Chautauqua Trail is a 1.2 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Boulder, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking and trail running and is best used from March until November. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
dogs on leash
kid friendly
hiking
trail running
views
wild flowers
Directions from Highway 36: Take the Baseline Road exit and travel west toward the mountains. Follow Baseline Road nearly 1.5 miles to the entrance for Chautaugua Park. Turn left into the park. Parking is free at this trailhead.
really fucking busy
Just walking up the parking lot, I was wondering how this could be an easy trail. It is ALL incline (except when you turn around to head down obviously) This was my first time hiking/walking on a trail in Colorado. I am a little overweight but I was able to make it, the first stretch was the hardest for me. Everyone (this is a busy trail) has to take breaks to recover their breath so don’t be afraid to stop. I would rate this trail as MODERATE more than easy. I’d also say the trails that branch off from the paved Chautauqua trail were more pleasant and had gorgeous views.
I’m not a big fan of hiking in sunny meadows, but come back down on Bluebell Mesa for shade. Chautaqua is paved and a somewhat gradual climb that anyone can attempt. It’s very crowded. About halfway up on the right is a little cave-like group of trees where you can rest in the shade or have a snack. Someone on the trail did comment that bears go there in the fall and spring.
View was pretty. Heavy foot traffic on trail on a week day afternoon. Rated easy. However the trail is on an incline most of the hike. My husband is rehabbing a leg injury so we were looking for a hike with less of an incline. We still enjoyed it. Parking is free through the week.
Got beautiful view!
Just FYI, on May 26th 2018, there may be about 20+ young people on this trail at around 3-7pm. Ages 10+. So it will be super busy. They were trained regarding hiking in nature and wants to start their first trail on Chautauqua Trail. Thank you. I’ve been on this trail before and the trail is great. And yes, it does get busy at times. And yes, there will be chaperones with them.
Enjoyed a morning out.... busy place but good for avoiding too much solitude
Easy trail. Such a beautiful park. Sunny and cool today.
Easy beginner hike
Nice trails for a half day or full day. Full of hikers everywhere, not very scenic but beautiful, nice to do with friends and family.
Very fun (very busy) little hike - we linked it to the Ski Jump trail which was fun and avoided some of the crowds.
Great view of the Flatirons.
Snowy and a little icey! Great tiny hike.
Mikhala K.
Lots of great trails that branch off of this one
Beautiful park, great hike, busy though, parking can be a challenge on nice weekends. Uphill to start. Network of trails you can veer off onto, take a map if you’re new to the park.
Was nice during sunset for an after stroll. It was very busy.
Rebbecca N.
Very pretty with the leaves changing colors. A bit muddy when I went, and a steady uphill for essentially the whole trail, though I may have veered off the main trail.
It's rated as easy, but it can be strenuous in parts. Heavily trafficked, but gorgeous views.
Nice trail, pretty easy if you're just looking to do a leisurely stroll with your kids or dog. I ended up branching off to another trail just to get a little climbing in. Was busy but not overly crowded (went during a weekday). Parking is limited right at the trail but if you don't mind walking a couple blocks just find a side street to park in the shade. Water station/restroom at the entrance is a bonus to refill when you return
Good hike
Brand new trailhead and trail up to the fork for flatirons/royal arch or bluebell mesa that is wider and flattened out. Heavy traffic people and dogs on the weekends but beautiful under the flatirons as always and great views of Boulder and foothills around.
This is a short yet relatively steep hike that takes you to a couple of other different trails. Good for a quick workout, looking forward to taking the trail further next time.
Very nice. My Aussie was hot and we had to stop in the shade twice but we had plenty of water to douse him with. Water...that's what I missed. Would have loved a trickling stream or pond even but it's a dry hike. Beautiful nonetheless
nice little hike if you're cramped on time. leads to the flatiron loop. good views of the chautauqua mtns. busy
A good little hike with the fam. Kids enjoyed it. Got a little workout in. Decent views going up then once you get to the loop.
A nice/easy way to get acclimated on your first hiking day.
A nice/easy way to get acclimated on your first hiking day.
Beautiful views the entire way up! A few confusing areas on which way the trail went but there were many helpful people. Definitely plan to go early, the parking got insane after 8am
Beautiful Trail.. Can't wait to go back..