There are dog walks, and then there are dog walks.
The first kind involves going around the usual block while your dog investigates the exact same lamppost they investigated yesterday.
The second involves proper scenery. Cliffs, mountains, lakes, forests and the occasional view that makes you stop walking altogether.
We’ve picked some of the most beautiful dog walks from across the UK, with Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and plenty of England represented. Some are easy wanders. Others require decent boots, a packed lunch and a dog with more energy than you.
Camera roll space is also recommended.
Best for: Dramatic cliffs and huge sea views
If your idea of a good walk involves sea air and scenery that looks like it belongs on a postcard, the Seven Sisters takes some beating.
The famous white chalk cliffs stretch along one of the longest areas of undeveloped coastline on England’s south coast. From Birling Gap, you can explore the surrounding downland, head towards the cliffs or tackle one of the longer routes across the South Downs.
The National Trust’s Between the South Downs and the Sea circular walk covers 4.5 miles and crosses three of the Seven Sisters, with meadows and woodland thrown in too.
Dogs are welcome, but this is definitely one for the lead near the cliff edge. Livestock and wildlife also mean you’ll need to keep your dog under close control.
And no, your dog’s judgement of what constitutes “too close to the edge” should not be trusted.
Distance: Around 4.5 miles for the circular route
Allow: Around 3.5 hours
Dog note: Keep dogs on leads around livestock, wildlife and cliff edges.
Best for: Lochs, mountains and proper Scottish scenery
Scotland has an unfair advantage when you’re compiling a list of beautiful walks.
Loch Ard Forest sits within Queen Elizabeth Forest Park in the Trossachs, an area packed with lochs, woodland and mountain views. There are forest roads and trails to explore around Loch Ard and the surrounding landscape, making it a brilliant choice if you want scenery without necessarily climbing a mountain before lunch.
Expect towering trees, glimpses across the water and the sort of peaceful forest tracks where your dog suddenly develops the energy levels of a puppy again.
Forestry and Land Scotland welcomes responsible dog walking across its forests, but dogs should be kept under proper control, particularly around wildlife, livestock and other visitors.
Distance: Various routes available
Dog note: Keep dogs under close control and check current trail information before travelling.
Best for: An easy reservoir loop with big views
For a walk that feels wonderfully removed from everyday life without requiring mountaineering equipment, Swinsty Reservoir is a very good shout.
The three-mile circular route follows the water through the Washburn Valley in the Yorkshire countryside. The paths are consistently wide and well surfaced, with mostly flat terrain and only gentle slopes, so it’s a good option when you want a proper outing without spending the following morning wondering why your calves hurt.
It’s also exactly the sort of place where you’ll take 14 nearly identical photos of your dog staring across the water and insist they’re all completely different.
Yorkshire Water asks visitors to keep dogs on leads, stick to the paths and clean up after them.
Distance: 3 miles
Allow: Around 2 hours
Dog note: Dogs should be kept on a lead.
Best for: Waterfalls, woodland and lake views
It’s difficult to choose one Lake District walk without upsetting the other 847 contenders, but Aira Force makes a convincing case.
The National Trust’s Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park trail is around 4.5 miles and packs an impressive amount into one walk. You’ll head through woodland and past the famous 65-foot Aira Force waterfall before climbing towards far-reaching views across Ullswater.
It’s particularly lovely when the trees and bracken start changing colour, although the combination of waterfall, woodland and lake views means there isn’t really a bad season to visit.
Dogs are very welcome at Aira Force, which has the National Trust’s highest three-pawprint dog-friendly rating. They do need to stay on a lead because of livestock, wildlife and ground-nesting birds.
There are also water bowls around the car park and tea-room, plus dog ice cream in summer.
Frankly, the dog is getting a better day out than you are.
Distance: Around 4.5 miles
Allow: 1.5 to 3 hours
Dog note: Dogs must remain on leads.
Best for: Autumn woodland and River Wye views
This is the one to save for autumn.
Symonds Yat Rock overlooks the River Wye and is surrounded by Forest of Dean woodland that turns into a mixture of gold, orange and red as the seasons change.
There are several walking trails, so you can choose anything from a relatively gentle wander to a longer route through the forest. The viewpoint itself is only a short walk from the car park, which is useful if your definition of a scenic walk occasionally includes “minimal effort, maximum view”.
