🐶 The Ultimate Guide to Hiking with Your Dog
Do you dream of breathing fresh air, walking for hours at the pace of your dog's steps, and discovering breathtaking landscapes? Then you've come to the right place 🥾🐾 This ultimate guide to hiking with a dog is for you.
At EmmeneTonChien.com, hiking with your dog is sacred. Musher and I have covered many kilometers together… and we still get so much pleasure from exploring new trails.
Personally, I find that when I hike with Musher, I feel more connected to nature. I watch the position of her tail, her ears… and from her attitude, I can tell if she has detected wild strawberries or if a creature is hiding in the undergrowth.
I find it fascinating: it forces me to really look, to observe nature, to listen, to feel… a true connection; and at the same time, a true disconnection from everything else. These moments do me a world of good. And then, we share a special moment that brings us closer.
But be careful: going on an adventure with your dog is not something you can just improvise! You have to choose your hiking route carefully, equip yourself properly, and think about your dog's safety.
In this ultimate guide, I share with you all my tips for an unforgettable hike with your dog : equipment, safety, regulations, good deals, and above all… a magic app to find the most beautiful dog-friendly hikes in France.
📲 Spoiler: it's free, it's called Decathlon Outdoor, and it'll quickly become your favorite app.
Summary
100% dog-friendly hiking gear approved by Musher ✅
We wouldn't walk 15 kilometers in flip-flops, would we? 😅
Well, it's the same for your dog: if he accompanies you on the trails, he also deserves suitable and comfortable equipment.
The goal is not to buy the entire store before your first hike. But some equipment really changes your life: a good harness, a leash, a collapsible bowl, a first aid kit, things to manage water, minor injuries, ticks, nightfall and getting back from swimming.
The essential selection for a successful hike
The Outdoor 500 walking harness
The simple and comfortable choice for walks, leisurely hikes and everyday outings.
From 27,99 €
The 2-in-1 saddlebag harness
The perfect companion if you're going on a longer hike where your dog is carrying their belongings. With its removable pouches, it easily transforms into a simple hiking harness.
From 54,99 €
The x-back traction harness
If your dog naturally pulls or if you want to try cani-hiking, you need to switch to suitable equipment: a pulling harness, an elastic leash and a harness for you.
From 34,99 €
With Musher, we tested all the new dog sports accessories from Decathlon and here is our feedback, what we liked or what we would have liked different 👉 Musher tested the new Decathlon sports accessories for you.
🆕 Decathlon has released its canicross-canihiking pack for ever more comfort with your dog! I present to you its new traction harness, elastic leash and traction harness in my guide to getting started in canicross and canirando You'll also find, first and foremost, plenty of advice on how to practice these dog-powered sports with your dog 😉
Whether you are a fan of short walks or treks lasting several days, There's gear for every type of pet parent: from casual hiker to seasoned trekker.And bonus: the prices are affordable, the quality is there, and everything is designed for your dog's comfort AND safety. This is the Decathlon trademark: technical products at reasonable prices to make it possible for as many people as possible to practice.
🎒🥾 The equipment checklist to slip into your bag
- un walking harness ou pulling harness ou pack bag according to practice
- a leash or a long line depending on the terrain;
- a collapsible bowl with sufficient water;
- treats or a small bonus ration;
- another first aid kit with tick tweezers;
- dog waste bags;
- a towel or a bathrobe if swimming is planned;
- another light or a reflective vest
- a survival blanket for you and one for your dog;
- a carrying solution if your dog is too heavy to carry in your arms
- un waterproof dog coat if the weather deteriorates and/or a warm vest for winter hikes
- un nomadic rug or a trekking mat for comfortable breaks
Choose a hike that's suitable for your dog
The real challenge when you want to hike with your dog isn't just finding a nice trail. It's finding a route that suits you both: not too long, not too difficult, without areas where dogs aren't allowed, without dangerous sections, with shade, water when possible, and easy rest stops.
