All Things Orange County

Dog Friendly Hikes In Orange County

Hiking in Orange County is popular among locals and visitors.  Orange County trails range from easy to difficult and trying to figure out the best one fit for you and your dog can be a challenge.  Here are some dog friendly hikes in Orange County to help you decide which is best for your next adventure.  As in all hikes watch out for local animals, snakes, coyotes, and the occasional mountain lion.  Take a look at these hikes to get you started. Don’t forget to pack some water for your and your fur friend and take care to preserve the OC trails on your hike.  Enjoy!

Aliso Summit Trail

  • Length:  4 Miles Roundtrip
  • Location: Laguna Niguel. Hiking Trails that run along the Southern ridge of Wood Canyon and Aliso regional parks.
  • Condition: Unpaved
  • Highlights Ocean View in the middle of the trail
  • Dogs must be leashed
  • Parking: Free on Residential Streets
  • Level: Moderate

Las Ramblas Trail

  • Length: 6.3 Mile Loop
  • Location: San Juan Capistrano
  • Condition: Unpaved
  • Highlights: Mountain and costal views. Multiple trails. This trail is one of the most popular hiking trails during the Spring Super Bloom.
  • Dogs must be leashed
  • Parking: Free Parking in surrounding areas. Depending on if its open it has a parking lot close by.
  • Level: Moderate/Difficult
  • Notes: Look out for Mountain Bikers and Steep hills. The trail can get really muddy.

Ridgeline Trail

  • Length: 5.7 Miles Out and Back
  • Location: San Clemente
  • Condition: Partially Paved
  • Highlights: Beautiful views
  • Dogs must be leashed
  • Parking: Free on Residential Streets
  • Level: Moderate/Difficult hike

Black Star Canyon

San Clemente Beach Trail

  • Length: 4.5 Miles Out and Back
  • Location: San Clemente
  • Condition: Paved Trail
  • Highlights:  Coastal Trail with Ocean Views
  • Dogs must be leashed
  • Parking: Paid Parking in lot
  • Level: Easy

Colinas Bluff Trail

  • Length: 4.2 Miles Out and Back
  • Location: Laguna Niguel
  • Condition:  Partially Paved
  • Highlights: 360 degree views from Santiago Peek, multiple inclines
  • Dogs must be leashed
  • Parking:  Nearby local shopping center
  • Level: Moderate/Difficult
  • Notes: Popular for biking and horseback riding

Salt Creek Trail

  • Length: 7.6 Miles Out and Back
  • Location: Dana Point, Salt Creek Beach
  • Condition: Paved
  • Highlights: Accessible year-round, beautiful wildflowers in the Spring, Ocean Views
  • Dogs must be leashed
  • Parking: Paid Parking
  • Level: Easy

Bedford Peak

Quail Loop

  • Length: Under 2 miles
  • Location: Irvine
  • Condition: Partially Paved
  • Highlights: Preserve with beautiful scenery, popular destination among locals for photo shoots
  • Dogs must be leashed
  • Parking: Free Parking
  • Level: Easy

Peters Canyon Loop Trail

  • 5.9 Mile Hike
  • Length: 5.9 Miles
  • Location: Villa Park
  • Condition: Unpaved
  • Highlights: Great views, wildflowers, wide paths
  • Dogs must be leashed
  • Parking: $3 Fee
  • Level: Moderate
  • Notes: Steep, Gradual or rolling hike. Seasonal closures.

The Top Of The World Hike

  • Length: 2.4 Miles out and back
  • Location: Laguna Beach
  • Condition: Partially Paved
  • Highlights: Beautiful views of Orange County, Ocean Views, popular destination for photo shoots
  • Dogs must be leashed
  • Parking: Street Parking, Parking at Alta Laguna Park
  • Level: Moderate

Back Bay Loop Trail

  • Length: Under 3 miles
  • Location: Newport Beach
  • Condition: Paved
  • Highlights: Preserve with beautiful scenery and bay view.
  • Dogs must be leashed
  • Parking: Free Street Parking
  • Level: Easy

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