Dog-Friendly Long-Distance Walking Trails UK

Dog-friendly long-distance walking trails in the UK: six National Trails from the South West Coast Path to the West Highland Way, with lead rules.

Walker on a long-distance trail through the UK countryside
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By Rob Griffiths29 June 2026 · 9 min read

The UK's network of National Trails offers some of the best long-distance dog walking anywhere - hundreds of miles of waymarked path along clifftops, Roman walls and mountain glens, almost all open to dogs. This guide rounds up six of the most rewarding dog-friendly long-distance trails, with the lead rules, terrain and best sections to tackle with a dog, whether you walk a day or the whole thing.

Six dog-friendly long-distance trails across the UK

Can you walk National Trails with a dog?

Yes - National Trails (a network of long-distance paths in England and Wales, with Scotland's Great Trails as the equivalent) are public rights of way and open to dogs along almost their entire length. The catch is that they cross a constant mix of open access land, farmland and nature reserves, each with its own rules.

The two that matter most: dogs must be on a lead near grazing livestock at any time of year, and on a lead of two metres or less from 1 March to 31 July on mapped access land to protect ground-nesting birds - the national rule on gov.uk's right-to-roam guidance. Route detail and closures for each path are on the official National Trails site. For multi-day walks, the real work is logistics - booking dog-friendly accommodation and planning water and rest stops.

Explore by region

COAST

Coast paths

The South West Coast Path's cliffs and coves.

UPLAND

Hills & moors

Pennine Way and the West Highland Way.

HERITAGE

History trails

Hadrian's Wall and Offa's Dyke.

SOUTH WEST · 630 MILES

South West Coast Path Editor's pick

England's longest National Trail, around the whole South West peninsula

  • Coastal scenery
  • Day or multi-day
  • Dog-friendly pubs
5.0 / 5
  • Dog policy Open; lead near stock
  • Length 630 miles
  • Terrain Clifftop, undulating
  • Best season Spring & autumn
The South West Coast Path runs 630 miles from Minehead in Somerset around Devon, Cornwall and Dorset to Poole - the longest National Trail in England and a dog walker's dream of cliffs, coves and harbour villages. You can walk a two-hour stretch or the whole thing over weeks; the dog-friendly pubs and cottages along the way are part of the appeal. Dogs are welcome along the path, on a lead near the clifftop sheep and cattle you will regularly meet. Watch the cliff edges with excitable dogs, and note that the beaches the path passes often carry summer dog bans even where the path itself does not. Carry plenty of water on the exposed Cornish sections.

What we liked

  • World-class coastal scenery
  • Walkable in short sections
  • Endless dog-friendly pubs

Watch out for

  • Cliff edges need care
  • Summer bans on linked beaches
  • Strenuous up-and-down

630 miles of cliffs, coves and dog-friendly pubs - the finest coastal dog walking in England.

NORTHERN ENGLAND · 268 MILES

Pennine Way

Britain's original long-distance path along the high spine

  • Wild moorland
  • Experienced walkers
  • Solitude
4.5 / 5
  • Dog policy Lead on moor & near stock
  • Length 268 miles
  • Terrain High moorland, boggy
  • Best season Summer (drier)
The Pennine Way, opened in 1965 as Britain's first National Trail, runs 268 miles from Edale in the Peak District to Kirk Yetholm over the high backbone of England. It is wild, remote and demanding - much of it crosses open access moorland with few easy escape routes, so it suits fit dogs and prepared owners. Because so much is access land, dogs must be on a short lead from 1 March to 31 July for ground-nesting birds, and on a lead near the hill sheep throughout. The peat bogs can be tough on paws and the weather turns fast; this is one to tackle in good conditions with a hardy dog.

What we liked

  • True wilderness walking
  • Iconic landmarks (Malham, High Cup)
  • Quiet and remote

Watch out for

  • Boggy, paw-testing ground
  • Lead required across the moors
  • Exposed and committing

NORTHERN ENGLAND · 84 MILES

Hadrian's Wall Path

Coast-to-coast along the Roman frontier

  • History
  • Manageable thru-hike
  • Mixed terrain
4.5 / 5
  • Dog policy Lead near stock & forts
  • Length 84 miles
  • Feature Roman wall & forts
  • Best season Spring to autumn
Hadrian's Wall Path crosses northern England for 84 miles from Wallsend on the Tyne to Bowness-on-Solway, following the line of the Roman frontier. The dramatic central section over the crags - past forts like Housesteads and Sycamore Gap - is the highlight, and the whole trail is achievable as a week-long dog-friendly thru-hike. Most of the route runs through working farmland, so dogs need to be on a lead near livestock, and a path-preservation request asks walkers to avoid the boggy ground beside the wall in winter. The Roman fort sites are managed separately and may restrict dogs indoors, but the path past them is open.

