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Foothills Trail South

Albuquerque, NM · Bernalillo County · 1.0 mi

A flat 1.0-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

Foothills Trail South is a 1.0-mile dog-friendly trail in Albuquerque, NM. Includes leash-required policy details · high shade. Elevation gain is about 95 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
80%
Great fit
Short & easy to complete
Well-shaded route
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
90%
Great fit
Gentle slope
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
85%
Great fit
Ideal starter length (1–2.5 mi)
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

Well-shaded, with swim access trail — comfortable for most dogs

Best for

Senior dogsSmall dogsHeat-sensitive dogsWater-loving dogs

Why this trail works

  • ~100% shade coverage along the route
  • Swim access confirmed — water features along the route

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
WaterModerate

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:95 ftGain/mi:95 ft/miSteep sections:Medium
Rated from 95 ft gain + 95 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
6,033 ft5,968 ft0 mi1.0 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: 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

HIGH

High shade coverage

100.0%
Shade along the trail
0 mi1.0 mi1SunPartialShadeDense

Exposure mix

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

Quick read

Most of the trail benefits from consistent tree cover.

Water Access

Water proximity is tracked along the route (62%) to help you plan hydration and cooldown stops.

Water

Hydration & splash potential

Near water: 62%
Swim: Likely
Water nearby62%
Water along the trail
StreamDry — no water within 200 mRiver0 mi1.0 mi1RiverStream

Water types nearby

RiverLake/PondStream

River • Lake/Pond • Stream

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 South?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Foothills Trail South.

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

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

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

There is a 62.18% chance of water being nearby, with types including river, lake or pond, and stream. There are also several ford access points to water.

Is Foothills Trail South mostly shaded or sun-exposed?

Foothills Trail South has high shade coverage, with a shade proxy score of 0.6.

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

The trail surface on Foothills Trail South is primarily dirt.

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

There are ford access points to water, indicating potential water crossings. The trail is primarily dirt, and the shade class is high, which may mitigate heat concerns.