Our pups have always loved hiking, so we’ve searched for trails in our area of Western Washington that we can enjoy with them in their later years. I’ve compiled a list of hikes that we like and would recommend to others with senior dogs. Of course, every dog is different so do your research and adjust your plans as needed. The list is separated by geographical region. To view all the hikes, as well as additional tips, the best place to start is on the introductory page: Hiking with Senior Dogs in Western Washington.
And don’t forget, for everyone’s safety and enjoyment of the trails, make sure you keep your pup on leash and pick up after them!
Chops enjoying the beach at Anderson Landing at low tide during her younger years
Many of the parks in Kitsap County have trails that are suitable for senior pets, though the number of scenic ones is limited given the lack of elevation gain. We continue to explore these local trails, and have currently only scratched the surface. I’ve divided this list into two sections: 1) hikes that are higher on my list of recommend options for senior dogs and 2) trails that wouldn’t be my first choice but are still worth considering. Obviously the quality of a hike is subjective, but I’ve tried to categorize these local hikes so you can determine which ones you want to try first.
I’ve recently discovered Kitsap Trail Guide, which offers a number of interesting maps, including some in 3D, as well as commentary on local hikes.
IN THIS ARTICLE
OLYMPIC VIEW PARK (Silverdale)
GRAND FOREST – WEST (Bainbridge Island) – coming soon
GAZZAM LAKE NATURE PRESERVE (Bainbridge Island)
ANDERSON LANDING PRESERVE (Silverdale)
POINT NO POINT (Hansville)
BUCK LAKE COUNTY PARK (Hansville) – coming soon
NEWBERRY HILL HERITAGE PARK (Silverdale) – coming soon
SECOND TIER RECOMMENDATIONS:
UELAND TREE FARM (Bremerton)
BANNER FOREST HERITAGE PARK (Port Orchard)
FISH PARK (Poulsbo)
Read about other hikes for senior dogs in Western Washington!
Hiking with Senior Dogs in Western Washington