Before you fall for a photo of a waterfall or panorama on Instagram, ask yourself the right questions: Is my dog capable of covering this distance? Can he handle the elevation change? Is he comfortable with other dogs, humans, livestock, narrow passages, footbridges, stairs, or stony ground?
📍 Look at the field
An 8km loop through the undergrowth is nothing like 8km in full sun, on rocky terrain, with 600m of elevation gain. Distance, duration, altitude, terrain type and exposure are just as important as the number of kilometers.
???? Adapt to the dog
A young dog, a senior dog, a reactive dog, a brachycephalic dog, or a poorly trained dog will not have the same abilities as a sporting dog used to long walks. Adapt your walk to your furry friend!
🌤️ Anticipate the conditions
Even an easy hike can become complicated with heat, lack of water, a storm, scorching ground, or a return at night. The best route is the one that remains enjoyable for your dog until the very end.
My golden rule with Musher: I prefer a short but successful hike to a long, arduous outing. It's better to enjoy 5 km, with breaks, pleasant smells, and a lively queue, than to endure 18 km of struggle where everyone ends up exhausted.
Can all dogs go hiking?
Yes… but not all in the same way. That's the most important nuance in this guide.
A dog can love walks without being ready for a strenuous hike. And that's perfectly normal. Hiking requires endurance, emotional control, well-prepared paws, a minimum of training, and a good ability to recover after exertion.
🧡 Beginner dogs
Start with short, easy outings with little elevation gain. Gradually increase the duration and difficulty. The goal: to build endurance without burning out your motivation.
🦴 Young or senior dogs
For puppies, their joints are still developing: long hikes, endless descents, and repetitive exertion should be avoided. For senior dogs, activities should be adapted daily, depending on their condition, the temperature, and any pain they may be experiencing.
Some breeds are naturally better suited to long distances: dogs with endurance, long muzzles, good lung capacity, an athletic build, and a love of walking. But there are no hard and fast rules: training, health, weight, age, motivation, and weather all play a role.
A very athletic dog can struggle in intense heat. A calm dog might perfectly well enjoy short, easy hikes. The best indicator is your dog: its pace, recovery, motivation, and behavior during the outing.
Do as you would for yourself: gradual training. Start with longer walks than usual, then add elevation gain, and finally more varied terrain. If your dog has to carry a pack, get them used to it gradually, first empty, then very lightly loaded.
Also keep an eye on his paw pads: a hike on pebbles, hot asphalt, snow or dry ground can irritate them very quickly if your dog is not used to it.
The Decathlon Outdoor app: easily find a hike
This free app brings together thousands of hiking ideas all over France, with ultra-clear information: distance, elevation, duration, points of interest, and even user feedback. You can filter easily according to your desires, your location or your level.
What's also cool is that it's a collaborative app: everyone can share their favorite hikes that may or may not follow the trails of the FFRMore, trails marked in red and white, yellow or blue, and everyone can comment on the hikes to share information: a new obstacle, historical information about a place encountered along the way...
Until now, I used another app to find my routes, but as soon as I lost the network, I was left to my own devices... No network, no map! With Decathlon Outdoor, that can't happen! The app's GPS works with or without a network. Simply download your itinerary before leaving and let yourself be guided by the GPS, even in airplane mode; which saves your battery for long outings too. And if you stray from the path, the app sends you an alert. A revolution for me who tends to get lost easily… 🫣 And recently, we can even export the GPX track and that's good news. So you can upload it to your favorite sports watch and let yourself be guided. And what I also really like is that you can track your performance at a glance : distance covered, walking time, elevation gain, speed, etc.
👉 To prepare your next hike in one click, download quickly the Decathlon Outdoor app (Available on Android and iOS)! Believe me, it will save you a lot of headaches and impassable paths.
The different types of hiking
You don't just go on an adventure with your dog like you're walking down the street! To ensure your hike remains a shared pleasure, you need to anticipate the most common risks: heat, fatigue, injuries, wildlife, livestock, losing your dog, storms, nightfall, lack of water... So, you need to be well-prepared. choose your route based on your partner...
