I had forgotten just how gorgeous this hike is--the scenery is incredible the entire way. Be prepared for a steady climb through most of the route, with plenty of wooden stairs, gnarly roots, and rock steps, but the stunning views make every bit of effort worth it. There are many great spots to stop for photos, take a break, or enjoy a picnic--we did all three. Thanks to the recent rain, there was still plenty of water flowing, which made the trail even more beautiful. The picnic area at Laurel Dell is especially serene, with a babbling brook nearby. There's even an outhouse, which is always a welcome sight. I actually found climbing up much easier than descending as one has to really pay attention to their footing. We were happy seeing Alpine Lake again knowing we were close to end of hike. read more

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A scenic trail, the winding uphill drive to reach the trail sets the mood and makes one start feeling the adventure even before one gets on the trail. The Cataract trail is medium difficulty level so one must be geared up well especially wearing the right shoes. It's along the stream of water and is quite narrow, has nice views. We were there before the sunset and the colors around looked so pretty! Quite close to the Fairfax downtown. There was no parking near the trail so people mostly park along the road. read more

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Went here with a friend and her dog and had such a great time. Such a beautiful, peaceful hike and definitely one of my favorites on Mount Tam. The drive in was beautiful too, the views of Alpine Lake along the way made the whole trip feel extra special before we even got to the trail. Be prepared for a lot of stairs, so it can definitely get your legs working, but the waterfalls make it completely worth it. Hearing the water and being surrounded by all the greenery made the whole hike feel so calm and relaxing. The views throughout the hike are gorgeous, and it's such a nice escape if you're looking for something peaceful and scenic. Definitely recommend checking out Cataract Falls if you're up for a little workout with a really rewarding payoff. Definitely will be coming back :) read more

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3/21/2026, on our quest of visiting as many Water Falls as we can while we're still in CA, we drove to see the Cataract Falls Trail in Fairfax (Bolinas) from the East Bay. Took the 880-80-580-San Raphael Bridge to Fairfax and follow the Apple Map to the trail. We had to park on the street quite away from the trail, but it's a hiking day so it's OK. From the bottom to the Falls is about 1 mile up hill a little but we stopped there and not going up higher. There's a lake on the way to the falls on the left which is very nice. The trail is narrow sometimes. It was a nice experience and the Cataract Falls actually has water running down. We're very happy. This one is close to the Cascade Falls which we went last year and saw dried up falls, no water, so we will try it on the way back. https://youtu.be/b-TLp1fuw1g read more

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One of the toughest but rewarding hikes. The drive there was very windy. Take it slow!Parking is very limited and was somewhat scary for me with the narrow roads. The hike starts out flat for maybe the first .10 mile(?). Then it's all uphill. But the beautiful views of the lake and the various waterfalls definitely made it all worth it. Plus there are stairs that help you with the climb! We didn't make it all the way to the end but probably turned around at a mile in. But the experience was great. Don't forget to wear good hiking boots and lots of bug spray! read more

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This hike is beautiful! Be prepared for a steep hike, but totally worth it. I would say if you have any trouble with steep hikes to bring a walking stick. We did about 2 1/2 miles round-trip and I believe you can go much further. The water surrounding the trail is a stunning site. There is no swimming/plunging. I was pretty disappointed to see that people had left trash behind. The area seemed very secluded for there to be so much trash, it was upsetting. Whatever you bring in bring out! Do not leave your trash! Do not litter! Other than that, bring plenty of water and enjoy the wonderful waterfalls! read more

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Tough climb but super serene and refreshing. Trail is in the Mt. Tamalpais Watershed but starts at a much lower elevation than the hikes near Bon Tempe Lake. Here you start low and end up high, then back down. There's a beautiful lake (a piece of Alpine Lake)at the base surrounded by trees and reflects the sky effortlessly. Once on this trail it only does one thing...it climbs and climbs and climbs. No meandering trails that weave through a hilllside in a gradual fashion. Here it is pretty much in a straight fashion, many are steps whether wooden or stone. A few other trails intersect here so one can extend a hike to different areas. Gotta be savvy with maps for that. A little over a mile up. About 1000 feet of elevation gain. I can usually hike a flat-ish mile in a half hour. Here it took me over an hour. I had to take several breaks as some stretches were pretty draining. But after the first stop or 2 I just used those breaks to really breathe in the clean air and absorb the tranquil surroundings. Lots of pools of water, basically a stream going down this hillside so lots of trickling sounds and even a few spots of rushing waterfalls. The flow of water is probably more vigorous in the spring after a seasons worth of fresh rain. Late summer it was quite mellow but relaxing. At the top is just a flat meadow next to the rocky stream. There's a couple of picnic benches up there. At first I was a bit underwhelmed as usually after a good climb there's usually a rewarding view overlooking something. Here not so much as you're still in the middle of a forest. But as I refreshed myself near the stream I just watched these blue jays glide from the trees to the stream. And monarch butterflies fluttered in patches of sunlight to bask in the heat. And an occasional breeze would shake down small dried leaves like a gentle snowfall, as the tranquil silence enveloped me like a long lost embrace. All the strenuous efforts of the climb, all of a sudden felt mute, justified...satisfied...amazed. read more

