Dogs need plenty of exercise and outdoor activities. Therefore, many owners like to take them on walks and involve them in other physical activities that they engage in.
Dogs can engage in many activities that people engage in. If you’re very adventurous, your dog will be a companion in your journeys instead of being a burden.
Discover the best dog-friendly hiking trails you can experience with your furry friend worldwide.
10 Best Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails Around the World
1. Gatlinburg Trail In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, United States
- Distance: 3.8 miles
- Time: 2 hours
- Grade: Challenging
The Great Smoky Mountains, situated in the United States, span over 800 miles. The Gatlinburg Trail is a popular one among hikers.
It may be a challenging hike for your dog. However, it has an excellent dog-friendly bike trail that you can walk your dog on while riding your bike. The trail is a flat path that provides fantastic views of the Little Pigeon River.
2. Chamonix To Le Brévent In Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France
- Distance: 5 miles
- Time: 4 hours
- Grade: Moderate
France has some fantastic hiking trails, and Mont Blanc is one of the region’s best hiking trails for dogs. Hiking this trail provides panoramic views of the stunning landscape in the surrounding area.
Dogs are not allowed in all lifts of Tour du Mont Blanc. However, the starting point from the Gondola Lift, Chamonix, and the cable car ride up to Le Brevent allow dogs.
These two places in Mont Blanc offer excellent walking and hiking trails to accompany your furry friend.
3. Bear Mountain Trail Loop In Bear Mountain, N.Y., United States
- Distance: 4.9 miles
- Time: 4.5 hours
- Grade: Challenging
Bear Mountain State Park, located south of the Catskill Mountains, spreads across 5205 acres. The mountain rises from the banks of the Hudson River and is an excellent spot for hiking with your dog.
It’s a moderate and pet-friendly hiking area that many can experience with hard work and effort. The total ascend is 1154 feet on this 3.8-mile loop.
4. Scafell Pike In Lake District National Park, England
- Distance: 4.8 miles
- Time: 4 hours
- Grade: Easy
Scafell Pike, located in Lake District National Park, England, is for those looking for a challenging hike.
Hiking England’s highest mountain will give you and your dog a good experience. Scafell Pike stands at a height of 975 m and will take about 3 to 4 hours to hike with your dog.
The mountain is surrounded by luscious woods, towering hills, and glistening lakes, giving hikers fantastic views of the region.
5. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, United States
- Distance: 9.6 miles
- Time: 7.5 hours
- Grade: Moderate
Grand Canyon National Park spreads a vast area of 277 miles in length. It’s 18 miles broad and 1 mile deep, attracting 5 million visitors annually.
The Grand Canyon is an excellent hiking trail to experience with your dog. Some may worry if their dog can hike this challenging trail. However, dogs can hike up to 18 miles in a day. They can run up to 6 miles per day.
One thing to remember is that dogs are not allowed to hike below the rim of the Inner Canyon. However, you can walk your dog along the paths above the South Rim of the canyon, in the Desert View Campground, the Mather Campground, and Trailer Village.
6. The Old Man Of Storr In Isle Of Skye, Scotland
- Distance: 3 miles
- Time: 1.5 hours
- Grade: Moderate
The Old Man of Storr in Isle of Skye, Scotland, is one of the region’s most popular and dog-friendly hiking trails. The hike offers stunning views of the surrounding area’s picturesque green hills and rock peaks.
The Isle of Skye hike covers an impressive area of 3 miles, which would take approximately one and a half hours to complete with your dog.
Dogs love these trails due to the expansive greenery that lets your dog stretch out and explore the outdoors. Ensure your dog is adequately prepared, as this is a challenging hike.
7. Dragon’s Back, Hong Kong
- Distance: 5 miles
- Time: 3 hours
- Grade: Easy
Dragon’s Back in Hong Kong is one of the most popular and most visited hiking spots by dog owners in China. It is due to the stunning views that the location provides and its accessibility. Dragon’s Back is a fun and easy hiking trail you can enjoy with your dog.
