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Ed Hillsman Trail

Albuquerque, NM · Bernalillo County · 1.8 mi

A flat 1.8-mile trail. Good shade throughout; water access along most of the route.

Dogs allowedAllowed
Leash ruleRequired
Trail effortFlat
ShadeHigh shade
Certified dog policySource: Parks and Recreation | City of AlbuquerqueGood year-round.
Best entry:See trailheads below

Ed Hillsman Trail is a 1.8-mile dog-friendly trail in Albuquerque, NM. Includes leash-required policy details · high shade. Elevation gain is about 69 ft. Looking for more options in Albuquerque dog-friendly trails or across dog-friendly trails across New Mexico? Use the sections below for dog policy, access points, shade/heat, water, terrain, and safety.

Dog Fit

Dogs allowed status, leash expectations, and suitability by dog type

Dogs must be on a leash in all City of Albuquerque parks and open spaces. Albuquerque City Code §9-2-1-4.
Suitability by dog type

By Dog Type

How this trail suits different kinds of dogs

Small Dog
Toy & small breeds
95%
Great fit
Short & easy to complete
Well-shaded route
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
100%
Great fit
Flat & joint-friendly
Short, relaxed walk
Good shade available
Reactive Dog
Reactive to dogs & strangers
85%
Great fit
All dogs leashed — controlled
Sensitive Dog
Anxious or paw-sensitive dogs
77%
Good fit
Well-shaded — stays cooler
Getting-Fit Dog
Building up stamina
95%
Great fit
Ideal starter length (1–2.5 mi)
Flat — great for conditioning
Water Lover
Dogs who love to swim & splash
42%
Caution
Water nearby — no swim confirmed
Water along most of the route
Leash required — limits water play

Trail Suitability

Who this trail works best for — and what to watch

Well-shaded, waterside trail — comfortable for most dogs

Best for

Senior dogsSmall dogsEasy walksHeat-sensitive dogsWater-loving dogs

Why this trail works

  • ~100% shade coverage along the route
  • River or lake alongside much of the route
  • Essentially flat — average slope under 3%

Safety & Conditions

Hazards, heat exposure, crowd level, and nearby emergency vet context

HAZARDS—
SHADE / HEATHigh shade
CROWD—

Terrain & Comfort

Elevation, surface, shade, heat, and water signals for dog hiking comfort

EffortFlat
SurfaceMixed
ShadeHigh
WaterGood

Elevation & Width

Distance and climbing are shown together so you can judge overall effort for your dog on a 1.

Trail Effort

Easy

Flat or gently rolling. Comfortable for almost all dogs.

EasyModerate
Challenging
Strenuous
Gain:69 ftGain/mi:39 ft/miSteep sections:Low
Rated from 69 ft gain + 39 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
5,023 ft5,003 ft0 mi1.8 mi1
Trail Width
Narrow
Narrow
< 6 ft
In-between
6-10 ft
Wide
10+ ft
NARROWTypical: ~0 ftWIDE

Mostly single-file with tighter passing space.

Surface & Paws

Surface coverage helps you plan for paw comfort and choose routes that match your dog's tolerance for rough or hot terrain.

Surface

What your dog will walk on

Mostly: Not mapped

Surface data is limited, so expect changing conditions.

Roughness unknown

Top surfaces

Not mapped
100%

Quick read

Roughness: Unknown

This trail is mostly Not mapped. Surface data is incomplete for some sections—expect variety.

Best fordogsrunnerscasual hikes

Shade & Heat

Shade coverage and heat exposure are summarized to show when this trail is safer for warm-weather dog hikes.

🌳 Shade

HIGH

High shade coverage

100.0%
Shade along the trail
0 mi1.8 mi1SunPartialShadeDense

Exposure mix

Sun
0%
Partial
0%
Shade
0%
Dense
100%

Quick read

Most of the trail benefits from consistent tree cover.

Water Access

Water proximity is tracked along the route (100%) to help you plan hydration and cooldown stops.

Water

Hydration & splash potential

Near water: 100%
Swim: Unlikely
Water nearby100%

Water types nearby

CanalStreamRiverLake/Pond

Canal • Stream • River

Quick read

Water is frequently near the route—great for cooling breaks. Bring a bowl anyway. Swimming spots are unlikely.

Access & Entry

Trailheads, parking, and entry logistics for hiking with dogs

Parking LotsUnknown
Capacity—
FeeUnknown

This section covers trailhead details where available, parking availability, and amenity placement so you can plan start points and access logistics before arriving.

No trailheads mapped yet.

Parking details

Map & Route

Trail layout, trailheads, parking, and dog-relevant points of interest

Map

Explore More

Highlights, viewpoints, and bailout options

Highlights

Highlights

0 total
Closest: — · —

No highlights are available for this trail yet.

Bailout & exit options

Rules & Safety

Dog policy context, emergency resources, and trail hazard overview

Hazard levels are summarized from available route data. Nearby emergency veterinary coverage appears when mapped in source data.

Dog Emergency

Emergency help nearby

No nearby vets found

No nearby veterinary clinics were found within search radius.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about dogs on this trail

Are dogs allowed on Ed Hillsman Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on the Ed Hillsman Trail.

Do dogs need to be on a leash on Ed Hillsman Trail?

Yes, dogs are required to be on a leash at all times on the Ed Hillsman Trail, as per Albuquerque City Code §9-2-1-4.

Is there drinking water available for dogs along Ed Hillsman Trail?

There is a high likelihood of water being available near the trail, with nearby water types including canal, stream, river, and lake or pond.

Is Ed Hillsman Trail mostly shaded or sun-exposed?

The Ed Hillsman Trail is considered to have high shade coverage.

What is the trail surface like for dog paws on Ed Hillsman Trail?

The trail surface is unknown based on available data.

Are there any safety concerns for dogs on Ed Hillsman Trail (heat, terrain, water crossings)?

The trail has high shade, which can help mitigate heat concerns. Water crossings are not explicitly mentioned as a concern, and the trail surface is unknown. Swimming is unlikely.