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Mountain Tam's Cataract Falls trail is my favorite hiking trail in Marin. The trail follows Cataract Creek as it cascades down Mount Tamalpais and flows into Alpine Lake. About 4 mile out-and-back trail near Stinson Beach, California. Cataract Falls Trail is considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 3 hours, including the time to stop for lunch. At the start of the trail, I feel like it's the cardiac trail, as the steps will take you straight up with the elevation gain of 1300 ft! The steepest part of the trail is treacherous uphill at the beginning. Don't worry as the beautiful scenery and the waterfalls will ease your elevation gain. It's a serious hike! Beautiful hike with an incredible views. Totally worth the climb for sure. Enjoy! read more

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My go-to spot to hike with my boys. So many waterfalls and cute spots to picnic. They love dipping their feet in the water near one of the falls. We've spotted lots of creatures along the way including deer, banana slugs, and chipmunks. read more

Cataract Falls Trail - Banana slug - Hiking Near Me

Nice hike with good elevation, lots of steps and small to medium waterfalls throughout most of the hike. The trip there is about 6 miles of very windy / switchbacks. The trail head is clearly marked and it's easy to find your way. It's an in and out (not a loop). We walked about 2.5 miles, then turned around. Lots of families and their dogs the day we went. I would definitely return. read more

Met up with friends at end of May for a day hike. Started at Rock Spring parking lot, potty available. Total 6 miles, first 1.5 miles is easy flat with spars people on the trail. After Laurel Dell picnic area, it is a constant descend with lots of waterfalls and pools. Entire trail was pleasantly shaded in the forest. My one con was lots of people which is not convenient for the single track trail read more

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There are many waterfalls in Marin, but I feel this is the most impressive one. The hike encompasses numerous large waterfalls instead of just one along the trail. The best time to go is after a heavy rain when the water is gushing. Parking is very hard on Bolinas Road, it's best to come early. There is also an entrance on Mt. Tam, but it adds about an extra mile to the hike. The hike isn't that long but it does take a while because it's uphill all the way and there is a lot of stopping for photos. It can get crowded on weekends after a heavy rain. It's not a hard hike but it kinda creeps up on you and something to think about if you have bad knees for the descent. It's very shaded the whole way with tons of greenery, ferns and moss, You feel like you are in a fairytale forest. read more

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Cataract Falls is one of those quintessential, must do Bay Area hikes. But because of that, the trail has become even more popular and difficult to navigate over the years. I usually go once a year and have found that parking at the Rock Spring lot, following the creek and going downhill allows for easier parking, a peaceful hike through the woods in the first portion but an uphill return trip. Winter is the time to go after a good, steady rain but that does make the trail slippery. I find that hiking poles are a must for this hike. I came twice, recently. On 12/26/23, I parked at Rock Spring, arriving around 9:30 and had the falls nearly to myself. The woods were mossy green and mushrooms were sprouting up everywhere. It had rained but the not a lot, so the falls were flowing-but not too strongly. Still, it was a wonderful, peaceful hike. Yesterday, 01/15/2024, I came back and took a friend, who's never been and parked at the bottom, near Alpine Dam. It was a later arrival than I hoped on a holiday Monday, but before 11 and parking was available along the road (there's only a few spaces and then some sketchy roadside parking.) Our way up was lovely-not too many other hikers and after some heavier rain, the falls were wonderful-everything so lush and green! My only complaint is not so much the influx of people, the later it got on trail-it's good to see people get outside and enjoy nature. What made the hike less pleasant as more people arrived, is the general lack of trail etiquette and unprepared hikers. People just barreling down narrow, steep trails and not being aware of trails users trying to keep their footing was a big issue. There were others who were going off trail and it was surprising (but maybe not) to see some trail goers wearing white tennis shoes or other footwear with no traction. They were slipping past other hikers, causing unsafe passing conditions. So, if you go, stick to weekdays and non-holidays if you want more solitude, come prepared for slippery muddy conditions, be respectful of those around you and nature, itself. This is a beautiful, special trail in the winter months and worth the windy drive up in to the Mt Tam watershed. read more

