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Foothills Trail

Albuquerque, NM · Bernalillo County · 5.1 mi

A rolling 5.1-mile trail. Partial shade (72% coverage); some water access.

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

Foothills Trail is a 5.1-mile dog-friendly trail in Albuquerque, NM. Includes leash-required policy details · medium shade. Elevation gain is about 797 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
40%
Tough
May need extra breaks
Well-shaded route
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
24%
Not ideal
Some challenging climbs
Long for senior dogs
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
60%
Fair fit
Moderate — build up to this
Gentle grade — good challenge
Water Lover
Dogs who love to swim & splash
67%
Good fit
Swim spots confirmed on this trail
Water near parts of the trail
Leash required — limits water play

Trail Suitability

Who this trail works best for — and what to watch

Well-shaded, with swim access trail — good fit with minor considerations

Best for

Heat-sensitive dogsWater-loving dogsHigh-energy dogs

Why this trail works

  • ~72% shade coverage along the route
  • Swim access confirmed — water features along the route
  • 797 ft of elevation gain — good cardio workout

Safety & Conditions

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

HAZARDS—
SHADE / HEATSome shade
CROWD—

Terrain & Comfort

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

EffortRolling
SurfaceMixed
ShadeModerate
WaterSome

Elevation & Width

Distance and climbing are shown together so you can judge overall effort for your dog on a 5.

Trail Effort

Moderate

Gentle hills. Most healthy adult dogs will enjoy this.

EasyModerate
Challenging
Strenuous
Gain:797 ftGain/mi:157 ft/miSteep sections:High
Rated from 797 ft gain + 157 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
6,407 ft5,761 ft0 mi5.1 mi12345
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: Ground

Good grip and generally paw-friendly on most stretches.

Paw-friendlyRoughness unknown
Surface along the trail
GroundDirtWoodDirtGroundDirt0 mi5.1 mi12345Gravel/CompactedNatural/Soft

Top surfaces

Ground
57%
Dirt
43%
Wood
0.1%

Quick read

Roughness: Unknown

This trail is mostly Ground. A notable share is dirt (43%). Generally paw-friendly with decent grip.

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

MEDIUM

Moderate shade coverage

72.1%
Shade along the trail
0 mi5.1 mi12345SunPartialShadeDense

Exposure mix

Sun
27%
Partial
2%
Shade
71%
Dense
0%

Quick read

Roughly half the trail has meaningful tree or canopy coverage. Expect mixed sun and shade.

Water Access

Water proximity is tracked along the route (41%) to help you plan hydration and cooldown stops.

Water

Hydration & splash potential

Near water: 41%
Swim: Likely
Water nearby41%
Water along the trail
RiverDry — no water within 200 mRiverDry — no water within 200 mRiverLake / PondStreamDry — no water within 200 m0 mi5.1 mi12345RiverLake / PondStream

Water types nearby

RiverStreamLake/Pond

River • Stream • Lake/Pond

Quick read

You’ll likely pass some water. Carry water for longer stretches. Swimming spots may be available. Check current/flow after rain.

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

2 highlights on or near the trail

⛰️ PeakU Mound · 3.6 miPeak · 4.8 mi0 mi5.1 mi12345

Highlights

2 total
Closest: Peak · 37 m

Peak

Peak · Peak

Close
37 mfrom trail
Open OSM

U Mound

Peak · Peak

Nearby
117 mfrom trail
Open OSM
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 Foothills Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on the Foothills Trail.

Do dogs need to be on a leash on Foothills Trail?

Yes, dogs are required to be on a leash at all times on the Foothills Trail. This is in accordance with Albuquerque City Code §9-2-1-4.

Is there drinking water available for dogs along Foothills Trail?

There is a 40.65% chance of water being nearby, with types including river, stream, and lake or pond. Specific drinking water stations for dogs are not mentioned.

Is Foothills Trail mostly shaded or sun-exposed?

The Foothills Trail has medium shade coverage, with approximately 72.12% of the trail having shade.

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

The primary trail surface is ground, with 43.21% being dirt and 0.06% being wood.

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

The trail has a medium shade class, which may be a factor for heat. There are multiple ford access points to water, suggesting potential water crossings.