Dogs are welcome throughout Symonds Yat Rock and the Forest of Dean. Forestry England asks owners to keep them close, in sight and on the official trails to help protect local wildlife.
Distance: Various routes available
Dog note: Dogs are welcome but should remain close, visible and under control.
Best for: Mountains, lakes and ridiculously photogenic scenery
You could probably throw a tennis ball at a map of Eryri and land on a beautiful walk.
The national park has everything from gentle lakeside routes to serious mountain hikes, so the trick is choosing something suitable for both you and your dog.
For a less strenuous day, look towards the wooded valleys and lakes around places such as Betws-y-Coed and the Conwy Valley. If you’re tackling higher ground, conditions can change quickly and some routes involve steep, rocky terrain.
This is also sheep country, so a lead is essential anywhere around livestock.
Whichever route you choose, expect mountains reflected in water, forests disappearing up hillsides and approximately six million opportunities to say “hang on, I just want a photo”.
Distance: Depends on route
Dog note: Keep dogs under close control and always use a lead around livestock. Check local route and weather information before setting out.
Best for: Long woodland walks in the Midlands
Yes, Sherwood. No, we cannot guarantee Robin Hood.
What we can guarantee is a lot of forest.
Sherwood Pines has miles of tracks through pine and broadleaf woodland, with several waymarked routes available. For a longer dog walk, Forestry England recommends the Ranger’s Path, a 4.5-mile route that heads into the quieter outer areas of the forest.
It’s a particularly good choice if your dog loves woodland because there is an almost endless supply of things to sniff. You also get a mixture of mature forest, heathland and quieter tracks away from the busiest areas around the visitor centre.
Dogs are welcome, although Forestry England asks visitors to keep them under control and respect wildlife and other forest users.
Distance: 4.5 miles for the Ranger’s Path
Dog note: Dogs welcome. Keep them under control.
Best for: Huge views without leaving Belfast far behind
One minute you’re near Belfast. The next you’re standing on open mountain looking across the city towards Lough Neagh, the Mourne Mountains and Strangford Lough.
Divis and the Black Mountain is a great example of a walk that feels much more remote than it really is.
The three-mile Summit Trail climbs to Divis Mountain, the highest point in the Belfast Hills. If you want something longer, the 4.2-mile Ridge Trail gives you sweeping views across Belfast and beyond.
Dogs are welcome, but they need to stay on leads. The landscape includes sensitive habitats, ground-nesting birds and grazing cattle, so this isn’t the place for an enthusiastic spaniel to disappear over the horizon.
Distance: 3 miles for the Summit Trail or 4.2 miles for the Ridge Trail
Allow: Up to 1.5 hours for the Summit Trail or around 3 hours for the Ridge Trail
Dog note: Dogs should be kept on leads and visitors should stick to designated paths.
Best for: Streams, shady woodland and dogs that love water
If your dog sees a stream and immediately decides they must be in it, Cardinham Woods could be their idea of heaven.
Just outside Bodmin, the forest spreads across a wooded valley with trails following Cardinham Water through the trees.
The 1.7-mile Lady Vale Walk is the most popular route and follows the river upstream towards Lady Vale Bridge. Forestry England even points out that there are plenty of places along the way for dogs to have a dip.
There are five waymarked trails altogether, ranging from easy woodland walks to more energetic routes up the valley sides.
And after a muddy woodland adventure, there is even a self-service dog wash near the toilets.
Someone has thought this through.
Distance: 1.7 miles for the Lady Vale Walk, with longer routes available
Dog note: Dogs are welcome. Keep them close and in sight as the woods are surrounded by farmland and wildlife.
Dog access can change throughout the year, particularly around livestock, nesting birds, conservation work and seasonal restrictions.
Before travelling, it’s worth checking the official website for your chosen walk for:
And bring the boring-but-important stuff too. Water, poo bags, a lead, appropriate footwear and something to dry a mysteriously soaking wet dog before they get back into the car.
The best dog walks aren’t necessarily the longest.
They’re the ones where you stop because the view is ridiculous. Where your dog finds a stream and has the best five minutes of their week. Where you get home muddy, tired and with 47 new photos on your phone.
Those are the ones worth making a day of.
And if one of those 47 photos turns out to be particularly good, you know where we are.