You can stop for stunning city views from a viewing platform along the hike. Upon reaching the top of the mountain, you’ll have perfect views of Shek O Golf Course, Shek O Beach, and Big Wave Bay Beach, where you can take your dog for a swim.
8. Mission Creek Preserve In Desert Hot Springs, California
- Distance: 3.5 miles
- Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Grade: Easy
Mission Creek Preserve is a hiking spot in Desert Hot Springs, California. It is a trail that allows puppies and is a mere 20 minutes from Palm Springs.
You can trek along the relatively flat 3.5-mile loop up to the stone houses in the area. This area was once home to the Mission Band of Sonoran Indians. It has shady picnic spots that can keep your dog happy for hours.
9. Corona Arches Trail In Moab, Utah
- Distance: 2.5 miles
- Time: 1 hour
- Grade: Easy
Corona Arches Trail, located in Utah, is an excellent alternative to Arches National Park, which is not a dog-friendly hiking spot. Corona Arches Trail is a 2.5-mile dog-friendly hike, which is situated just outside the park and provides stunning views of the surrounding area.
Although it’s a dog-friendly location, it’s still a challenging hike with obstacles, including one short scramble with cables. However, dogs with all kinds of abilities will enjoy this scenic hike.
10. Partnach Gorge In Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bavaria, Germany
- Distance: 2 miles
- Time: 1 hour
- Grade: Moderate
Partnach Gorge is a hiking area near Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the ski town in Bavaria, Germany. Exploring the hiking trail provides excellent views of stunning waterfalls and dark caves.
The trail starts at the Olympian Stadium, where the Olympic Games were held in 1936. The trail takes you through a 25-minute walk before reaching the gorge.
It is a 2-mile long round trip that you can extend towards more mountain trails that await you beyond if you and your dog have enough energy left.
Facts To Keep In Mind To Take Your Dog Hiking Safely
Ensuring your dog is healthy enough to go hiking with you is vital. Choose dog-friendly hiking spots, preferably close to where you live, if you are just starting to go hiking with your dog.
It’s best to start with an easy-to-moderate hike if your dog or you are new to hiking. Always choose a trek that fits your experience level.
All breeds are not the same dogs with squishy faces like Boston terriers, pugs, bulldogs, and brachycephalic. Their short faces make them overheat quicker than other breeds.
On the other hand, large breeds like mastiffs are prone to various health conditions like hip dysplasia, which could also affect their ability to go on hiking adventures. However, they may be okay with romping around flat terrains.
How you have trained your dog also plays a part when taking it on adventures like hiking. Things like agility training and appropriate training tools help you effectively train your dog to overcome any challenge it faces.
One of the tools that is useful in training dogs and keeping them safe is an invisible fence. An invisible fence prevents your dog from escaping the backyard.
Modern invisible fences come with GPS satellite technology that helps customize boundaries in your preferred shape and size.
The dog interacts with the invisible fence via a collar worn around its neck. The collar is generally powered by a battery and delivers a warning beep when the dog reaches a specific distance from the fence.
A mild static shock is delivered when the dog gets too close to the barrier.
An invisible fence helps keep your pet safe, eliminating the need to build expensive conventional fences.
Click here for more details on using invisible fences for dogs.
Conclusion
Hiking with your dog will be an experience that you’ll never forget. It will be an equally fantastic experience for your dog, especially if it’s its first time hiking.
There are many excellent hiking trails in the U.S. and different parts of the world. Ensure that you choose a hiking trail that suits your experience level. Also, your dog should be physically fit to take over the challenges of hiking whichever trail you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Climb A Mountain With A Dog?
Many dogs can hike mountains. Brachycephalic and small dogs do well with short hikes, while larger, more athletic breeds will have no issues with longer trips up the hill.
Which Dog Is Better At Keeping The Trail?
Endurance breeds like Siberian Husky do well on long hikes. Some other dogs up for long walks include Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, Rhodesian Ridgeback, German Shorthaired Pointer, and Brittany.
At What Altitude Do Dogs Get Sick?
Dogs should be monitored for signs of illness when exposed to altitudes above 8,000 feet.
