Best dog hikes in Santa clara county

The weather is warming up, it’s time for paws to hit the pavement!
Looking for a new spot to explore this spring? Santa Clara County has tons of parks and trails to enjoy. Here are some of the best dog hikes in Santa Clara county.
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Maybe we’ll see you out there!

Martial Cottle Park
Difficulty: Easy (paved and flat)
Leash Requirements: SCC Park Standard (6ft leash or less, all times)
Parking: Free!
A great choice if you’re just looking to get moving. 3 miles of paved, flat trails will take you through quaint picnic areas, playgrounds, and an educational farming facility. What you might find most surprising is that this park smells great! Aromatic herbs waft through the air as you enjoy a very leisurely stroll or bike ride.

IMG credit: All Trails

Los Gatos Creek Trail
​Difficulty: Easy (mostly paved, easy elevation changes)
Leash Requirements: SCC Park Standard (6ft leash or less, all times)
Parking: Mixed. Free on University Avenue, paid in Vasona Park proper.

We’ll be honest with you: this is our favorite trail! Foot and bike traffic tend to be high during the times you’d expect, but the reasons are obvious! First, it’s simply a beautiful and lush area. But it’s also a tremendous family outing. The trail passes through Vasona park which features a playground, a railroad, and water sport on the reservoir during the summer.

Our pups, of course, are usually more interested in the fellow dogs around… not to mention the many geese and bunnies! Just be aware that certain areas of the trail are unpaved in case anyone has sensitive paws!

Our friend Niko loves the Los Gatos Creek Trail!

Guadalupe Oak Grove Park/Jeffrey Fontana Park
Difficulty: Mixed (dirt, flat trails or hill trails available
​Leash Requirements: SCC Park Standard (6ft leash or less), No leash dog park available
Parking: Free!

Take your pick here! Are you looking for a nice, easy stroll? No problem! Prefer to punish your legs? You’ve got a pair of hills that’ll do exactly that! Prefer to let Spot run himself out with his friends? You’ve got a nice, fenced dog park that’ll give him all he can handle.

We’re here often and we love it!

Zach is a long time friend of ours and he absolutely loves Jeffrey Fontana park. We actually first met him at this very dog park!

Coyote Creek Trail
Difficulty: Mild (Paved, some grades are +8%, long stretches with no shade)
Leash Requirements: SCC Park Standard (6ft leash or less), No leash dog park available
Parking: Mixed. Free at multiple trailheads.

This trail spans 15 miles, so all but the most ambitious will need to come back a time or two before you explore it all. Thankfully, there’s plenty to see; from rustic footbridges, to stunning views of Santa Clara’s rolling hills.

It’s easy to lose track of time on this trail, so mind your distance! We recommend any sort of app that can keep track of your hike progress. Coyote Creek does have a dog park as well, for those inclined!

Jenn & Ryan love walking Coyote Creek Trail. There are so many interesting things to see. If you look closely you'll see a wild pig. But don't worry, they're pretty harmless and are used to people.

Almaden Quicksilver County Park
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging (Dirt, natural terrain, steep grades)
Leash Requirements: SCC Park Standard (6ft leash or less, all times)
Parking: Free!

There’s thirty seven miles’ worth of rolling hills and unpaved terrain. We recommend plenty of water, good shoes, and careful attention paid to the complementary trail maps. We warn you, though, these trails require a particular level of fitness and service is limited should one require assistance. For those who challenge Quicksilver, however, they will be rewarded with stunning views of the valley. 

One of the many trails of Almaden Quicksilver park. These trails are also frequented by horseback riders, so please be courteous while sharing the trails with them. Remember, the horse always has the right of way. IMG credit: Hiking Project

We know we didn't cover all of the amazing dog friendly hiking trails in Santa Clara County. What are some of your favorites? Please drop a comment below, we want to hear from you!

Does your pup want to go on adventures but your schedule just won't allow for you to take them out? Do you feel guilty that you can't get your pup on adventures as they'd like? We're here to help!! We have lots of dog walk slots available and we'd love to include your pup on our adventures. 
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