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The Cataract Falls Trail is beautiful but watch your steps. It's incredibly slippery muddy and steep in some areas. There's also a fallen trunk that you'd have to duck under. A stair master hike in the nature. There's only one bench the whole hike. read more

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By far the most magical hike I've ever taken. We went in February and the water was gushing! I've never seen such a long trail of water falls from top to bottom...the 1.5 hike is no joke. It's slippery and super steep but well worth it!!! It took us three hours round trip. Also be aware that parking is very limited. Still worth it though! read more

Cataract Falls Trail - Hiking Near Me

Long trail. Used the all trail app to do a 12-13 mile loop. Cataract falls came first Then alpine lake Then the major lake Alpine Lake and Table Rock via Willow Camp and Matt Davis Loop on AllTrails https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/alpine-lake-and-table-rock-via-willow-camp-and-matt-davis-loop?sh=uyvtjx read more

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It was a steep climb with many many stairs but we definitely saw some very cool views. It's very shady and lots of green. I recommend you wear good hiking shoes cause I fell on my way to the water. We got a great workout out of it. The only problem is parking. We had to walk like 6 minutes down to the trail cause it was very busy. Also, we expected a better view at the top of the trail, not just some picnic tables, which was a little disappointing. But overall it's a great hike! read more

Cataract Falls Trail - Alpine lake - Hiking Near Me

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Falls: Went in beginning of Oct 2021 so most of the falls were dry or tiny dribbles, but the hike was great. Shade: It was almost completely shady which was great. Difficulty: I am a pretty fit person who does high intensity training 4-5 times a week and read many people said this hike was 'easy' and had a lot of stairs. I could do it just fine but would not call it easy for anyone. There are A LOT of steep stairs and some rugged rock areas. For some people it could be very hard, just FYI. read more

Cataract Falls Trail - Had to carry the pup down steep rocky parts - Hiking Near Me

Super pretty waterfalls and trees. Well maintained path and clear steps pretty difficult hike though it was rough but worth it! read more

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So lush, so green, waterfalls everywhere. Even if you have cataracts you would still be able to appreciate this hike. We hiked to the picnic tables which was approximately 4 miles RT. There are some stairs and uphill incline so I would rate it moderate but it's certainly a trail that is doable for the whole family. I quickly learned there were multiple waterfalls throughout the entire hike. It's nice that you don't have to go too far into the hike to already start seeing them though. Of note we did come after rain so I'm not sure what the falls would be like otherwise. I think it would still a very beautiful hike though even if the falls weren't flowing. I would say the only minor less appealing aspects of the hike were the road to get here is a little narrow and windy. Parking is just along the side of the road, also narrow. read more

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Loved this hike! The only reason for 4 stars is because parking was a pain in the butt. There was probably better parking on the opposite end of the trail but to be honest, I was glad we hiked up the first half and down the second. On that note, there were a lot of stairs but it made the hike actually feel like exercise. All of the shade kept the temperature perfect and the waterfalls made for nice little moments of nature appreciation. It was pretty busy (it was the weekend) but everyone was respectful of the foot traffic going both ways. Highly recommend checking this trail out. read more

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Absolutely stunning! I came alone on a Friday morning (11am) and had no issues with parking near the trail entrance. I highly recommend wearing shoes with grip to prevent from slipping and falling/injury. This is natures stairmaster. Make sure to hydrate prior to starting. There is a porta potty onsite. read more

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We did the 9mile loop of this hike and it was so beautiful! I like that you can decided how much of the hike you want to do. There were nice picnic tables further past the falls with bathrooms but beware that the portopotties are horrific. I ended up holding it until I got to a restaurant. The trail itself is really beautiful and has different terrain. Only complaint is that it gets crowded at the beginning of the hike because that's where all the falls are. But if you keep going, we were able to have the trail to ourselves for a large portion of it. I would come back again and swim in the falls! read more

Cataract Falls Trail - Hiking Near Me

Ok so this is what I'll say... The views are beautiful here. This is not an easy trail .. I'm not a professional hooker so take what I say with a grain of salt but I wouldn't say this was way. And parts of it were very narrow and in some cases it was slippery. I didn't make it all the way up to the top. Not sure what the top looks like but for me to get to where I made it and still be able to capture as many beautiful shots as I did, I can only imagine what it looks like at the top. One of the things I want to be sure to bring up is that driving up the the trail was quite scary as well. We are driving up a mountain with lots of twists, turns and narrow roads. There were lots of bikers we had to try and creep around and it was one lane each way and in some cases, one lane period. I don't usually get nauseous going up mountains but I was a little queasy getting to this trail but it was worth it for the views. read more

