Eleven of the most scenic dog walks in the UK
follow our lead and enjoy an adventure on four paws
If you’re looking for somewhere new to explore with your four-legged friend, this isn’t just another roundup. Every walk on this list has been personally experienced and recommended by our team of roving reporters (and their own dogs!).
We’ve sniffed out the UK’s most scenic dog walks just for you. From mountain trails and dog-friendly beaches to Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and stunning waterfalls, there’s a route for every pup and all abilities. Pack a picnic, put on your boots, grab that lead, and discover the best dog walks on your doorstep and beyond.
1. Steall Falls
A visit to Scotland’s second-highest waterfall, Steall Falls, will take your breath away. With a single drop cascade of 120 metres, this waterfall was formed by two different glaciers melting and eroding the rockface during Scotland’s Ice Age over 10,000 years ago. At 2.5 miles round trip, this is a fairly short walk for a big reward and is widely recognised as one of Scotland’s best short walks. The route takes you through a dramatic gorge before opening out into Steall Meadows, with views ahead to the spectacular waterfall.
What’s nearby?
After your walk at Steall Falls, we highly recommend heading to the Highland Soap Company Visitor Centre in nearby Fort William. Visitors are very welcome to bring four-legged friends to enjoy a delicious seasonal lunch in the Larder Café before browsing the shop with a vast array of soaps, gifts, food, drink and homewares. It’s the perfect place to pick up a souvenir.
2. Budle Bay
If you ask us, there’s nowhere in the world quite like the Northumberland Coast, or the ‘Castle Coast’ as it is sometimes called. Sweeping stretches of pristine sand and crumbling castles are the order of the day here, and you can experience the best of it all at Budle Bay. One of Northumberland’s best kept secrets: while you might run into a few other people at Bamburgh or Druridge Bay these days, chances are you’ll have Budle Bay almost entirely to yourself.
What’s nearby?
The coastline here may be known as the Castle Coast, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t any castles worth a visit if you head inland. Norham Castle, straddling the border with Scotland, has been besieged no less than 13 times throughout its history. It finally fell to Scottish cannons in 1513, but there’s still enough castle left to be able to imagine it standing tall and proud over the river Tweed.
3. Robin Hood’s Bay
This is a beautiful walk for dog owners visiting Robin Hood’s Bay, a picturesque fishing village in North Yorkshire infamous for its role in the smuggling trade between 1700 and 1850. It takes you all along the coast to Ravenscar – and then back. A little over six miles in total, it’s the perfect morning or afternoon walk to wear out little paws while taking in the stunning views across the countryside to the sea beyond.
What’s nearby?
For lengthier walks and bigger adventures, you can pick up two famous trails on this walk: the Cinder Track and the full Cleveland Way. Alternatively, Robin Hood’s Bay is a great place to spend time enjoying the beach, shops and cafés. It can be busy during peak times in the village itself, so if you want to explore all that it has to offer and can go during the week or off season, do so.
4. Loughrigg Fell & Rydal Cave
If there was one walk we could choose to give you a perfect flavour of the Lake District, this jaunt up to Loughrigg Fell and Rydal Cave would be it. With fells, lake views, swimming spots and an impressive cave on the list of things to explore, this varied walk ticks all the boxes and is one of the best scenic dog walks in the UK. If you have time, the Copper Pot in Ambleside is well worth a visit post-walk. It’s such a lovely cosy little place with an open fire and delicious food.
What’s nearby?
While in the area, head to Grasmere Gingerbread. Although dogs aren’t allowed in the tiny shop, we promise it’s worth a visit to pick up some gingerbread. Pop over the road to Heidi’s of Grasmere for a cream tea afterwards and get your dog’s polaroid taken for their doggie wall of fame. Your pooch might even win the coveted title of ‘doggie of the day’ and take home their very own winning bandana.
5. The Roaches & Lud’s Church
This 2 and a half /3 hour loop starts with a short (but not too steep) climb through woodland up onto a ridge offering 360 degrees of incredible views over the Peak District. With beautiful rock formations and the mysterious Doxey Pool (which a mermaid is rumoured to call home, would you believe), it’s the perfect place to admire the autumnal landscape before heading on to the stunning Lud’s Church.
What’s nearby?
The Peak District National Park is one big playground for pups. The Stepping Stones at Dovedale are a favourite dog friendly destination of ours and we love the National Trust walk that starts at Ilam Park and ends at the The River Dove at the base of Thorpe Cloud. It’s three miles there and back so perfect for a comfortable walk with your four-legged friend with lots to see and sniff along the way.
