Royal Arch Trail is a 3.4 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Boulder, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October. Dogs and horses are also able to use this trail.
dog friendly
hiking
snowshoeing
trail running
walking
horseback riding
forest
views
wild flowers
muddy
rocky
Start on Chautauqua trail by the ranger station. After crossing a grassy meadow you enter a pine forest. Start paying attention to signs for Royal Arch as a number of other trails branch off. You know you're going the right way when you get to the flagstone staircase.
A decent hike - bumpy and steep in some parts but overall the trail is fairly moderate. The arch and views from the top are beautiful - it's worth getting up early for. Took me just on 2 hours round trip with a 15 min break at the top. Expect crowds anytime after 9am.
There is a Park to Park initiative to get to Chautauqua--so you don't have to find a place to park. Trail was pretty crowded but so worth it.