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Northern Diversion Trail

Albuquerque, NM · Bernalillo County · 5.3 mi

A flat 5.3-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

Northern Diversion Trail is a 5.3-mile dog-friendly trail in Albuquerque, NM. Includes leash-required policy details · low shade. Elevation gain is about 725 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
63%
Fair fit
May need extra breaks
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
57%
Fair fit
Flat & joint-friendly
Long for senior dogs
Reactive Dog
Reactive to dogs & strangers
85%
Great fit
All dogs leashed — controlled
Sensitive Dog
Anxious or paw-sensitive dogs
65%
Good fit
Getting-Fit Dog
Building up stamina
65%
Good fit
Moderate — build up to this
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

Exposed, waterside 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

  • 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 / HEATExposed
CROWD—

Terrain & Comfort

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

EffortFlat
SurfaceMixed
ShadeLow
WaterGood

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:725 ftGain/mi:137 ft/miSteep sections:Low
Rated from 725 ft gain + 137 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
5,148 ft5,036 ft0 mi5.3 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: Asphalt

Surface data is limited, so expect changing conditions.

Hard surface riskRoughness unknown
Surface along the trail
UnknownConcreteAsphaltConcreteAsphaltUnknownWoodAsphaltWoodUnknownWoodAsphaltWoodAsphaltWoodConcreteUnknownAsphaltUnknown0 mi5.3 mi12345UnknownHardGravel/Compacted

Top surfaces

Not mapped
39%
Asphalt
31%
Concrete
28%

Quick read

Roughness: Unknown

This trail is mostly Not mapped. A notable share is asphalt (31%). You will also encounter concrete (28%).

Best forstrollersroad bikesquick walks

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

20.4%
Shade along the trail
0 mi5.3 mi12345SunPartialShadeDense

Exposure mix

Sun
77%
Partial
4%
Shade
18%
Dense
0%

Quick read

Limited natural shade. Expect prolonged sun exposure.

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 along the trail
Lake / PondStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamLake / PondStreamDry — no water within 200 mLake / PondDry — no water within 200 mLake / PondDry — no water within 200 mLake / PondDry — no water within 200 mLake / PondDry — no water within 200 mLake / PondDry — no water within 200 mLake / PondDry — no water within 200 mLake / Pond0 mi5.3 mi12345Lake / PondStream

Water types nearby

StreamLake/PondRiver

Stream • Lake/Pond • 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

2 highlights on or near the trail

🏚️ RuinsRuins · 2.7 mi0 mi5.3 mi12345

Highlights

2 total
Closest: Yes Ruins · 95 m

Yes Ruins

Ruins · Ruins (yes)

Nearby
95 mfrom trail
Open OSM

Yes Ruins

Ruins · Ruins (yes)

Nearby
95 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 Northern Diversion Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on the Northern Diversion Trail.

Do dogs need to be on a leash on Northern Diversion Trail?

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

Is there drinking water available for dogs along Northern Diversion Trail?

There is a 1% chance of water being nearby, with types including stream, lake or pond, and river.

Is Northern Diversion Trail mostly shaded or sun-exposed?

The Northern Diversion Trail has low shade coverage, with approximately 20.43% shade.

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

The primary trail surface is asphalt, but a significant portion (39.23%) is of unknown surface type. The distribution includes asphalt (31.35%), concrete (28.03%), and wood (1.39%).

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

Unknown based on available data.