When dogs get bored, they can be prone to destructive behavior. Hiking or walking with your dog is a fun way for you both to stay healthy, active, and fit.
You can de-stress by unplugging, stepping away from the 9to5, and getting much-needed time in nature with your pet. The backyard won’t replace a dog walk or park. Dogs need freedom to explore, and a solid walk helps them to burn up restless energy that can get them into trouble.
There are several hiking trails near Greensboro that are dog-friendly, here are a few of my favorites:
Greensboro Arboretum
The Arboretum is a wonderful place to walk with your dog. This 17-acre garden is beautiful and offers lots for you and your fur-baby to explore. At Greensboro Arboretum you’ll find a nice variety; grass, wood chip, and paved surfaces ensure that there’s a little something for everyone. Like all hiking trails in Greensboro, dogs must remain leashed, but they are welcome to explore the grounds and trails. The Arboretum is pet-friendly, free, and a great place to spend an afternoon.
Country Park Loop
The City of Greensboro’s Country Park is a beautiful place to spend the day with your pooch. It has extensive pet-friendly walking trails, picnic shelters, and a duck pond. The loop itself is a 3.1-mile, easy hike. Like the other trails, a leash is required but if you also want some off-leash time you’ll find that here too.
Country Park is home to BarkPark, Greensboro’s first off-leash dog park. The dog park offers three separate fenced spaces for your dog to explore. The spacious grassy and wooded areas here offer plenty of shade and scenery for both you and your pup to enjoy.
Nathaniel Greene Trail
Located in the Lake Brandt Marina, this 6-mile out and back trail runs along the lake and through beautiful North Carolina woodlands. This trail is well-maintained and shaded by trees. It’s a pleasant hike but does have a lot of tree roots you should watch out for. You and your dog will love stepping out into nature here. I recommend starting at the marina end of the trail if you plan on doing the entire round trip, you’ll have restroom access both before and after the hike.
Guilford Courthouse Monuments Trail
Set in The Guilford Courthouse National Military Park (the first national park to be established as a Revolutionary War site) this 1-mile loop trail features a river and showcases monuments and stories from the war’s great Battle of Guilford Courthouse. I particularly like that this area consists of paved and gravel walking trails that bikes cannot go, making this a great spot for dog walking. It’s a nice spot for all skill levels.
Great Blue Heron Loop Trail
If you’re looking for a good starter trail for your pup this is a great choice, you could very well end up with the trail all to yourself. Located in Haw River Sate Park, the Great Blue Heron Loop Trail is almost 4 miles of nice, flat terrain that runs through a meadow, forest, and a large wetlands area that borders the Haw River. This trail is quick and easy with only a few gentle hills. The GPS can be tricky here. Instead of hopping on Hwy150 stay on Church Street until you see the Haw River State Park sign. You’ll find the trail in the Iron Ore Belt Access point.
Osprey Trail
Part of the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST), the Osprey Trail is a 4.4 mile in and out trail featuring a nice walk along the Lake Townsend lakeshore and through the woods. I like that this trail is almost completely shaded, and it’s a cool trail to walk in hot weather. Accessible year round the trail is well kept, offers nice elevation changes, and even a few boardwalks to help cross those muddy areas.
Greensboro is a great place for pet-parents to live. The public parks and gardens here are beautiful and cater to families and their pets.
If walking the trails with your dog please be courteous to others on the trail, make sure your dogs are leashed, well-behaved around others, and always clean up after your pet.
If you’re looking for places for your doggy to run, off-leash, you can discover Greensboro, North Carolina’s Popular Off-Leash Dog Parks here.
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