Wales is a paradise for hikers and dog owners thanks to its extensive cultural heritage and stunning natural diversity. In this small but bright country, you can find breathtaking landscapes that feel like they were plucked from a fairytale at any turn.
Here are 15 of our favourite dog-friendly hikes in Wales to share with you and your four-legged friend. We had a hard time narrowing it down to just those few treks, despite there being so many options.
You and Fido will soon be exploring local lore, scaling towering peaks, meandering through pristine jungles, and strolling along some of Britain’s best coastlines.
Walks in the country and parks
Dyke of Offa
You could travel the length of this historic monument with your dog if you wanted to spend several days on foot exploring the area. The 177-mile length of Offa’s Dyke serves as an approximate delineation of the border between England and Wales.
Those with only a day to hike can choose a specific segment of the trail and either walk there and back in one day or make their own loop. There’s lots to “offa” at both the southern and northern ends of the path. The southern end is more relaxed and features peaceful views, while the northern end features more stunning landscapes. Hatterall Ridge is a favourite among hikers for a day trip.
If you start in Capel-y-Ffin, you can make a loop that takes in the peak and the ruins of Llanthony Priory. You and the dog can enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scenery no matter where you go. This long journey could be broken up with a lunch at the Half Moon Inn in Llanthony.
Mileage Covered: 17.5K
Moderate to Challenging in Difficulty
Capel-y-Ffin is where we’ll begin.
Uneven and trail-like ground, hills, and fields.
Parking is free?
Postal Code: NP7 7NP Address: Capel-y-Ffin, Abergavenny
Abbey of Tintern
Tintern Abbey is a beautiful ruin and a worthwhile historical site to see regardless of whether or not you have a dog. Even now, visitors can see the abbey in all its splendour. Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries resulted in the destruction of this Gothic masterpiece.
The location is not only beautiful to look at, but also offers excellent hiking opportunities. Getting to the Devil’s Pulpit is probably the most pup-ular walk. Offa’s Dyke and the Devil’s Pulpit are located in the woods along a path that begins at the abbey and follows the river before entering the forest proper. The little outcrop, from which the view of the abbey is breathtaking, lives up to its name. According to myth, this is where the devil preached to the monks, seeking to convince them to abandon their religious calling.
The abbey has many amenities, such as a picnic area, café, and gift shop. The abbey is the common thread among these three circular treks, all of which begin and end at the Anchor Inn.
Distance of a 5K Hike
Effort Level: Low
Tintern Abbey is the point of departure.
Lawns are flat and even, while trails, hills, and fields are not.
Parking is free?
Tintern Abbey, Postal Code: NP16 6SE
The Wye Valley, from Chepstow to Monmouth.
As an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Wye Valley is plenty of great places to take your dog for a stroll, and you can rest assured that everywhere you go, you’ll be surrounded by breathtaking scenery. The route from Chepstow to Monmouth is not just a beautiful part of the valley, but also one of the best dog walks in Wales because it follows a section of Offa’s Dyke. The majority of the way from here to Monmouth is through wooded trails that trace the course of the Wye River through the valley.
Starting from Chepstow station, you may walk to Monmouth and either spend the night there or take the bus back. Tintern, one of the numerous villages you’ll pass through or that are close by on this long walk, has its own set of amenities, as do the towns at either end of the path. There, you and your dog would be welcome to take a diversion to the ruins of the nearby monastery.
Distance of Walk: 27.5 km
Modest in its difficulty
Chepstow is the starting point.
Trails, wooded, hilly, and uneven terrain.
Disappointingly, no.
Chepstow Post Office Box 16 5PD
Hiking in the Woods
Valley of Tywi
This valley is carved out by the river Tywi (sometimes spelt Towy) and ends in the beautiful Llyn Brianne reservoir. This trail allows you and Fido to enjoy a long, unrestricted stroll through the valley’s forested interior before descending to the river’s edge. Next, you’ll return to the starting point by following the river downstream. If you’d rather cut your walk short, you can always stick to the reservoir’s shores; just make sure to locate the “beach” area so Fido may cool off in the water.
Although there are no conveniences, the scenery is spectacular. The river winds its way through the hills in a picturesque valley. Meanwhile, your dog gets to go on a lengthy off-lead walk around the woods and meadows, and even take a dip in the water if they’d like. The Trout Inn in Llanwrtyd Wells or The Royal Oak in Llandovery are good places to stop for refreshments afterward.
