The 7 Best Dog-Friendly Hikes in Orange County
IN THIS ARTICLE:
Tips for hiking with dogs
What training should my dog have?
Clickstart’s top 7 dog-friendly hikes in Orange County
What if my dog doesn’t like hiking?
a large brown dog looks to the side on a hike at golden hour
Are you interested in finding the best dog-friendly hikes in Orange County? Here in Southern California, we’re lucky to have access to all different types of hikes and terrain, from the beach to the foothills. We polled our trainers and compiled a list of our 7 favorite dog-friendly hikes in Orange County!
Tips for hiking with dogs
Always bring a water bowl and lots of water
Keep them leashed - a long line is good for these situations
Follow Leave No Trace principles
Be aware of rattlesnakes and follow rattlesnake safety protocols!
What training should my dog have
before hiking?
Ideally, your dog should know a few simple cues before going on a hike! Building a solid recall and teaching them to disengage from distractions can help keep both you and your dog safe while out in nature.
Want to get started with dog training? Schedule a free discovery call with us!
view across a field next to a cliff of a person in a coat and their dog sniffing the ground next to them
Without further ado, here are our favorite Orange County hikes to do with your best friend.
Clickstart’s top 7 dog-friendly hikes
in Orange County
1. Salt Creek Trail (Laguna Niguel)
Trail length: 5.7 miles
Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
Salt Creek Trail connects Crown Valley Community Park and Laguna Niguel Regional Park. It is a paved trail with hills. It’s a popular Orange County hiking spot, so expect to see bikers and other hikers.
2. Quail Hill Trail (Irvine)
Trail length: 1.8 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Quail Hill Trail is a short, easy hike that circles the grassy Quail Hill and offers views of the entire city of Irvine. Another popular hiking path in Orange County, expect to see plenty of dogs and humans, including children, on this trail.
3. Irvine Regional Park (Orange) (multiple trails)
Trail length: (Depends on trail)
Difficulty: (Depends on trail)
Not one hike but many, Irvine Regional Park has something for everyone. This is a huge park that offers multiple trails of varying difficulty, as well as many large fields that serve as great options for a decompression walk with your dog. This is a popular park, especially on weekends, with many families and some other dogs.
4. Aliso Summit Trail (Laguna Niguel)
Trail length: 2.8 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Enter this Laguna Niguel trail at the west end of Seaview Park. The trail surface is primarily decomposed granite, and you can see views of the Pacific Ocean as well as Woods Canyon. This is a moderately popular trail, so be prepared to see other humans and dogs.
person wearing leggings sitting next to a waterfall with her medium sized heeler dog next to them
5. Peters Canyon (Orange) (multiple trails)
Trail length: (Depends on trail)
Difficulty: (Depends on trail)
Peters Canyon is another Orange County regional park with a wide variety of hiking trail options, all dirt trails. Take your pick from trails of varying difficulty, depending on your and your dog’s preferences. This is a very popular Orange County park where you should be prepared to see other people and dogs.
6. Back Bay Loop Trail (Newport Beach)
Trail length: 10.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
If you’re looking for some relaxing hiking in Newport Beach, this is a great place to start. This paved trail offers views of the Back Bay and the beautiful houses that line it. The entire trail is 10.5 miles, but you can easily choose to do just a section of it with your dog. Expect to see hikers, bikers, and other dogs.
7. Top of the World (Laguna Beach)
Trail length: 7.1 miles (loop)
Difficulty: Difficult
The most difficult hike on our list! Top of the World is a steep trail for hikers who want a hard workout, and healthy adult dogs who love to hike. This trail ascends through Aliso and Wood Canyon Wilderness Park to reach some of the most panoramic views in Orange County. You can see from Catalina Island all the way to Mount Baldy.
golden retriever on a blue leash in a field looking back at the camera, looking happy
What if my dog doesn’t like hiking?
Not all dogs like to hike or are physically cut out for it, and that’s totally ok! For dogs that prefer off-leash play in a safe, contained area, we highly recommend Sniffspot. Sniffspot lets you rent a private yard for your dog (and some of their friends, if they like) and is a great way for you and your dog to get some exercise and fresh air together.
Are there any great hiking spots in Orange County that we’ve missed? Let us know!
Happy hiking!
REFERENCES:
https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/
https://www.cityoflagunaniguel.org/124/Salt-Creek-Trail
https://letsgooutside.org/explore/quail-hill/
https://www.ocparks.com/irvinepark
https://www.cityoflagunaniguel.org/119/Aliso-Summit-Trail
https://ocparks.com/parks-trails/peters-canyon-regional-park
https://www.newportbeachca.gov/how-do-i-/view/things-to-do/back-bay-loop-trail
https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7034119/top-of-the-world-loop