Hydraulic valves (100) for dampening pressure spikes and associated methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a hydraulic valve (100) for dampening pressure spikes includes a valve body (1), a poppet (2) at least partially inside the valve body (1), and a pilot piston (3) at least partially inside the valve body (1) and away from the poppet (2). The pilot piston (3) contacts the poppet (2) in response to a pressure spike.