The Levee is what locals call the paved path that runs four miles from Gilroy Sports Park all the way out to Hecker Pass Highway. It’s one of those walks that feels longer than it is because there’s enough to look at along the way—Uvas Creek (though it dries up by summer), views of the Gabilan Mountains, and Christmas Hill Park if you time it right. The path itself is smooth and straightforward, which makes it good for dogs of any fitness level, though you’ll want to bring extra water in warm months since shade is pretty sparse in places.

You’ve got flexibility on where to start. The main trailhead at Gilroy Sports Park has reliable parking, but you can also hop on from Christmas Hill Park or Hecker Pass Park, both of which have their own parking lots. This is helpful if you just want to do a mile or two instead of the full four miles.

The path gets regular foot and bike traffic, especially on weekends, so keep your dog on leash and stay right to let faster people pass. It’s a straightforward out-and-back route, which means you can decide how far you want to go and turn around whenever you’ve had enough. In winter and spring when Uvas Creek actually has water, the whole thing feels greener and less dusty. Summer visits work fine too if you go early and come prepared for heat.

The levee itself is protected from vehicle traffic since no motorized vehicles are allowed on the paved path, which keeps things quiet and manageable. It’s the kind of place where you’ll see plenty of other people with dogs, so your experience probably won’t feel isolated, but it also won’t feel crowded unless you’re going midday on a Saturday.