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10 Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails in Orange County You Can Visit in 2024

Codee Chessher

By Codee Chessher

woman is hiking with a dog in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado

Orange County, California is such a bustling area that it’s easy to forget you have tons of nature around you. Amazingly, we’ve found numerous tucked-away hiking trails that gladly welcome dogs in the Orange County area. They’re mostly easy trails to follow along on with Fido in tow, but some have very steep climbs to look out for. Check out their locations and a bit more about their natural features and scenery down below.

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The 10 Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails in Orange County

1. Quail Hill Loop

🗺️ Address: 📍Irvine, California
🕐 Open Times: 7am to 6pm
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-leash allowed: No
  • Trail length: 2 miles
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Easy stroll through a gently sloping green area with striking city views
  • Bring lots of sunscreen and water—this trail has no shade at all
  • Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes in the area

2. Black Star Canyon Falls

🗺️ Address: 📍Silverado, California
🕐 Open Times: Dawn to dusk
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-leash allowed: No
  • Trail length: 7 miles
  • Difficulty: Intermediate
  • A moderate to challenging hike through forests, waterfalls, ravines, and meadows
  • There’s a doggy pool at the end for your pup to play in!
  • Bring water-resistant footwear with good traction for the wet and rocky portions

3. Top of the World Trail

🗺️ Address: 📍Laguna Beach, California
🕐 Open Times: 7am to dusk
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-leash allowed: No
  • Trail length: 2.2 miles
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Short but surprisingly steep
  • Trash cans located throughout the trail to keep the area clean

4. San Clemente Beach Trail

🗺️ Address: 📍San Clemente, California
🕐 Open Times: 4am to midnight
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-leash allowed: No
  • Trail length: 8.4 miles
  • Difficulty: Intermediate
  • Leashes must be 6 feet long or shorter
  • Moderately long but easy stroll alongside a stunning beach shoreline

5. Aliso Summit Trail

🗺️ Address: 📍Laguna Niguel, California
🕐 Open Times: 6am to 9pm
💲 Cost: $3 parking fee
🐕 Off-leash allowed: No
  • Trail length: 8.8 miles
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Long but relaxed stroll through boardwalks, hills, forests, and picnic areas
  • Don’t miss the spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean at the end

6. Peters Canyon Loop Trail

🗺️ Address: 📍Irvine, California
🕐 Open Times: 24/7 year-round
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-leash allowed: No
  • Trail length: 5.9 miles
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Expect company because joggers, hikers, and cyclists alike heavily traffic this trail
  • Great lake view
  • No shade—bring your sunny day essentials like water and sunscreen

7. Las Ramblas Trail

🗺️ Address: 📍San Clemente, California
🕐 Open Times: 24/7 year-round
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-leash allowed: No
  • Trail length: 2.3 miles
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Well-maintained paved trip along the San Diego Creek
  • Views of the Pacific Ocean and the city of San Clemente
  • Wear footwear with good traction for the steep sections

8. Ridgeline Trail

🗺️ Address: 📍San Clemente, California
🕐 Open Times: 5am to 11pm
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-leash allowed: No
  • Trail length: 4.7 miles
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Mostly flat paved trail with just a single steep section
  • Great view of the city and Pacific Ocean
  • Access to other nearby trails in the Rancho San Clemente Open Space Preserve

9. Colinas Bluff Trail

🗺️ Address: 📍Laguna Niguel, California
🕐 Open Times: 24/7 year-round
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-leash allowed: Only in designated areas
  • Trail length: 4.2 miles
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Lovely walk along hills, scrubland, and picturesque oak forests
  • Make sure to watch for cyclists, mountain bikers, and riders on horseback

10. Salt Creek Trail

🗺️ Address: 📍Laguna Niguel, California
🕐 Open Times: 24/7 year-round
💲 Cost: $5 parking per car load, $15 overnight camping fee
🐕 Off-leash allowed: No
  • Trail length: 5.7 miles
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Long, winding paved trail along swathes of preserved marshlands, estuaries, beaches, and more
  • Tons of natural wildlife
  • Swimming is strictly prohibited

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Conclusion

When you’re tired of the city, you can always dip out to take a nice stroll through nature with your faithful canine companion at your side. From the easygoing Quail Loop Trail to the more challenging Black Star Canyon Falls, there’s a trail here everyone can enjoy.

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Featured Image Credit: Larry Barrett, Shutterstock

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