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Foothills Trail North

Albuquerque, NM · Bernalillo County · 5.7 mi

A flat 5.7-mile trail. Mostly sun-exposed; water access along most of the route.

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

Foothills Trail North is a 5.7-mile dog-friendly trail in Albuquerque, NM. Includes leash-required policy details · low shade. Elevation gain is about 449 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
43%
Caution
May need extra breaks
Mostly exposed
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
42%
Caution
Gentle slope
Long for senior dogs
Reactive Dog
Reactive to dogs & strangers
85%
Great fit
All dogs leashed — controlled
Sensitive Dog
Anxious or paw-sensitive dogs
57%
Fair fit
Mostly exposed
Getting-Fit Dog
Building up stamina
55%
Fair fit
Moderate — build up to this
Gentle grade — good challenge
Water Lover
Dogs who love to swim & splash
73%
Good fit
Swim spots confirmed on this trail
Water along most of the route
Leash required — limits water play

Trail Suitability

Who this trail works best for — and what to watch

Exposed, with swim access trail — some factors to plan around

Best for

Water-loving dogsHigh-energy dogs

Most comfortable when

Before 10 AM or after 6 PM

— Heat exposure is significant — trail is considerably cooler in morning and evening

Why this trail works

  • Swim access confirmed — water features along the route
  • 5.7 mi total — plan accordingly

Safety & Conditions

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

HAZARDS—
SHADE / HEATExposed
CROWD—

Terrain & Comfort

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

EffortFlat
SurfaceMixed
ShadeLow
WaterModerate

Elevation & Width

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

Trail Effort

Easy

Flat or gently rolling. Comfortable for almost all dogs.

EasyModerate
Challenging
Strenuous
Gain:449 ftGain/mi:79 ft/miSteep sections:Medium
Rated from 449 ft gain + 79 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
6,654 ft6,198 ft0 mi5.7 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: Dirt

Softer footing that can feel easier on paws and joints.

Soft footingRoughness unknown

Top surfaces

Dirt
100%

Quick read

Roughness: Unknown

This trail is mostly Dirt. Softer footing—can get muddy after rain.

Best forrelaxed walksexpect mud after rain

Shade & Heat

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

🌳 Shade

LOW

Low shade coverage

17.6%
Shade along the trail
0 mi5.7 mi12345SunPartialShadeDense

Exposure mix

Sun
81%
Partial
4%
Shade
15%
Dense
0%

Quick read

Limited natural shade. Expect prolonged sun exposure.

Water Access

Water proximity is tracked along the route (65%) to help you plan hydration and cooldown stops.

Water

Hydration & splash potential

Near water: 65%
Swim: Likely
Water nearby65%
Water along the trail
RiverDry — no water within 200 mRiverDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mRiverStreamDry — no water within 200 mRiverDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mRiver0 mi5.7 mi12345RiverStream

Water types nearby

StreamRiverLake/Pond

Stream • River • 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

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 Foothills Trail North?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Foothills Trail North.

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

Yes, dogs are required to be on a leash on Foothills Trail North. This is in accordance with Albuquerque City Code §9-2-1-4, which requires leashes in all City of Albuquerque parks and open spaces.

Is there drinking water available for dogs along Foothills Trail North?

There is a 65.4% chance of water being available nearby, with types including stream, river, and lake or pond. There are also multiple ford access points to water along the trail.

Is Foothills Trail North mostly shaded or sun-exposed?

Foothills Trail North has low shade, with only about 17.6% of the trail being shaded.

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

The primary trail surface on Foothills Trail North is dirt.

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

The trail has low shade, which could be a concern for heat. There are multiple ford access points for water crossings.