* All trails within driving distance of Austin, San Antonio, and Houston * Terrain that's hazard-free and easy on the dog paws * Guidebook includes what to pack for your dog -- the Ten Canine Essentials and the Doggy First-Aid Kit A native of Texas, Melissa Gaskill has spent more than 20 years hiking and camping with her dogs all over the Lonestar State. In this guidebook, she shares her favorite hikes in the Hill Country and Coast areas that are sure to delight both you and your dog. The trails in range from short jaunts to longer, challenging hikes. Discover everything from rugged hills with limestone cliffs and rolling terrain, to wide-open areas with brush and cactus, to the coastal plain with its grasslands and pine forests. For each hike, leash regulations and availability of water are noted, along with any trail concerns pertinent for your dog. Advice is given on topics such as proper canine trail etiquette, wildlife encounters, and weather concerns. There's also a handy Trail Finder chart that lists hikes by length, terrain, difficulty for dogs, and more. "Best Hikes with Dogs: Texas Hill Country and Gulf Coast is a great resource for dog owners and dog lovers who like to get their canine buddies out on the trails with them… Trail descriptions are excellent, with the trail(s) laid out carefully on a topo map overlay with trailheads, picnic tables, parking areas and campgrounds, if any, marked on the maps." ― Sierra Club Austin Chapter "The book is solid, informative and a very useful guide for both dog owners looking for a place to exercise Bowser and hikers who like to share the outdoor experience with dogs and their owners… Get this book. If you don't want to carry it yourself, put it in Tailgate's doggy pack. He will carry it gladly just for the chance to go with you." ― Sierra Club Austin Chapter MELISSA GASKILL has written for newspapers and magazines for more than 15 years on a variety of topics, including travel, outdoors, parenting, and more. Her two enthusiastic trail companions are Keeper, a Labrador retriever, and Max, a mixed-breed adopted from an animal shelter. She lives in Austin with her husband, three children, and two dogs.