so on the top half to catch my breath and consider turning back, lol. Glad I didn't. I am not in great shape, but I was able to make it by taking my time and being very careful with my steps. My knees and feet were a bit sore at the end - if I had hiking boots they probably would've helped, but sneakers got me there and back. I would definitely recommend this trail for anyone looking to push themselves a bit and be rewarded with an amazing experience! it is difficult, but doable! read more

See all

Very challenging hike, however I did see a 5 year old make it to the top so it's doable. The trail isn't marked very well tho so I questioned whether I was going the right way at times. Overall, beautiful views and would climb again. read more

Royal Arch - Hiking Near Me

I found Royal Arch after searching Yelp hikes in Boulder. I wanted something that would be on the shorter distance side, so when I saw that this was about 3.5 miles, I figured it would be perfect. Well, it was about 3.5 miles, but the first half of the hike to the arch itself is a doozy: almost all uphill and will give your booty a great workout. Park at Chautauqua Park at 900 Baseline Road and from there you can choose from a plethora of hikes. We set off on a recent Saturday morning at 6:30am before it was too busy with other hikers. You cannot beat the views of the Flatirons and mountains around you even at the start. From then on, the hike to the arch just gets gradually more intense with the staircases made of stone and rock. The altitude does affect you if you're not used to it (like me) and I was huffing and puffing as we ascended. Along the way, we encountered lovely wildflowers and trickling streams. Watch for the signs to the Arch because we missed one, took a wrong turn and had to backtrack. However, when you do arrive at the Arch, it's definitely a sight to see. The rock formation is super cool and the views of the city are fabulous. We were lucky enough to have the arch to ourselves for a few minutes, too. Our timing was just right because as we made our descent back to our cars, there were lots of hikers on their way up. This is a strenuous but fun hike and the Arch is royally awesome. read more

See all

I came to Colorado for a spring break trip & this is the first hike I did. It's a 3.4 mile hike, rated as difficult. Don't be nervous about the "difficult" rating. It was a workout but even as a novice, I thought it was really doable. Just make sure you have appropriate hiking shoes & enough water. There is a parking lot at the base of the hike in Chautauqua Park that is free, but first come first serve. It can fill up quickly as this is quite a popular & heavily trafficked hike. Even if it fills up, there are tons of free street parking on that same road just a quick walk away. We arrived at the ranger station & began our hike around 9:30 AM on a Sunday morning. As you first start, follow the grassy meadows uphill (where most of the crowd will be going). Eventually, people may start breaking off to different trails. Follow the signs for the Bluebell-Baird trail all the way until you reach a little shelter. Once you reach this, there will be a map and signs pointing to the Royal Arch. The route is pretty easy to follow and there weren't any forks in the road where I wasn't certain which way to go. The signs are very clear. For about 1/4 of the hike, you will be walking up and down dirt roads but after this, you will see rock stairs and this constitutes the majority of the rest of the hike. It's tiring, but a good workout and you can see wonderful views of Colorado along the way. I came in March. Typically, yack tracks are recommended because near the last 1/4 of the hike, trails can still be icy or filled with snow during winter or early spring. The day that I came was a pretty warm day in the 50s and I didn't encounter any of this, so I was able to finish without any. It just depends on the day and temperature, so do research accordingly. The arch itself is gorgeous.... Pictures most definitely don't do it justice. It's large & beautiful. You can climb on the rocks to the other side and sit and enjoy the gorgeous view or even eat some snacks/lunch. I would recommend doing this hike early to avoid the crowd. When we arrived at the arch, there were limited people there which allowed for good pictures and a nice, quiet view of the city. On our way down, we saw large crowds of people working their way up so I can easily see how quickly it gets crowded close to the afternoon. Overall, the hike itself took us about 3.5 hours to complete, but this was with about 40 or so minutes of stopping & taking pictures and sitting at the top to relax. read more

See all

Always a go-to Boulder hike because it's very accessible, good elevation gain, fantastic view at the top. Expect crowds and some mild bouldering. If you're taking visitors to explore/shop/eat in Boulder this is a solid, well marked hike so you can get your exercise beforehand. Hike takes about 2.5 hours round trip. Sun and wind exposure for the first half; the second half is partial shade from trees. There are restrooms at the base and at the halfway point. There is also a large parking lot but sometimes it is full and you make need to park in surrounding neighborhoods. read more

Royal Arch - Sleeping through these views - Hiking Near Me

See all

What a view! From the top of the arch, you can see the entire city of Boulder all the way into Denver. Gorgeous! Things to note: - The trail itself is only 3.4 miles round trip, yet, the climb to the top is quite rigorous/steep making this a good hike for beginners and advanced hikers alike. - It's dog friendly, and the trail gives easy access for your pooche to hike along with you! - With lots of pine and spruce trees, it's almost completely shaded, which is nice for us pale faces! - It's one if the more popular hikes in Boulder, so it can get a bit crowded. We went on a Tuesday afternoon, and there was still quite a few people we passed along the trail. - Parking can be tricky, and there is limited spaces in Chautauqua Park, but there is some off street parking as well. Be prepared to get your sweat on and enjoy some beautiful nature! It's a top notch hike in my book! read more