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Went in August, very little water and a billion steps. Definitely don't recommend if you are expecting a mellow nature hike and recommend earlier in the season. Minimal parking. Otherwise, beautiful to be in the greenery and fresh air. read more

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One of the best hikes I've been to but a hard trail! I love living here in the SF Bay Area!! So many beautiful places to see nature at its best!! I also like adventure and waterfalls! I'm an outdoorsy kinda person when I exercise. This trail offers lots to see from rock trails, shade, to tons and tons of steps like a stair master but worse, lots of green foliage, fallen trees, red woods and waterfalls! I would totally recommend to start the trail from Bolinas Fairfax Road to go up the Cataract trail then down to make it easier on your legs. We did the opposite by starting at the Ridgecrest Blvd/Pan Toll Rd and it was super tiring especially going up the stairs for our last part of the hike. We did a lot of detours going down the multiple waterfalls so we ended up almost seven miles vs five miles. I was perfectly fine doing the trail but the siblings I went with, were struggling a bit as they are not used to it. This is not really for beginners but if you have the will to finish, it's doable still. I totally recommend this place but come early to find parking. There is a lot of bikers on the road getting here so watch out for them as you have to share the small road with them. Very picture worthy!! [83/100] read more

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Beautiful hiking trail in Mt. Tam. It has lots of good breathtaking views. This trail tho has a lot and lots of stairs so be prepared for it. You will see lots of running water, the lake, mini falls and the Cataract falls itself. Enjoy the view as you hike along. Bring some water, some snacks and good shoes as this trail may be hard if your not wearing a good shoe for hiking. read more

Cataract Falls Trail - Hiking Near Me

Cataract Falls is a quick out and back trail that serves up beautiful scenery, waterfalls, and with over 1,000 feet elevation gain a moderate workout. We picked this trail based on recommendations from locals and because it was close to several creameries in the area that we wanted to explore. We went in December and it had rained for several days leading up to our hike. I know it's not always possible to go after rainfall, but this is the best time to visit because the plants were lush and green and the falls were active and flowing. The trail is well marked and popular and we saw people of all ages and capabilities making the 3.3 mile trek. It's not overly strenuous, although there is a steady incline for the first mile and a half. There is plenty of shade and lots of places to stop and experience the tranquility of the falls and forest. We enjoyed the hike and if you can, visit a few days after rainfall or in the winter/spring. read more

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A moderate hike. The good thing is that the trail is for the mostly shaded. It wasn't one of my favorite hikes but it was a good amount of miles. read more

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I would say this hike is a moderately challenging hike even though my boyfriend hardly struggled. I would say half the hikers I saw on the trail were on the same struggle bus as me when it came to the inclines/stairs and half were like my boyfriend just enjoying the shaded hike. The Cataract Trail is a beautiful trail but the falls were not gushing (visited beginning of July 2023) like they were at Yosemite (visited end of May 2023). It was pretty peaceful though. I feel like youtube tv probably comes here and films the falls for those "take a peaceful break" commercials or whatever. Dogs on leashes are allowed on the trail. It took us just under 3 hours to do the out and back trail which included breaks for me to catch my breath and breaks to take photos and eat a snack. We went all the way up to the picnic area where there is a bathroom and then turned back. The bathrooms at the picnic area had no lighting and kinda reeked bad. It had toilet paper in one stall but not the other. They probably hadn't been maintained for the day yet. You could keep going onto more trails from the picnic area but we decided to head back to catch brunch. Parking near the trailhead is limited. As with most hikes, go early if you want a prime spot. We arrived around 8 am on a Sunday and were able to find parking in front of the trailhead. There are two porta potties at the start. I cannot vouch for cleanliness as I did not use them. FYI - my calves and thighs were sore the next day. Lol read more

Just finished hiking this trail today and man! Im sore. But i pushed myself and my kids! It was worth every pain and sweat! It was a beautiful hike, view, and lots of shades and water falls! It took us total of 3.5 hours to go up and down starting at the cataract trail all the way to the picnic area. Going up ofcourse was a challenge but we did a lot of little rest lol. Make sure to bring lots of water and a some snacks especially if your diabetic. Again it worth a try! It's breathtaking! read more

Marin county has tons of hiking spots, and Mt. Tamalpais is known for it. Super cute trail and easy to hike, even if you have kids too. Came by here this past weekend and it was so beautiful! It was still low key raining a bit but a little water doesn't hurt. Started on the dam side, and bundled up. Trail can be tricky when wet. Waterfalls everywhere though The sound of rain, waterfall and just pure silence was bliss. I was very alone pretty much my entire hike, and passed by a couple of people. Everyone was social distancing and wearing masks. Great butt workout up those steps! read more