Distance of 16 kilometres
Effort Level: Low
Abergwesyn Common or Llyn Brianne are good places to begin.
Trails, wooded areas, inclines, and uneven ground.
Parking is free?
LD5 4TW (roughly) is the zip code for Llanwrtyd Wells.
Felinrhyd and Llennyrch Beaches
The Coed Felenrhyd & Llennyrch forests in Snowdonia are one of the few surviving examples of Atlantic Oak Woodland, a temperate rainforest, so there’s no need to travel all the way to the Amazon to experience one.
The untamed woodland, river, waterfalls, pools, and hills will fascinate your dog just as much as they do you. The Rhinog Mountains can be seen in the distance to the south of this Celtic rainforest. Meanwhile, up north, Snowdon provides breathtaking panoramas. The Ceunant Llennyrch National Nature Reserve includes far more land than just this small patch of trees.
Park on the layby next to the A469, then follow the Woodland Trust sign into the woods. You can go up to the waterfall on this circular trek through the 10,000-year-old forest. You’ll need to go a little distance to reach the nearest services. However, Miffordd, where many conveniences and one of the best dog walks in Wales (the Minffordd route) begin, is only a short distance away.
Distance of a 4K Hike
Modest in its difficulty
The Woodland Trust Path’s Beginning
Trails, wooded areas, inclines, and uneven ground.
Parking is free?
Postal Code and Address: LL41 4HY Coed Felenrhyd, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd
The Afan Woods
Gwydyr Forest Park, like many of Wales’ other large woods, is located close to Snowdonia. However, as we already have a few hikes in that area, we chose to go to Afan Forest Park. From Swansea and Cardiff, it takes around an hour, while from Port Talbot, it takes less than half an hour. The forest is stunningly attractive, drawing in hikers and cyclists who want to test their stamina and ability on the woodland’s many pathways.
You and your canine companion can choose from five different trails that have been plotted out for you. However, you could also just follow your nose, if you so choose. Anyone of any age or physical condition can enjoy a walk here, albeit they’ll need to be strategic about it. The forest offers a wide variety of walks, from quick strolls to longer treks up the hills. You and Fido will have a blast no matter where you go. After a brisk stroll through the woods has cleared your head, “pup” into Cedars Cafe for a bite to eat.
Distance of Walks varies
Level of Difficulty: Low to Medium
The Visitor Centre is the First Stop.
Trails, woods, flat, and sloping terrain.
Disappointingly, no.
Cynonville, Port Talbot, SA13 3HG is the location of the Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre.
Waterfront strolls
Cemetery of Gelert
While not the longest or most difficult hike in Snowdonia, the scenery and focal point make it a must for anybody with a dog or an interest in mythology. Your journey to the famous grave will begin in Beddgelert, where you can enjoy a stroll along the river’s edge.
Who is this Gelert, you may be asking? Was he a valiant squire, a holy martyr? The latter is actually not too far off.
Gelert was Llewellyn the Great’s trusty hound. Llewellyn thought his son had been mauled by the dog when he discovered it covered in blood and his son nowhere to be found. Instead of attacking the boy, the dog killed the wolf that was threatening him. Llewellyn buried his dog and felt such guilt over killing him that he never laughed again, even after the baby was found safe and sound. A stone slab beside the cemetery tells the story, and a statue of the dog stands guard outside the adjoining “ruin,” looking in to see who has come to pay their respects.
The tragic story is a mainstay of Welsh mythology and has influenced several works of fiction, including a scene in The Lady and the Tramp. But that’s not all: towards the end of your trek, you’ll find a picnic area dedicated to Alfred Bestall, the artist who brought Rupert the Bear to life. Visit The Saracens Head or The Prince Llewelyn Hotel for a drink in honour of the gallant dog and your own loyal animal pet.
Distance Walked: 1.6Km
Effort Level: Low
The Beginning is at the footbridge.
Paths on a level, even surface.
Parking is free?
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, which includes the St. David’s peninsula.
If you’re looking for a great area to take your dog for a stroll in Wales, consider the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. It comprises one-third of the county and is renowned for its rugged beauty and spectacular coastline. You and Fido may go on a number of fantastic hikes together, like this one along St. David’s Peninsula. It travels through routes once used by ancient saints and offers breathtaking vistas. Try some of our recommended dog-walking routes in Pembrokeshire if you’re looking to get out and about more often.