See all

There's not much to review... but if I were to put it in a few words it would be that -- THIS ARCH IS SO BEAUTIFUL! I honestly stood there staring at it for a good 10 minutes because I was in such awe. Beyond this arch, you climb a few big rocks (Don't be scared of heights!), and there's a view of the beautiful city of Boulder! What was so awesome was that you could even see Denver from up there. AMAZING! And a must if you're here and big into hiking! read more

Royal Arch - the arch, worth the hike! - Hiking Near Me

As long as you mentally prepare for the trail, it's worth it for the views at the end! 3.5 miles round trip sounds like a breeze but the trail itself is like nature's stair master. It's pretty steadily up the whole time with steep portions and some rocks. There's also a false summit about half way up that tricks you and your tired legs into thinking you've made it! But don't fall for the trap. Save your celebrating! You'll definitely know when you're at the true top since the arch can't be missed. With all that said, the views at the top are truly gorgeous and the arch is pretty amazing. It can get a little crowded on nice days but the Chautauqua trailhead has a great ranger station with some parking, bathrooms, maps, water stations, and even sunscreen! read more

I'm going to echo other reviewers here and state that I have now done nature's stair master!! Royal Arch Trail definitely has some stairs... Okay a TON of stairs. But all that aside It was a GREAT hike. Here's why: + From the Royal Arch trail head itself it's 1.1 miles to the arch with an elevation gain of 1400 feet (?!). + The trail is very well marked, which helped going through some of the more rocky portions. + Most of the trail is through a wooded area, which was great since it was still pretty hot out when I went. + Awesome views from the arch of both Boulder and the Flatirons. + You can get some fall color peeping in if you go at the right time of the season. I went mid October and saw some great color! +/- Lots of stairs. With such a large amount of elevation gain, in such a short distance you can bet it's going to be steep. Some of the stairs are a lot larger than your average step. Take your time and take breaks! +/- Get. There. Early! I arrived to Chautauqua Park at 7:30 am (on a Saturday) and the little lot by the ranger station was already full. Though I only encountered maybe ten people on the trail heading to Royal Arch. When I came down from the trail it was about 11 am and there were literally hundreds of people heading up to hike. - It does get super crowded under the arch. There's not much space to hang out for long. - The trail is pretty narrow in some spots and it can get difficult to maneuver around larger groups and their four legged friends. I came, I saw, I hiked that $#it! And I'd do it again too. **Pro Tip: It's very difficult to get the whole arch in a picture! There's a decent vantage point if you go to the left as you approach it. read more

See all

Got there 7:20am today, the parking lot at Chautauqua was 3/4full. There are many hiking trails there, start at Chautauqua trail, then Bluebell-Baird trail, follow the sign of Royal Arch trail. We spent most the time on uphill staircase, very rocky trails, make sure take many stops if you needed. Bring plenty of water, and Snacks, good hiking shoes too! Hiking stick was helpful for us. It's a very beautiful trail, lots of hikers today with the long weekend. You can overlook CU/ Boulder on the top. Rated hard trail but not too bed. It's definitely worth it! read more

See all

Great hike! It's a staircase climb and great workout. I needed to stop for lots of catch my breath breaks. The worst was when I was almost to the top and dropped my water bottle and watched it bounce down way too many steps. lucky me, got to climb those steps twice I put a mountain sticker over my dented bottle and will always remember this hike. But anyway, so worth all the effort-great view! Can't wait to do it again! read more

Royal Arch - The water bottle that rolled down royal arch trail - Hiking Near Me

Great hike! It gets a bit crowded by the arch, but the view is worth it! The arch is oddly hard to photograph. Be sure to check out the notebook by the arch. There are lots of neat messages in it. read more

Royal Arch - Arch power! - Hiking Near Me

See all

The Royal Arch was one of the most challenging (but also rewarding!) hikes I've ever done. I told my husband to pick a hike that had a "wow" at the end, and this one definitely did. It is just up, up, up - lots of BIG steps and rock scrambles. This is nature's stairclimber. I could feel my booty working and was sore for days. Parking lot fills up quickly. The woman in the ranger station was very helpful, but if you aren't a fan of taxidermy, do not go in here. Lots of beautiful, majestic animals, all dead and stuffed. I was not at all prepared for that! When we finally got to the royal arch, we sat on the edge and enjoyed the view and the friendly chipmunks. Then we found some trees and put up our hammock before beginning the trek down...which happily is much quicker and easier. Loved this hike, but it's a toughy. read more

