Want to go hiking with your dog but unsure where to start? Between the gear and the restrictions on dogs in certain areas, it can seem daunting.
But don't worry — to help you set off with confidence, Alice, an experienced hiker, and Helly, her faithful Belgian Malinois, are here to guide you. A native of the Northern Alps and with sixteen years of canicross hiking experience alongside a golden retriever, she now explores the summits across all the Alpine ranges with her wonderful Helly.
From family walks to committed alpine hikes with the right kit, she shares her essential tips for getting started on this adventure with your four-legged companion!
How to hike well with your dog
Where to hike with your dog?
It's simple — in the Alps, there are two rules to remember:- the core zones of the 11 national parks — such as the Vanoise and the Mercantour — are strictly off-limits to dogs. The buffer zone, i.e. The area surrounding the core zone, is however open to access!
- nature reserves have specific regulations. They either formally prohibit pets or allow them on a lead.
How to handle flocks and Pyrenean mountain dogs?
During the grazing season — from June to September — you may come face to face with flocks and their guard dogs. They're impressive in size and often have a bad reputation. Bear in mind, however, that the number of accidents remains marginal if you adopt the right behaviour: move away from the protected flock, stay calm and avoid making large gestures. It's easier if your dog, like Helly, is sociable with other dogs or even a little timid. Walk straight through without stopping, speaking in a gentle, soothing voice to signal your good intentions — and it usually goes pretty smoothly! Sometimes you may be followed for a short while with barking and growling, but we have never been attacked, despite encountering them very frequently. However, if your dog is reactive, we strongly recommend checking with local tourist offices, as they are sometimes informed of the presence of flocks — the encounter could be much harder to manage.What gear do you need to hike with your dog?
For hiking with your dog, you can mainly use these two harnesses, as Helly does:- a lightweight canicross-style harness, ideal for short, easy walks
- a Y-harness with a dorsal handle for long and potentially technical hikes — useful for helping with an extension over a rocky step, for example!
How to manage your dog's effort
Elevation gain
With a puppy, take it slowly: build up the elevation gain gradually to avoid health issues down the line, as they're still growing! And what does that look like in practice? If you're both starting out together — human and dog — ideally aim for hikes with 200 to 300 metres of positive elevation gain at first, and watch your dog's attitude and energy levels during the outing. Then gradually increase the elevation and distance over the following months.Water management
Bear in mind that a dog drinks more in summer than in winter. You need to plan a substantial water supply: at least 1 litre for short outings, and up to 2 to 3 litres on longer hikes. Some people let their dogs drink from streams and lakes along the way. But sometimes you won't find any water sources, or they'll be dry, so it's always better to plan ahead.Altitude
Be mindful of altitude if you ever plan to take your dog above 3,000 metres. Just as with humans, the lack of oxygen can put them in difficulty if they don't have enough endurance — and they can also be susceptible to altitude sickness, just like us. The difference is that they struggle to give us a warning. So you need to stay alert to the slightest unusual change in your dog's behaviour. But that doesn't mean it's off-limits: we have completed around twenty hikes above 3,000 metres with Helly. The panoramas are breathtaking and sharing those summits with her makes them all the more special. Our 2023 goal is actually to take her past the 4,000-metre mark in canine mountaineering.How to stay safe?
On the lead or off?
Where there is specific regulation, such as a mandatory lead requirement, you must comply — the fine can be steep! It is usually announced at the start of a route on signs that display a prefectural or municipal order number. Otherwise, there is no obligation, and it is up to you to work on your dog's recall so you can walk freely off the lead without disturbing the local wildlife and flora! You will often encounter ibex, marmots, chamois and other species that need peace and quiet. While many dogs have a predatory or playful instinct to chase after them, it is entirely possible to train them to stop dead in their tracks in these situations. Besides, you'll probably be just as thrilled to be able to observe this natural spectacle yourself. Ibex are often very curious around calm dogs and will happily come closer to take a look!
How to behave if you encounter a wolf or a bear?
Don't panic — encounters are extremely rare, and spotting this kind of animal in the mountains is considered a privilege. Coming face to face with these species would be truly exceptional. If it does happen, stay calm, avoid running, and keep an eye on both the animal and your dog at the same time. In 30 years in the mountains, I've only ever crossed paths with a grey wolf once, on a glacier in the Northern Alps: it was just Helly and me, about 200 metres away, and it went perfectly well. It had spotted us long before we saw it and we posed no threat — we stayed completely still. It then went about its wolf business for 10 minutes before letting us watch it make its way back up the entire glacier.Summer, autumn, winter, spring: the pitfalls to avoid in every season!
In summer, the heat can sometimes be overwhelming. It's important to keep your dog well hydrated, as they can be susceptible to heatstroke. Setting off very early in the morning will help you avoid the hottest temperatures, as you'll likely be heading back down by the time the sun reaches its peak. The effort involved is therefore much more manageable. In autumn, it's the height of the hunting season. We need to be vigilant about our dogs' safety, as too many accidents still target them. A high-vis harness and a bell are very practical for making them visible! In winter, if you're just starting out, snowshoes are the better option — they make it much easier to manage your dog. Ski touring is great fun, but it takes practice: watch out for sharp edges that can seriously injure your dog. Train your dog to stay behind you and never overtake. In spring, the days get brighter and the snow melts. Watch out in April and May for the many snowfields which, just as for humans, can be extremely dangerous if crossed without due care. You'll need to teach your dog to cross them calmly — they generally have no awareness of the risk of slipping.Now, the summits are waiting for you and your faithful companion! And to follow Alice and Helly's adventures, click here.