First, let's take a quick look at the different types of hikes, so we know what we're talking about.
???? The day hike
Perfect for a holiday discovery, a nature walk, or a relaxing outing. We're aiming for a suitable route, water, breaks, and a return before fatigue sets in.
⛰️ Sporty hiking
For trained dogs who enjoy long walks, climbing and exploring over several kilometers with significant elevation changes. Possibility of doing a multi-day trek : with overnight stay in a lodge or bivouac, for experienced and well-prepared duos.
The dog is connected to you with a pulling device. This is great for energetic dogs, but it requires proper equipment and gradual training.
All my advice in the special canicross and cani-rando guide.
🦴 Before you leave, ask yourself: Is my dog fit? Is he comfortable with other animals, humans, and narrow passages? Does he have a good recall? Is he young, senior, athletic, or quiet? All dogs can hike, but not in the same way nor over the same distances.
And especially, don't put him in danger with a route that's too long, too steep, or too hot. It's better to do 5 km happily than 20 km in difficulty... for both of you!
For my part, Musher has terrible vertigo (and me too) so I choose routes without cliff edges for example… We tested the calanques together near Marseille: big mistake for us. On certain sections, it was very very difficult. I have very bad memories of it, it was our worst outing I think… NEVER another hike like that for the two of us!
Regulations: Where are you allowed to hike with your dog?
This is often the point that spoils everything if you haven't checked beforehand: some magnificent routes are off-limits to dogs, even on a leash. This is particularly true in many national park core areas and some nature reserves.
- ???? In forest In France, a specific rule requires dogs to be kept on a leash in the forest, outside of forest paths, from April 15th to June 30th. This is the sensitive period for births and nesting.
⛰️ Parks and reserves: Never assume that “dog on a leash = allowed”. In some protected natural areas, dogs may be prohibited to protect wildlife, plants and livestock.
Also keep in mind the concept of roaming: a dog out of earshot, unsupervised, or more than 100 meters away can be considered roaming. Even if your dog "always comes back," hiking is not a dog park. Allowing dogs to roam freely is prohibited in France.
To learn more about permitted areas, parks, sensitive zones and best practices, you can also consult our article: where to hike with your dog?
Check the tourist office website, the park or reserve website, the trailhead signs, and have a dog-friendly backup plan. If the route crosses a restricted area, change your hike. End of story.
It's not because dogs are "bad". It's because they retain predatory reflexes: they can chase wildlife, stress wild animals, disrupt reproduction, come into conflict with herds, or transmit parasites and diseases.
The right, responsible behavior is to respect these rules, even if your dog is adorable, sociable, and perfectly obedient. Even if it's incredibly frustrating.
Herds and Pyrenean Mountain Dogs: A User's Guide
If you're hiking in the mountains or in pastoral areas, you might encounter flocks of sheep and livestock guardian dogs. These dogs aren't there to scare you; they're doing their job. But with a pet dog, the situation can quickly become tense.
The golden rule: Keep your dog on a leash, give the flock a wide berth, remain calm, do not run, do not shout, and do not attempt to pet or push away the guard dog. If the passage seems too difficult, turn back.
Water, food, swimming: points not to be overlooked
When hiking, water is often the number one concern. Your dog doesn't sweat like you: it mainly releases heat through panting and its paw pads. If it's hot, if it's climbing, running, pulling, or is excited, it can become dehydrated faster than you might think.
💧 hydration
Offer water regularly, before your dog gets into difficulty. Don't rely solely on streams: they may be dry, inaccessible, or unsuitable.
