This trail is part of the Conejo Recreation & Park District, managed by the Conejo Open Space Foundation. It’s a moderate six-mile round trip with about 900 feet of elevation gain and loss, which means you’ll get a real workout but nothing that’ll leave your dog limping for days.

From the parking lot at Avenida de Los Arboles and Big Sky, head west on Mesa Trail for about a quarter mile, then turn right onto Santa Rosa Trail. This is where the views start opening up—you’ll climb toward a ridge that overlooks both the Conejo and Santa Rosa Valleys. On a clear day, the visibility is excellent, and your dog will probably appreciate the cooler air as you gain elevation.

Continue east on Santa Rosa Trail, then drop down south and west on Lower Butte Trail until you hit Wildwood Avenue. Here’s the slightly annoying part: you’ll walk a short stretch along the sidewalk on Wildwood before picking up a connector trail that takes you back to Santa Rosa Trail for your return journey. It’s not ideal, but it’s brief and necessary.

The whole loop works well for dogs who are decent hikers. The trails are well-maintained, and you’ll see plenty of other dogs on weekends, so your pup won’t feel like they’re missing out. The ridge section is the payoff—that view of both valleys justifies the climb.

Dogs need to stay on a leash no longer than six feet and must remain under control throughout. Clean up after your dog as you go. The parking area at Arboles and Big Sky gets busy on weekends, so if you’re planning to go Saturday or Sunday, aim for an early start to snag a spot.