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Piedras Marcadas Trail

Albuquerque, NM · Bernalillo County · 1.7 mi

A rolling 1.7-mile trail. Mostly sun-exposed.

Dogs allowedAllowed
Leash ruleRequired
Trail effortRolling
ShadeExposed
Certified dog policySource: Parks and Recreation | City of AlbuquerqueGood year-round.
Best entry:Trailhead #2

Piedras Marcadas Trail is a 1.7-mile dog-friendly trail in Albuquerque, NM. Includes leash-required policy details · low shade. Elevation gain is about 262 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.

Piedras Marcadas Trail is a 1.7-mile trail on mostly unpaved tread, moderately hilly. Water is scarce here — bring plenty for your dog. It runs mostly in the open, so time it for cooler hours and pack water. Dogs must stay leashed on this trail.

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
70%
Good fit
Short & easy to complete
Mostly exposed
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
85%
Great fit
Gentle slope
Short, relaxed walk
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
80%
Great fit
Ideal starter length (1–2.5 mi)
Gentle grade — good challenge
Water Lover
Dogs who love to swim & splash
12%
Not ideal
No water access found
Mostly dry route
Leash required — limits water play

Trail Suitability

Who this trail works best for — and what to watch

Exposed trail — some factors to plan around

Best for

Senior dogsSmall 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

  • 1.7 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

EffortRolling
SurfaceMixed
ShadeLow
WaterNone

Elevation & Width

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

Trail Effort

Moderate

Gentle hills. Most healthy adult dogs will enjoy this.

EasyModerate
Challenging
Strenuous
Gain:262 ftGain/mi:159 ft/miSteep sections:Medium
Rated from 262 ft gain + 159 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
5,295 ft5,177 ft0 mi1.7 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: Unpaved

Good grip and generally paw-friendly on most stretches.

Paw-friendlyRoughness unknown

Top surfaces

Unpaved
100%

Quick read

Roughness: Unknown

This trail is mostly Unpaved. 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

LOW

Low shade coverage

0.0%
Shade along the trail
0 mi1.7 mi1SunPartialShadeDense

Exposure mix

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

Quick read

Limited natural shade. Expect prolonged sun exposure.

Water Access

Water proximity is tracked along the route (0%) to help you plan hydration and cooldown stops.

Water

Hydration & splash potential

Near water: 0%
Swim: Unlikely
Water nearby0%

Water types nearby

River

River

Quick read

Water is limited near the trail—bring enough for you and your dog. Swimming spots are unlikely.

Access & Entry

Trailheads, parking, and entry logistics for hiking with dogs

Parking LotsUnknown
Capacity—
FeeUnknown

This section covers 3 trailheads listed, parking availability, and amenity placement so you can plan start points and access logistics before arriving.

Primary trailhead

Piedras Marcadas Canyon

Jill Patricia St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114

Primary🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Distance not measured★ 4.7 (355)

Other access points

Petroglyph National Monument, Piedras Marcadas Canyon Trailhead

Piedras Marcadas Canyon Trail, 9421 Jill Patricia St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114

🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Distance not measured★ 4.7 (468)
Trailhead #2
🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Distance not measured
Parking details

Map & Route

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

Map

Explore More

Highlights, viewpoints, and bailout options

Highlights

17 highlights on or near the trail

⭐ Attraction0 mi1.7 mi1

Highlights

17 total
Closest: Petroglyphs · 0 m

Petroglyphs

Attraction · Archaeological Site

On-trail
0 mfrom trail
Open OSM

Petroglyphs

Attraction · Archaeological Site

On-trail
1 mfrom trail
Open OSM

Petroglyphs

Attraction · Archaeological Site

On-trail
1 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 Piedras Marcadas Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on the Piedras Marcadas Trail.

Do dogs need to be on a leash on Piedras Marcadas Trail?

Yes, dogs are required to be on a leash on the Piedras Marcadas Trail. This is in accordance with Albuquerque City Code §9-2-1-4, which mandates leashes in all city parks and open spaces.

Is there drinking water available for dogs along Piedras Marcadas Trail?

Unknown based on available data.

Is Piedras Marcadas Trail mostly shaded or sun-exposed?

The Piedras Marcadas Trail has low shade coverage.

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

The Piedras Marcadas Trail is primarily an unpaved surface.

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

The trail has low shade, which could be a concern for heat. There is a river nearby, but no indication of swim access or water crossings on the trail itself.