6. Moel Famau
Boasting scenic landscapes, spectacular summits and pretty towns and villages from Prestatyn to Llangollen, The Clwydian Range – one of Wales’ five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty – is a dog owner’s dream day out. There are so many beautiful trails that you can follow but the Jubilee Tower Circular Trail to the top of Moel Famau (‘Mother Mountain’ in English) is definitely a favourite – and not just because we can see it from the Dog Friendly Destinations’ office.
What’s nearby?
Loggerheads Country Park, a five minute drive away from Moel Famau, is the perfect dog friendly destination for escaping into nature. It sits below the dramatic limestone cliffs of the Alyn Valley with wooded gorges and secluded grasslands in abundance. There are a few different trails to choose from, ranging in length and difficulty. Pack a towel if you have a pup that likes to paddle as the River Alyn flows through the park and is very tempting on a sunny day.
7. The Long Mynd
Nestled on the England/Wales border, the Shropshire Hills, although officially an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, are in our opinion, a hugely underappreciated part of the UK. With almost 7 miles of heathland plateau, wild ponies, rocky climbs, incredible views and wild swimming spots, we think the Long Mynd is a perfect introduction to all that the Shropshire Hills has to offer and one of the most scenic dog walks in the UK.
What’s nearby?
If you’ve got a head for heights, take a drive up the Bur Way from Church Stretton, a treacherously steep and narrow road that snakes up to the vast plateau of the Long Mynd. There are plenty of parking spots up on the top to get out and take a stroll amongst the heather with your pooch. This road also avoids the steep walk up from the bottom of the valley. It’s a designated dark sky discovery site, with views of the Milky Way on clear nights.
8. Broadway Tower
Broadway Tower is a folly atop Broadway Hill, and the second highest point of the Cotswolds – you can see up to sixteen counties from the top of the tower on a clear day. It’s also set within a 50 acre estate of parkland and is conveniently located on the Cotswold Way walking route. The park is such a great place for an outing with your dog and there’s even agility obstacles for your four-legged friend to attempt.
What’s nearby?
Following your walk, head into Broadway itself. It’s positively idyllic with the most picture perfect high street. Amble down the tree-lined street and admire the stone cottages before popping to the The Lygon Arms for lunch. Weather permitting, ask for a table in the courtyard, although dogs are very welcome indoors too apart from in the Lygon Bar and Grill.
9. Pen y Fan
While Cribyn, Fan y Big and Corn Du may not be familiar to you, Pen y Fan is one of the most popular walks in the Brecon Beacons, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s perfect for beginners who might not yet feel fully confident out on the hills: the path to the summit starts by the car park and navigation is straight forward all the way to the top, with nothing technical to worry about.
What’s nearby?
While Pen y Fan is one of the most popular peaks in the Brecon Beacons, there are plenty of other mountains with fantastic views if you’re after a slightly quieter walk. Head to Sugar Loaf near Abergavenny for a relatively short mountain walk, with views which almost make you feel like you’ve cheated by not climbing an extra hundred metres. Don’t miss the chance to visit the twisting trees of St. Mary’s Vale while you’re here. This enchanting woodland is straight from the pages of a fairytale.
10. Whitsand Bay
Backed by dramatic cliffs dotted with quirky huts, Whitsand Bay stretches all the way from Portwrinkle in the west to Rame Head in the east. This stunning and wild stretch of coastline is made up of several sandy beaches including Portwrinkle, Tregantle, Tregonhawke, Freathy and Polhawn. At low tide, all of these beaches join together to become one huge four-mile expanse of sand for dogs to run free on. And yes, it’s dog friendly all year round with no seasonal restrictions.
What’s nearby?
Much of the Rame Peninsula is part of the Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, which covers over 865 acres and was the earliest landscaped park in Cornwall. Here, you and your dog can enjoy open parkland and ancient woodland. There’s also but formal gardens awash with colour from spring to autumn.
11. Polly Joke Beach
Polly Joke Beach is a beautiful dog friendly cove located just beyond the West Pentire Headland in between Crantock and Holywell bays on the north coast of Cornwall. Far enough away from Newquay’s main beaches to attract fewer visitors and with an abundance of wildlife, wildflowers, caves and rock pools to explore, it’s a firm favourite with dog-loving locals. An amble along the nearby coastal path will afford you sightings of seals, swifts and skylarks on the beach and the surrounding headlands making it one of the most scenic dog walks in Cornwall, if not the UK.
What’s nearby?
Pentire Head is the best of Cornwall all wrapped up in one glorious headland on the county’s north coast. It is a must-visit for any lover of the British countryside. Adventurers will find miles of footpaths and idyllic beaches with turquoise waters worthy of the Mediterranean. If you and your dog would prefer a longer hike, try walking all the way from Newquay – just make sure the tide is out at The Gannel Estuary before you start. Or perhaps walk over to Holywell or even onto Perranporth if you want to explore a little more of this beautiful coastline.
