Where to hike with a dog in Calistoga: Oat Hill Mine

If you like hiking up mountains with your dog off-leash, this trail is a good choice.

Checking out the view along the Oat Hill Mine trail.

It also offers great views and an even better workout, so it is a very popular trail with hikers and bicyclists as well as dog owners. So if you'd rather not run into a lot of other people and dogs, it might not be the best choice for you.
The trailhead is located just off the intersection of Highway 29 and the Silverado Trail and has a small parking lot that fills up fast. 
The first mile heads up pretty gradually above the vineyards, then gets more rocky between miles 1 and 2. Between miles 2 and 3 (there are posts making each mile) it gets considerably more rocky, with certain parts very slippery in the rain. The rockier the trail the more impressive the views, however.
After mile three, the trail starts to get very narrow and there are a few precarious spots that are quite difficult to share with a passing bicyclist. Unless your dog is very good about conceding right-of-way, which mine has no concept of, it might be best to keep them on leash in those sections.

The view get better but the trail gets rockier as you head up.

• Words to the Wise: There is no water available at the trailhead, so be sure and bring plenty of your own. Especially if you are hiking when its warm, which I definitely don't recommend, since there is very little shade. I've only hiked this trail in late December, which is probably one of the best times to go other than early spring.