St. David’s, the smallest city in the United Kingdom, is within walking distance, so you may explore the area where Wales’ patron saint was born and raised. The peninsula’s unique history, craggy cliffs, white sand beaches, and rich and varied wildlife make it one of the best treks in all of Wales.
Starting in the city, this trek takes you to Ramsey Sounds, where you might potentially spot dolphin and porpoise groups riding the tide. Whitesand Bay, from which St. Patrick is reputed to have sailed to Ireland, is just one of many stunning beaches in the area.
When you get back to town, you may choose from a wide variety of pet-friendly restaurants, such as the Oriel Y Parc Cafe and The Bishops bar.
Distance of 15 km Walk
Modest in its difficulty
We’ll kick things off at Cross Square.
Trails, even ground, highways, hills, and fields are all types of terrain.
Seasonal Free Parking
St. Davids, Cross Square, SA62 6SE
the bay of Rhossili
Rhossili Bay’s three miles of pristine beach are a sight to behold from the headland and great for a stroll along the water’s edge with Fido. The purple and gold hues of the heather and gorse in full bloom in the summer add beauty to the headlands that frame the beach.
Rhossili Bay is consistently ranked as one of the top beaches in the United Kingdom, and it was even named Europe’s best beach in 2017. This trail is consistently ranked as one of the best in Britain. With recommendations like those, you know it’s going to be a wonderful day out, deserving of its reputation as one of the greatest dog walks in Wales.
Play in the sand and waves for as long as you like with your dog, or include a stop at this beautiful beach on your stroll nearby. This path offers a pleasant stroll around the headland and beach, or you might go for a longer, more strenuous hike into the hills and along the shore.
There are lots of conveniences close by, such as restrooms and a pub outside the parking lot, as well as a grocery store and a cafe in the neighbouring village.
Trip Distance: 5.6Km
Modest in its difficulty
The National Trust Gift Shop is Our First Stop.
Trails, hills, beaches, even ground, and flat sand or sand dunes all qualify as terrain.
Disappointingly, no.
Postal code: Rhossili, Swansea SA3 1PR
A Hike to Four Waterfalls
The “Waterfall Country” is a stunning region in Wales, and while there are other hiking routes through the region, we recommend the Four Waterfalls Walk. This lovely forest hike takes you to not one but four distinct waterfalls. The waterfalls and surrounding surroundings do indeed feel like you’ve stepped into a storybook, and there’s even a myth that an entry to the fairy kingdom may be found along the Elidir Trail. However, this beautiful scenery isn’t what often comes to mind when you think of a hike in the Brecon Beacons.
It wasn’t simply that this walk is breathtakingly beautiful, kid-friendly, and dog-friendly (they can be off leash the entire time) that swayed us to choose this path. One of the highlights of this trek is the opportunity to stroll behind a waterfall, making it really one of a kind. Being able to stand behind a waterfall and observe it from a whole different vantage point is an incredible experience, and makes you feel like a mythical hero.
Trip Distance: 5.6Km
Modest in its difficulty
Parking lot in Cwm Porth is the starting point.
Uneven and trail-like ground.
Disappointingly, no.
Cwm Porth, Ystradfellte, Aberdare, CF44 9JF is the location in question.
Heritage coast of Glamorgan
The label of “heritage coast” is reserved for those coastlines that are both aesthetically pleasing and ecologically significant. The trail along the coast of Glamorgan is like an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, but at sea level.
The shoreline between Aberthaw and Porthcawl, a distance of 14 miles, is a great place to take your dog for a stroll. You can walk the entire coastline in a day if it is that length. The cliffs at Traeth Mawr are a particular highlight of this hike’s breathtaking surroundings. Peregrine falcons and choughs call the stacked stones home, and they are unusual and beautiful in their own right.
Several dog-friendly beaches are conveniently located along this route, adding to its overall appeal. Dunraven Gardens and the Nash Point Lighthouse are also worth a diversion. It’s little surprise, given the area’s natural beauty and proximity to Cardiff, that multiple episodes of Doctor Who have filmed there. There are several convenient rest spots along the way or a short diversion from the trail, such as The Blue Anchor, The Swan, and The Plough & Harrow.
