Best Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails Near Boston

Fall is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy the final days of summer and nice weather, and that includes bringing your dog along for a nice, long, healthy walk. Most dogs don't like to be left home alone and most owners prefer to take them along for the ride to avoid any catastrophes when left alone. Now is your chance to take your four-legged friend for an afternoon out that you will both remember. From walks along reservoirs to more scenic locales that include amazing views, here are our picks for some of the best dog-friendly hiking trails.

The Blue Hills Reservation bordering the towns of Canton, Milton, Dedham and Randolph is one of the best places to go for an adventurous walk with your best friend, as it covers more than 7,000 acres. Hike all the way up to Great Blue Hill (take your pet in the early morning hours during the summer to avoid overheating). Once you arrive at the top of the mountain at a cool 635 feet, if it's a clear day, you can see all the way to New Hampshire. Best of all, it's location less than a half an hour away from Boston. Natural ponds are scattered throughout the Blue Hills Reservation so your four-legged friend can cool down after a long hike.

If you thought Chestnut Hill was all about swanky stores and tiny boutiques, it's time to think again. Hammond Pond Parkway offers a beautiful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city where you can take Fido on a leisurely walk throughout the reservation. Located adjacent to the Webster Conservation area, Hammond Pond Reservation offers a natural forest with scenic trails (be careful when walking around the boulders that line the reservation). Here, you can also cool down at Lost Pond, which offers a gorgeous respite from city life.

If you are looking for a South Shore escape located just a few minutes from downtown Boston, head to Squantum Point Park in Quincy with your furry friend. Here, you can see the Boston skyline on any given day while walking the beautiful area filled with gorgeous flora. Once the former setting for a Naval airfield and a shipbuilding corporation, the waterfront area has been transformed into a spacious park. When it comes to hiking, take your four-legged friend on a two-mile walk along the Quincy RiverWalk, where you can also let your dog take a swim.

Related: Family Guide To New England Aquarium In Boston

Bordering the towns of West Roxbury and Hyde Park is a quiet respite known as Stony Brook Reservation. Here, you can bring your best friend for a hike along 12 miles of scenic trails that wind along Turtle Pond. The reservation includes 475 massive acres of hiking and walking paths that also includes an ice skating rink, soccer and baseball fields and even a pool. After a long hike, your furry friend can cool down with a swim in the pond while you can head over for a dip in the pool.

There is nothing quite like taking your dog for a walk along a scenic tree-lined trail, and that's just what you will find at the Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain. This popular dog-friendly location has a hill that can be hiked for an incredible view of Boston at the summit. There are usually lots of bikers, walkers, hikers, joggers and families with kids enjoying a picnic on the lush grounds. After you have climbed the summit, head over to any of the grassy areas to play some catch with your four-legged friend.

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