I use the dog hiking harness for this: Musher carries some things that clutter my bag (kway for example) and in exchange, I take more water for both of us. It has already happened to me to no longer have a drop of water in the middle of the Cévennes under an unexpected blazing sun: the last 2 kilometers were a anguish… I was really afraid for Musher. A beginner's mistake that could have cost us dearly. Bonus: the pockets of the Decathlon dog hiking harness The attachments detach, transforming the equipment into a simple harness to relieve your dog when needed or to help them overcome an obstacle. And for me? I carry a filter straw so I can drink anywhere! It's saved me more than once!
(I.e. Energy
For a long outing or several days of walking, plan appropriate rations and short breaks. A dog that exerts itself significantly needs to recover.
🏊 Swimming
A swimming break can be great, but always check the water quality, current, access to the banks and any local regulations.
Cyanobacteria can be extremely dangerous for dogs. If the water is green, cloudy, with suspicious deposits, foam, or clumps resembling algae, do not allow your dog to drink or swim in it.
After a questionable swim, if your dog vomits, has diarrhea, seems weak, trembles or exhibits abnormal behavior: contact a veterinarian urgently.
To learn more, read our guide: Cyanobacteria and dogs: the dangers during swimming.
Points to check before going hiking with your dog
So you've chosen hiking? Perfect. Before you slam the car door and put on your shoes, here are a few final tips I'd like to share with you.
Before leaving, make sure you have checked all these points:
- I checked that dogs are allowed on the entire route.
- I checked the weather forecast and planned a solution in case of a storm or extreme heat (sunscreen and a cooling vest for the dog).
- I chose a distance that was suitable for my dog.
- I've brought enough water for myself and for him.
- I have a leash or a long line.A dog off-leash is a dog that can fall, injure itself running after the animal, get lost, or injure local wildlife.
- I have a first aid kit, a survival blanket and tick tweezers.
- I have an emergency carrying harness to transport my dog in case of injury.
- I have what I need to pick up the droppings.
- I downloaded the route or prepared an offline map.
- I charged my phone and let someone know my route.
- I checked my dog's paw pads and general condition.
- I have a plan B in case my dog gets tired or the trail is impassable.
- I have a headlamp for outings that last longer than expected…
And after the hike? Inspect your dog's paw pads, coat, ears, eyes, and any sensitive areas. Brush your dog, check for ticks, offer water, let them rest, and observe their condition in the following hours. Aches, lameness, or fatigue may occur the next day. Just like with you!
Need ideas for dog-friendly hikes?
To help you move from theory to real adventures, I have prepared several selections of hikes to do with your dog in magnificent destinations.
???? ️ Jura mountains
Hiking ideas between lakes, viewpoints, forests and wide open spaces, with tips for enjoying the Jura with your dog.
🌋 Volcanoes of Auvergne
A selection for exploring volcanic landscapes with your dog, while respecting local rules and sensitive areas.
💦 Lot & Dordogne
Walks along the water, between hilltop villages, waterfalls, rivers and refreshing breaks for dogs who love a dip.
And the bonus is that in each of these destinations, there is a tourist office labeled QUALIDOG (or in the process of being certified). These destinations have EVERYTHING planned for your vacation and are waiting for you. See you in the Upper Bugey, in the Massif of Sancy and in the Dordogne valley.
Hiking with your dog is not just about "going for a longer walk". It's about sharing an adventure, learning to observe your dog, respecting its pace, anticipating potential difficulties, and savoring those moments when you walk together, without pressure, just for the pleasure of being outdoors.
So I hope this article has inspired you to lace up your hiking boots and take advantage of the beautiful weather ahead to explore new trails with your dog! Pack your bag, download the app, gear up your dog, and let the adventure begin!
With Musher, I can tell you: hiking memories with your dog are among the most beautiful holiday memories.
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This is so cool, it's me on wood, go support. Having health problems, my sports friends have let me down and I plan to continue walking with my faithful furry companion thanks to your advice and ideas 😀thanks!
I have 3 dogs and I love taking them with me.
Thank you for all your advice. I did the canal from La Gacilly to Brest in a tent, cart, and bike. In 2 years, because Okcia was running, she never wanted to be put in the trailer attached to the bike.