See all

Pretty strenuous last mile- lots of uphill and rocky, probably made a little more difficult for me by the altitude I wasn't adjusted to. The beautiful view made it worth it. The pictures of the arch don't do it justice. It's probably doable for most- we saw kids as young as 4 coming down, and plenty of pups but most of them were struggling a bit. My 10 year old definitely would not have made it. It was a beautiful hike and worth that last brutal part- and coming back was a breeze. I definitely recommend it if you are in the area! Make sure to bring plenty of water and good hiking shoes. read more

See all

The trail is beautiful, a little vigorous due to the elevation climb. For those who are not in tip-top shape, you can likely still get up to the Summit (where the beautiful arch is) but you will have to take a lot of breaks. Nicely shaded most of the time, slightly technical terrain. A great hike! read more

This is on April 2nd, 2016. It's a nice burly hike! Be careful: there is a lot of snowy slush on the trail and it makes going up difficult, and going down is a constant slide. It's pretty dangerous right now, so plan accordingly! The views are definitely worth the tricky hike, though. read more

See all

BAaahhhhHH... two words: elevation. elevation. This hike was rated as moderate/strenuous on TripAdvisor and I have to agree with that rating. It started off smooth as you enter Chautauqua Park but once you are about .5-.75 miles in, the elevation incline begins. It's basically steep stairs for about 1.5 miles on the way up to the arch. There are some parts where you're on all fours trying to hop/climb to make your way up. I do not think this hike is ideal for children but I also don't think this hike is terribly strenuous for the average athletic person. It's just no walk in the park. I would definitely to this hike again. Making it to the arch gives a very accomplishing feeling and the view of Boulder is very beautiful from that height. I would take some ski poles/hiking sticks to help you keep your balance while going up/down the mountain. I would estimate 2-2.5 hours for the average person to complete this hike. Parking - Parking is free...! But try to get there by 7/8am before the rushes come through. I arrived at 8am and had no trouble finding parking. When I was done, around 10:00am, it seemed like many people had trouble parking. Overall, this is a great workout and short/sweet hike. Take some water and a few snacks and enjoy! :) read more

Royal Arch is a great hike for beginner to seasoned hikers. The complete hike took us about 1.5 hours. Plenty of parking and a restroom at the bottom of the trail. You can see both downtown Denver and the U of Colorado from the Royal Arch. For a hike close to Denver, this one is a great choice! read more

Royal Arch - Climbing up to the Royal Arch - Hiking Near Me

See all

After at least a dozen times up and down this phenomenal hiking trail, we decided to see how fast we could get to the top. Granted, I'm from Florida, and I certainly didn't make it all the way up in one charge - but it added greatly to how beautiful and rewarding this trail can be. If you're looking for a challenge, mirrored beautiful by the views, check this route out. I wouldn't recommend going up after a snow, however, unless you have spikes. This trail is filled with stairs and steep inclines, which can prove to be worrisome when there's ice. Of course, it's also a great hike for your pup! It wears mine out (almost). read more

Awesome hike! Great views of Boulder from the arch. The stone steps were killer but it's a good feeling to finally reach the arch. You definitely get a work out doing this hike. Make sure you bring lots of water. The arch itself was beautiful read more

See all

Well what can I say- this is an awesome hike! It is pretty challenging to say the least (especially coming from sea-level). But, the gorgeous views are totally worth it. We did the entire Flatiron loop including Royal Arch in about 2.5-3 hrs, including a few breaks and about 20 mins up at the arch enjoying the views and chatting with other hikers. Can't recommend it enough for people looking for a serious hike! read more

The Royal Arch Trail is my favorite trail in Boulder, Colorado! I spent the week hiking all kinds of trails but the Royal Arch was the most rewarding. Beautiful views!! Tough hike, so great fitness experience too! read more

Started my Colorado hiking résumé with a bang. Disclaimer I hadn't been hiking in forever and was just getting back into the swing of working out, and also I was so not adjusted to the altitude (born and raised at sea level). Was a trek and I was sweating through my face at a few points but wow the view was amazzzzing! The arch itself was very majestic and impressive. And the view was spectacular. A bit crowded at the top but there was plenty of viewing spots from flat farther back views to ledges of rocks I stayed clear of. Wish there was a higher frequency of signs at forks, but when all else failed I had amazing cell service so i could make quick peaks at the map to make sure we were going in the right direction. read more

We're just visitors here, but took our pups (backpack water!). A gorgeous hike at sunrise, so glad we went here!! It says difficult but I guess it's as long as you want to walk. It's only hard because if you're not used to the altitude not enough oxygen in brain, read more

What a glorious little hike! This is a beautiful trail with gorgeous views. I am so happy I did it.