The Barkside Trail | Private Dog Hiking Adventures
Private Dog Hiking Adventures

A better day awaits on The Barkside.

Fairfield & New Haven County, CT

Leaves your dog exercised, fulfilled, and happily exhausted — not just walked.

Book Your Adventure
Dog on the trail at golden hour
On the trail41.14°N 73.26°W
The Barkside Trail logo
Field Notes

The Experience I Provide

No. 01

Focused Hikes

No distractions, no large packs. Just your dog (or your pack) with one dedicated guide, never mixed with other families' dogs.

No. 02

Varied Terrain

From lakeside wanderings to forest climbs, I provide the mental and physical stimulation that neighborhood walks simply can't match.

No. 03

Adventure Card

Each Excursion comes with a bespoke digital Adventure Card with pictures, GPS maps, notes, and stats for you to keep (or show off!)

The Adventure Card

Every adventure ends with a keepsake

Photos from the trail become a shareable Adventure Card: GPS route, stats, captions, and a note about your pup's day.

Dog at a trail stream
the big crossing
Dog exploring the woods
sniff break

moments from the trail…

Adventure Card cover with photos and a trail note
Adventure Card gallery with the GPS route and more photos

…become a card made just for them

A Few Favorite Spots Roosevelt Forest Lake Mohegan Paugussett State Forest
Trail Itinerary

A Day on The Barkside

Your 2-hour booking includes:

1
I arrive at your door at your scheduled time
2
Quick hello, leash up, and your dog hops in the car (secured)
3
Your dog and I hit the trail, ~60 minutes of trail time
4
Snack break, hydration, sniff time, photo ops
5
Back to the car: towel-down and strap in
6
Home delivery, one very happy dog
7
Your Adventure Card arrives by email within a few hours

Door pickup · ~60 min on-trail · home drop-off — about 2 hours door to door.

Lisa with Toby and Emma
GUIDE · LISA, TOBY & EMMA
Your Trail Guide

Hi, I'm Lisa 👋

I've spent years exploring trails, traveling across the country, and making memories with my pups Toby & Emma. The adventures shared are a big part of what inspired me to create The Barkside Trail.

I'm also a respiratory therapist by training, which means I'm trained to spot signs of distress before they become emergencies. That medical instinct comes with me on every trail. Since settling down in Connecticut with my husband, I've fallen in love with the state's beautiful trails and outdoor spaces.

Now, I'm combining my 2 passions — time outdoors & love of dogs — into something that allows me to share that joy with other dogs while giving them the exercise and adventure they desire.

At The Barkside Trail your dog is treated like family. Whether they love long hikes, sniff-filled nature walks, or just being outdoors, I'm dedicated to giving them an experience filled with care, attention, and adventure. I can't wait to meet you and your pup and help them discover their next favorite trail!

Not quite ready to book? Just say hi: [email protected]

The Trail Pass

Investment in Their Happiness

This isn't a dog walk. A 15-minute neighborhood walker charges $25 and barely looks up from their phone. Barkside is a full hour of dedicated trail time, transportation, snacks, hydration, GPS-tracked safety, and a personalized Adventure Card. Built for dogs who deserve more.

Trail Pass · Admit One

The Barkside Expedition

A better day awaits!

$100Flat Rate

+$25 each for up to 2 additional pets

Door-to-trail pickup & return
~60 min of trail time (2-hr total)
Trail snacks & hydration
Live GPS adventure tracking
Trail Notes

Common Questions