One of the stand-out qualities of the Bay Area region is its extensive natural beauty. A great way to enjoy the natural world is to go hiking. Not only does Bay Area hiking offer stunning views of hills, ocean, and forests, it’s also a fantastic way to get some fresh air and work up a sweat. If you’re a dog owner, you have plenty of dog-friendly hiking trails to choose from so your furry friend would love to accompany you.

Neighborhoods.com has rounded up some of the best dog-friendly hiking trails near Los Altos.

Windy Hill Open Space Preserve

Photo courtesy of Windy Hill Open Space Preserve

On this hike, you’ll walk alongside a creek, through oak and pine tree forests, and along cliffs with gorgeous views of the greenery below. Your dog will love the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve as much as you will, thanks to all the interesting smells from the surrounding flora and fauna. Look up along the way, and you might spot woodpeckers and bluejays along the trail. If your dog isn’t a fan of sharing his space, try to visit the trail on a weekday when there will likely be fewer hikers on the trail and it will be easier to find a parking spot. Just make sure your pooch is on a leash. Most of the elevation gain is made just driving up to the trailhead, so the hike is only moderately difficult, which is perfect if your party includes hikers of all experience levels.

Fremont Older Open Space Preserve

This gorgeous hike offers multiple trails that are dog-friendly, and both you and your pup will enjoy stunning views of the beautiful South Bay. Some of the trails at Fremont Older Open Space Preserve have a decent elevation gain, so make sure you and Fluffy are in good shape before embarking from the trailhead. Keep in mind that the parking lot can fill up quickly, so many hikers have to park on the street and walk up the road to the trailhead. The trail is clean and well-maintained, giving hikers the feel that they’re deep in the wilderness while still being a convenient place to exercise.

Baylands Nature Preserve

Photo courtesy of Baylands Preserve

This tract of undisturbed marshland is one of the largest that still exists in the Bay Area, and residents of Mountain View, Palo Alto, and Los Altos are proud that it’s right in their backyard. At 1,940 acres large, the Baylands Preserve offers the perfect spot for residents to immerse themselves in nature. The area offers fifteen miles of trails that run along tidal and fresh-water habitats, and many people come here for bird-watching. In fact, the Baylands Preserve is commonly recognized as one of the major migratory stops along the Pacific Flyway. So bring your binoculars, and keep your pup on a leash so she doesn’t go chasing those migrating birds. 

Pearson Arastradero Preserve

Photo courtesy of Pearson Arastradero Preserve

The Pearson Arastradero Preserve offers well-marked and well-maintained trails that will lead you to vista points and a man-made lake while winding past a wide array of flora. Those worried about poison oak can rest assured that all of these plants have been trimmed back from the trail borders, so hikers are safe as long as they stay on the trails. Most of the trails are exposed, without a whole lot of shade coverage, so be sure to bring a hat, and pack plenty of water for you and your pup. Parking is limited, so hikers should be prepared to park nearby and walk on foot to the trailhead. Be sure your dog is on a leash at all times in order to safely enjoy the preserve.