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Waterdog Hiking North Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 129 Google reviews · Running trail in Belmont, California · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Waterdog Hiking North Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

LoopShadedScenicDog-friendlyHilly

Picturesque park featuring hiking and biking trails for all skill levels.

What runners say about Waterdog Hiking North Trailhead

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (129 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“Nice moderate hike with great views from the top.”

🌳 shaded & cool 3 mentions

“Peaceful dog friendly hike with limited shade.”

🐕 dog-walking favorite 3 mentions

“Nice park that caters to mountain bikers, runners, and dog walkers.”

Peaceful dog friendly hike with limited shade. A few loop trail options to fit your time budget. 🚻Porto potty at the north entrance is available, but you can smell it strong from the outside 💩😩🤢

★★★★☆ — Tre , Apr 2022

Great hiking place. Moderate to challenging trails. Be prepared for some steep sections. Nice views of the hills and Baylands. You can expect mountain bikes in most of the trails. Dogs allowed on leash.

★★★★★ — Luis , Feb 2023

Park is open from sunrise to sunset. Outdoor safety guidelines: 1. Please, do not ride/hike/gather in groups of any size 2. Pick off-hours to ride or hike, avoid times of heavy trail use 3. Keep rides and hikes short if you do choose to enjoy the trails 4. Use the restroom before coming to an Open Space 5.

★★★★☆ — Cali , Jan 2021

Great locally trails if you need a ride and don't have time for a longer trip out of town.

★★★★★ — Tim , Sep 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 129 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🐕 Dog-friendly 8 mentions

“Someone said the water is not really for dogs tho, I can not confirm.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 7 mentions

“Some trails are pretty steep but always fun.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 7 mentions

“Nice moderate hike with great views from the top.”

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🔁 Loop trail 4 mentions

“Nice little 4 miles loop but you can extend it more by wandering around 😀.”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 3 mentions

“Peaceful dog friendly hike with limited shade.”

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Plan your run at Waterdog Hiking North Trailhead

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitebelmont.gov

Hours

Monday 6 am–6 pm
Tuesday 6 am–6 pm
Wednesday 6 am–6 pm
Thursday 6 am–6 pm
Friday 6 am–6 pm
Saturday 6 am–6 pm
Sunday 6 am–6 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Waterdog Hiking North Trailhead

Lake Rd, Belmont, CA 94002

Get directions

Running trails near Belmont

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

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Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.