The Dog Lover’s Guide to Hiking in the UK by Cottages in Northumberland

As a nation of dog lovers, we’re blessed to live on an island packed with incredible outdoor spaces to enjoy with our four-legged friends. Across the width and breadth of Britain you’ll find deep valleys, challenging peaks, historical landmarks and beautiful beaches just waiting to be explored - making the UK a hiking paradise for both dogs and their owners. In today’s article, we’ll be taking you through five of our favourite UK walks to enjoy with your dog, so you can get excited about planning your summer hiking adventure.

Hiking along Hadrian’s Wall

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and legendary landmark in its own right, Hadrian’s Wall is a colossal 84-mile stretch of wall spanning from coast to coast across Northern England. Built by our Roman predecessors to keep the troublesome Scots at bay, Hadrian’s Wall is almost entirely walkable and is perfect for enjoying a cloud free day out this summer.

Along the wall you’ll find plenty of places to stop off, including museums built on ancient fortifications, picture-perfect photo hotspots and welcoming quaint towns - all offering a well-earned rest along the way. Whether you’re up for the challenge of walking the entire length or you’d prefer to tackle a smaller section, both you and your dog are guaranteed a fun day of exploring when you visit this iconic landmark.

Discovering Northumberland’s natural beauty

With some of the best coastal scenery found anywhere around the UK, the Northumberland Coast is renowned for its breath-taking beaches, peaceful towns and rural splendour - making it an ideal location for dog lovers and hikers alike. From the stunning scenery and iconic castles you’ll find around Bamburgh and Holy Island to one of the UK’s most popular waterfalls at High Force, the area is brimming with stunning places to explore with your dog.

There are dozens of small towns nestled in Northumberland, meaning there’s plenty of places to choose from when it comes to settling on a base camp. With dog friendly accommodation available in abundance, including cottages in Alnwick and the surrounding area, you can set up home in the heart of the region before setting off on your adventures.

Exploring the Cornish coastline

There’s a reason almost every image of Cornwall shows its beautiful coastline, and once you’ve experienced it for yourself, you’ll see why! Though the area is known primarily for its seaside views, you’re far from limited if you want to hike here your way around here this summer.

If you’re searching for a shaded hike, venture further inland to find large swathes of woodland - where you’ll find Tehidy Woods, which has 9 miles of paths and 250 acres of woodland. This walk can be incorporated into a longer expedition along the South West Coast Path for an extended stretch of natural Cornish beauty. When walking along the steep cliffs around the area, you should keep your dog on the lead at all times - especially along the northern paths, which are more exposed to the wind.

Marvelling at the views in the Lake District

The Lake District is a natural haven for hikers, offering challenging climbs to the top of some of the tallest mountains in the UK. For those with dogs, the area is rich in dog friendly pubs and picturesque walks. The Rawnsley Trail is one of our favourites for a warm-up walk, with the stunning view at Friar’s Crag, found along the way, described as “one of the best three or four views in the whole of Europe” by the National Trust’s co-founder, Hardwicke Drummond Rawnsley.

For those looking for something a little more challenging, the steeper ascent at Dodd Wood, near Bassenthwaite, is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. With breath-taking views of both Derwent Water and Dumfries and Galloway, you’ll want your camera to hand to snap some shots of the incredible sights.

Combining the beauty of the great outdoors with an adventure for both you and your dog is the perfect way to explore the best of Britain this summer, and with our guide to some of the UK’s best hiking routes, you’ll be spoilt for choice when the Sun comes out.