Length of Walk: 22.5Km
Modest in its difficulty
Aberthaw is the first location.
Uneven, trail-like, and field-like terrain.
Parking is free?
Barry, California CF62 3DD East Aberthaw, Rhoose
Aw, crap!
The name may ring a bell if gin is your drink of choice. The magnificent Aber Falls may be found just outside of Abergwyngregyn, winding its way down a forested slope. This is a great walk for families and dogs, as it is a short distance and offers a nice view of the falls at the finish. As long as you keep a firm grip on your dog at all times, they can walk alongside you without a leash. It is preferable to keep your dog on a leash until you are certain there are no horses or other animals in the area.
The gravel route is simple to navigate, and while it does feature a few steps, they are easily sidestepped. You and Fido can hike further into the valley on a loop that includes a visit to the waterfall. The canine is more than welcome at Caffi Hen Felin, which may be reached via either way. If you don’t want to bring your dog along, you can start and conclude your stroll at the Aber Falls cafe.
Trip Distance: 4.22 Kilometres
Effort Level: Low
The parking lot at Aber Falls.
Trails, fields, woods, and even gravel all make up the landscape.
Disappointingly, no.
LL33 0LP Abergwyngregyn, Wales
Climbing Hills
Snowdon
Snowdonia National Park is home to many of excellent hiking trails, but none compare to the ascent of Snowdon. As the highest peak in the British Isles outside of Scotland, you and your canine companion will need to be in top physical and mental condition to reach the peak. Any dog in even moderate physical condition should do OK. One of the easier routes should be used, and you should be prepared to help them over rocks. This will be a thrilling walk for active people and dogs who love an adventure.
The Llanberis trail, sometimes known as the “pony path,” is the longest route to the summit but has the shortest ascent and is the least steep. This is the route most people choose while hiking up Snowdon for the first time, and it takes a full day to do the round trip. Luckily, there are accommodations in Llanberis that allow pets, and The Heights pub will have room for you and Fido.
Distance of 14.5 kilometres
Complexity: Strenuous
The Llanberis train station is our first stop.
Trails, hills, and an irregular landscape.
Disappointingly, no.
It is located at Llanberis, Caernarfon, LL55 4TT.
a peak in the Brecon Beacons known as Sugarloaf.
The Brecon Beacons must be mentioned at some point because it is the site of some of the best hiking and dog-walking in all of Wales. Many of the peaks are not as difficult to scale as you might think they would be given their height and weight. This makes them perfect for taking your dog on an adventure. It’s still a challenging walk, so be sure you’re prepared before you head out.
Sugarloaf Mountain is one of the most recognisable landmarks in the area, rising like a volcano or a sugarloaf above the rolling hills of Monmouthshire. Although relatively small compared to other mountains, the scenery from its summit is breathtaking. This is a popular path since it is a pleasant stroll that does not require much effort and is dog-friendly.
Abergavenny is a short drive away if you need access to local amenities, or you can begin and end your walk in the town for a longer total distance.
Distance of a Walk: 6.4Km
Complexity: Strenuous
The Llanwenarth parking lot is the starting point.
Trails, hills, and an irregular landscape.
Parking is free?
Postal Code: NP7 7LA Location: Abergavenny, Monmouthshire
Snowdonia’s Cadair Idris
Cadair Idris is another mountain you may trek in Snowdonia, although due to Snowdon’s greater height and popularity, it often gets overlooked. However, as you reach the lake nestled in the mountain’s peak, we think you’ll agree that this mountain is the more picturesque of the two.
There is no need for any sort of scrambling on this trek, making it easier than other hikes. The easiest way up the mountain is the pony trail, but it won’t get you to the top. All three of the other trails will get you to the peak, where you may take in breathtaking vistas of Snowdonia. The Minffordd Path hike is often rated as the most popular route up Cadair Idris.
Both the primary and overflow parking lots have restrooms. Near the parking lot is a visitor centre with a tearoom, where you and your dog are more than welcome to “pup” for a break and some refreshments before heading back to the vehicle.
Distance of 10km Walk
Complexity: Strenuous
Parking lot of Dol Idris
Trails, hills, and an irregular landscape.
Disappointingly, no.
Postal Code: LL36 9AJ Tywyn