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Cataract Falls in Bolinas, CA was so beautiful and easy to hike. It is a family friendly hike as it is a short in and out route. There was free parking nearby but it was very busy when I went. Luckily everyone was wearing a mask and trying to social distance as much as possible. I highly recommend this hike. If you have any questions reach out. read more

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There's no direct access to going anywhere where you could actually bring a family to walk it. It's more like trails and stuff that people made which I don't deem safe however it was a nice experience to be outdoors as always but it's best to look up how people get to the area so you can find out with your family. read more

Please stay on the trails and OUT of the waterfalls!!!! The post Covid visitation is creating erosion and damaging this area! This water is also part of Marin Country's DRINKING WATER. Please pack it in and pack it out too. If this continues it will ruin the area for everyone. Please help protect this area. read more

More like 3.5 stars This hike is definitely not for beginners, and driving there takes forever. Lots of Lance Armstrong wannabes on your way there and back, so expect to see them along the way and share the road. Get here super early, there's no actual parking lot. Everyone is parked on the side of the road, and it's difficult to make U-turns. I recommend coming after a full week of rain, as we came when there was a semi-drought and no water rushing through; therefore, no big falls to see. Of all the years exploring SF to Marin, I never thought of coming 'til after having kids. They're the ones who keep me constantly moving. They did leave me in the dust, even the dog. I stopped mid-way when they said I was whining too much, so I started a picnic near one of the many falls. I will probably not come back again LOL! 'Til next time or maybe never ~ happy trails and see you on Yelp (SYOY)! read more

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Somewhere along the way between a case of plantar fasciitis & just life, I got away from being often outdoors hiking & trail running the great many incredible trails all around the Bay Area. So, to get back on track, & do it with an exclamation point, I decided to finally go to a place I've had bookmarked for years: Cataract Falls. Getting to the Cataract trailhead was a long windy drive on Fairfax-Bolinas Road fraught with bicyclists who don't seem to care enough about not getting run over & deer that occasionally lope across the road. The key to not hitting anyone or anything on 2 wheels or 4 legs is to go slow. Arriving without a new hood ornament, I scored choice parking. Beautiful everywhere. Really, those 2 words could've been the entire review. From the trailhead to Laurel Dell picnic area, it's moderately steep & moderately rugged. With water flowing & cascading right next to the trail pretty much the whole way. I ran in spots, hiked in spots, & stopped a bunch of times to snap pictures. It was close to 3 miles out & back. By the time I got back to the car, I'd worked up enough sweat & endorphins, deeply filled up my lungs with enough crisp fresh air, that I wondered how I'd gotten away from this so long. There's so much astonishing natural beauty out in the wilds around the Bay Area. Cataract Falls is 1 such place. I will be getting back out there. & I will be getting back here. read more

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A beautiful hike! The falls and the scenery make for a great day. Go early to get good parking and wear decent hiking shoes.

I have recently visited this location with a few colleagues of mine. This unique experience offers a variety of vast and wonderful cascades. If you continue upon the marked trail for approximately one mile you arrive alongside a ravishing reservoir, accompanied by a grand fall, gushing into such pond. Although swimming is disallowed in a theoretical sense, there are no genuine restrictions prohibiting such action, and to indulge in said activity is quite enjoyable. To conclude, I highly recommend adventuring within the "Cataract Falls" trail as it is a one-of-a-kind opportunity that no single soul would want to miss. read more

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I did the 9 mi. loop a couple of times, once with my dog, and it's fantastic in nearly every way, both for physically fit humans and dogs. It's beautiful upon entering the dense forest and seeing multiple falls at various points, as well as the lake further down. It's great for exercise, beautiful photography and sitting at a picnic area for lunch. I only saw one picnic area, but there were a few tables in it. There are only two downsides I saw. When I was there, I did not see any signs indicating that dogs are not allowed to drink from the water in or near the waterfalls. I had plenty of water for my dog that I carried, but he ran into the water once to drink. Another hiker passing by told me I should get him out because if a ranger sees, I would get a fine. Signs with a warning about a fine should be present to keep out of the water. The only other downside, which is not unique to Cataract Falls, is the very narrow, windy road on the way there, and you cannot pass other drivers. You might not like that some drivers go very slowly or drive right up behind you as if trying to force you to go faster. Take it easy and enjoy the scenery on the drive there, and keep yourself and your dog on the trails, and it should be a fantastic hike! read more