Ogmore-by-Sea & Southerndown

Start your adventure by taking in the atmospheric ruins of Ogmore Castle, just a few minutes before you reach Ogmore-by-Sea beach. Keep an eye out for the local sheep who often wander along the country roads, and if you spot a safe off-road parking area, you can stretch your legs early. Otherwise, head straight for the beach car park (reasonable charges apply).

Once you’re parked, the wide expanse of Ogmore’s golden sands is the perfect place to let off some steam. This is one of the area’s most popular dog-walking beaches, so expect a few friendly encounters if your pup enjoys socialising. Looking out to sea, you’ll spot the dunes of Merthyr Mawr and Porthcawl to your right, separated from Ogmore by a deceptively deep estuary (see our top tips below). Head left instead, following the coastline as far as the tide will allow before climbing up over the rocks to join the coastal path.

The route soon rises via a short but steep set of cobbled steps, and before long you’ll be rewarded with some of the best views in South Wales. Keep close to the wall at the top and make sure your dog’s recall is solid, as the clifftop edges can drop away steeply. Within about 10 minutes, you’ll reach West Farm, Southerndown – the halfway point between the two beaches and an ideal pit stop for a coffee, snack, or something stronger. The café here warmly welcomes dogs and even offers tasty treats and ice cream for your four-legged walking buddy.

To continue, turn left out of West Farm and follow the path along the coastline for another kilometre until you reach the Southerndown car park. Carry on through and you’ll begin to descend towards Dunraven Bay – smaller and more pebbly than Ogmore, but full of exciting scents, splashy rock pools and plenty to explore. You can even wander up to the remains of Dunraven Castle, built in the early 1800s, for a dose of history with your sea air.

When you’ve had your fill of exploring, simply retrace your steps back towards Ogmore. And if you’ve worked up an appetite, don’t miss a visit to the dog-friendly Three Golden Cups pub in Southerndown – it’s only a short detour from the coastal path and a great way to round off the walk.

Dogs will love this walk from Ogmore-by-Sea to Southerndown, with miles of sandy beach to sprint across and trails to explore. There’s even a dog friendly café en route and plenty of fresh sea air to enjoy. Keep leads handy near the estuary and clifftops, but otherwise it’s tail-wagging freedom from start to finish.

Off-road spots are sometimes available, but the main beach car park offers plenty of space to start your adventure. Charges apply.