Trail 401 is a 3.4-mile dog-friendly trail in Albuquerque, NM. Includes leash-required policy details · medium shade. Elevation gain is about 509 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
ℹ
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
✓Manageable length
✓Well-shaded route
🐕
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
80%
Great fit
✓Gentle slope
✓Comfortable distance
✓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
75%
Good fit
✓Good training length
✓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
ℹ
Well-shaded, with swim access trail — good fit with minor considerations
Best for
Senior dogsHeat-sensitive dogsWater-loving dogs
Why this trail works
~94% shade coverage along the route
Swim access confirmed — water features along the route
509 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
EffortFlat
SurfaceMixed
ShadeModerate
WaterModerate
Elevation & Width
Distance and climbing are shown together so you can judge overall effort for your dog on a 3.
Trail Effort
Easy
Flat or gently rolling. Comfortable for almost all dogs.
EasyModerate
Challenging
Strenuous
Gain:509 ftGain/mi:148 ft/miSteep sections:Medium
Rated from 509 ft gain + 148 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
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
Top surfaces
Ground
54%
Dirt
46%
Quick read
Roughness: Unknown
This trail is mostly Ground. A notable share is dirt (46%). 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
93.9%
Shade along the trail
Exposure mix
Sun
5%
Partial
2%
Shade
93%
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 (65%) to help you plan hydration and cooldown stops.
Water
Hydration & splash potential
Near water: 65%
Swim: Likely
Water nearby65%
Water along the trail
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
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 Trail 401?
Yes, dogs are allowed on Trail 401.
Do dogs need to be on a leash on Trail 401?
Yes, dogs are required to be on a leash on Trail 401. This is in accordance with Albuquerque City Code §9-2-1-4, which requires leashes at all times in city parks and open spaces.
Is there drinking water available for dogs along Trail 401?
There is a 65.33% chance of water being available near the trail, with nearby water types including river, lake or pond, and stream.
Is Trail 401 mostly shaded or sun-exposed?
Trail 401 has medium shade coverage, with a shade proxy percentage of 93.9%.
What is the trail surface like for dog paws on Trail 401?
The trail surface is primarily ground, with 53.64% being ground and 46.36% being dirt.
Are there any safety concerns for dogs on Trail 401 (heat, terrain, water crossings)?
There are multiple ford access points along the trail, suggesting potential water crossings. The trail surface is primarily ground and dirt, and the shade coverage is medium.
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