Climb through pine forest and flagstone steps to reach a natural stone arch overlooking Boulder.

Looking for a trail that captures Boulder's wild beauty? The Chautauqua Trail & Royal Arch …

Last updated: October 3, 2025

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Waypoints

Start point

Parking

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219 m

Chautauqua Park

Providing backdoor access to the Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks trails, Chautauqua Park offers and area to access and view nature just at the foot of the city of Boulder. There is also a children's park and turf field.

Tip by

438 m

Chautauqua Trailhead

Great parking lot right next to the trailhead. Paid parking starts at 8AM ($2.50 an hour.

Tip by

744 m

View of Flatirons

This spot on the trail offers a great viewpoint of the Flatirons. The Flatiron climbing trails can be easily accessed by Chautauqua Park, but these scrambling routes take more planning to tackle than a standard hike.

Tip by

1.45 km

View from Bluebell Spur Trail

Right before the end of Chautauqua Trail you get a beautiful view through the trees.

Tip by

3.00 km

Royal Arch Trail

The hike towards the Royal Arch in Chautauqua necessarily passes through Sentinel pass, which with its shape and its location, could be renamed "Sentinel Ridge".

Tip by

3.49 km

Royal Arch

This natural stone arch will rewards you with great views of Boulder and the Flatirons.

Tip by

6.70 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

5.84 km

542 m

285 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

3.96 km

1.86 km

446 m

330 m

101 m

Elevation

Highest point (2,090 m)

Lowest point (1,740 m)

Weather

Today

Monday 13 October

16°C

6°C

26 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 5.0 km/h

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This route was planned by komoot.

Chautauqua Trail & Royal Arch Trail loop — Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks

Chautauqua Park

Chautauqua Trailhead

View of Flatirons

View from Bluebell Spur Trail

Royal Arch Trail

Royal Arch

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