What we liked

  • Walkable in a week
  • Spectacular Roman history
  • Good dog-friendly infrastructure

Watch out for

  • Lead needed through farmland
  • Exposed central crags
  • Some fort interiors exclude dogs

WALES-ENGLAND BORDER · 177 MILES

Offa's Dyke Path

The length of the Welsh border, hills and history

  • Border scenery
  • Quieter thru-hike
  • History
4.0 / 5
  • Dog policy Lead near stock
  • Length 177 miles
  • Terrain Rolling hills & farmland
  • Best season Late spring to autumn
Offa's Dyke Path follows the England-Wales border for 177 miles from Sepulchre on the Severn estuary to Prestatyn on the North Wales coast, shadowing the 8th-century earthwork built by King Offa of Mercia. It is gentler and far quieter than the Pennine Way, rolling through the Marches, the Black Mountains edge and the Clwydian hills. The route is heavily agricultural, crossing countless stiles and grazing fields, so a lead near livestock is essential and a dog comfortable with stiles helps. It is a rewarding, low-key thru-hike with good dog-friendly pubs in the border towns.

What we liked

  • Quiet, varied border country
  • Gentler than the high moors
  • Welcoming border-town pubs

Watch out for

  • Endless stiles and field crossings
  • Lead needed near stock
  • Navigation needs attention

COTSWOLDS · 102 MILES

Cotswold Way

The escarpment edge from Chipping Campden to Bath

  • Gentle scenery
  • First thru-hike
  • Pretty villages
4.0 / 5
  • Dog policy Lead near stock
  • Length 102 miles
  • Terrain Escarpment & farmland
  • Best season Spring to autumn
The Cotswold Way runs 102 miles along the western escarpment of the Cotswolds from Chipping Campden to the city of Bath, threading honey-stone villages, beech woods and big views over the Severn Vale. It is one of the most approachable National Trails for a first multi-day walk with a dog - well-waymarked, never too remote, and richly supplied with dog-friendly pubs. The path crosses sheep pasture and arable land, so leads go on near livestock, and the escarpment commons can have grazing too. Villages along the way make natural overnight stops with dog-welcoming inns.

What we liked

  • Approachable and well-marked
  • Beautiful villages and views
  • Excellent dog-friendly pubs

Watch out for

  • Lead needed across pasture
  • Busy near honeypot villages
  • Some steep escarpment climbs

SCOTLAND · 96 MILES

West Highland Way

Scotland's most popular trail, lowlands to the Highlands

  • Highland scenery
  • Classic thru-hike
  • Lochs & glens
4.5 / 5
  • Dog policy Lead near stock; lambing care
  • Length 96 miles
  • Terrain Loch shore to mountain
  • Best season May-Sep (pre/post midge)
The West Highland Way runs 96 miles from Milngavie near Glasgow to Fort William, carrying walkers from the Lowlands along Loch Lomond and across Rannoch Moor into the Highlands - Scotland's most popular long-distance route. Scotland's access rights are more generous than England's, but responsible-access rules still apply. Dogs must be kept under close control and on a lead near sheep, with extra care during the spring lambing season when some estates ask dogs be kept off certain ground. Midges are fierce from June to August, so late spring and early autumn are kindest for dogs. The scenery - especially across Rannoch Moor and beneath the Glen Coe peaks - is unmatched.

What we liked

  • Spectacular Highland scenery
  • Well-served with dog-friendly stops
  • Generous Scottish access rights

Watch out for

  • Midges in high summer
  • Lambing-season restrictions
  • Long, committing days

Do dogs need a lead on long-distance trails?

Often, yes. While the paths themselves are open to dogs, they cross grazing land where a lead is required near livestock all year, and mapped access land where dogs must be on a short lead from 1 March to 31 July for ground-nesting birds. In Scotland, the Outdoor Access Code asks for close control and extra care during lambing.

Beyond the legal rules, long-distance walking with a dog is a fitness and logistics challenge: build the dog's mileage up gradually, protect paws on rough or hot ground, carry plenty of water, and book dog-friendly accommodation well ahead. Official route status and diversions are on nationaltrail.co.uk.

Tips for long-distance trails with a dog

Build mileage gradually

Condition your dog over weeks before attempting big daily distances.

Protect paws on rough ground

Pennine peat, Cotswold flint and hot tarmac all take a toll - check pads daily.

Book dog-friendly stays early

Trail-town accommodation that takes dogs fills fast in season.

Carry more water than you think

Exposed coast and moor sections have few reliable water sources.

Time around lambing and midges

Spring lambing means lead restrictions; Scottish midges peak June-August.

Frequently asked questions

Q01Which UK long-distance trail is best with a dog?
The South West Coast Path is the most rewarding for most dog owners - 630 miles of coast you can sample in short sections, with abundant dog-friendly pubs. The Cotswold Way is the easiest first thru-hike.
Q02Are dogs allowed on the West Highland Way?
Yes. Scotland's access rights allow dogs under close control on the West Highland Way, on a lead near sheep and with extra care during spring lambing. Avoid June-August if your dog suffers in the midges.
Q03Do I need to keep my dog on a lead on National Trails?
On a lead near livestock at all times, and on a short lead from 1 March to 31 July on access-land and moorland sections to protect ground-nesting birds. Elsewhere, close control is usually fine.
Q04Can a dog walk a whole National Trail?
A fit, well-conditioned dog can complete multi-day trails, but build mileage gradually, protect paws, carry water, and plan dog-friendly accommodation in advance. Many owners walk sections rather than the whole route.

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