The Peak District offers miles of open countryside, masses of hills and scenic trails to offer a variety of different walks for you and your pooch.
In this guide we’ll share with you some of the best dog-friendly walks in the Peak District, highlighting routes where your pup can roam safely whilst you enjoy the surroundings of what the Peak District has to offer.
Baslow Edge Short – From Curbar and Back
If you are looking for a short but scenic route, this is the walk for you. The route takes you along Baslow Edge, offering breathtaking views over the Derwent Valley and surrounding moorland. Starting in Curbar, the route gently ascends, then down past Wellingtons Monument to an area where you may get to see some highland cattle. The 3-mile walk should roughly take around an hour.
As you continue your walk along the marked trail, you’ll be treated with a panoramic view stretching across the Peak District, with some landmarks such as Chatsworth House being visible.
This walk is not only great for its views and well-marked trails, but also for its open space for your pup to explore. However, care should be taken as there may be livestock and cattle.
Rowland Loop From Bakewell
This next walk is approximately 4 miles (6.5km) and takes around 1.5 hours to 2 hours depending on your walking pace. The circular route starts at the old Bakewell Station, following the Monsal Trail, before looping back through the Hamlet of Rowland. This trail is perfect if you’re looking for something that is slightly more leisurely but still has those picturesque views of the Peak District. It is the perfect for those looking for a combination of woodland paths and modest trails with stunning views.
There are plenty of grassy areas allowing your dog to roam, and because this area is quieter than some of the other trails and routes in the Peak District, it allows for more of a relaxing experience. Perfect for those pups that prefer not to be disturbed on their walks.
Due to its gentle trails, it can also be a perfect spot for cyclist so keep this in mind, as you may want to keep your dog on a lead.
Carsington Reservoir Walk
If you’re looking for something a little different to trail, the Carsington reservoir is a great circular walking route. The full loop is around 8 miles (13km) and depending on walking pace, should take around 3 to 4 hours. However, shorter routes are available for a more relaxing walk.
The walk begins at the visitor’s centre. The walk begins southwards and follows a path past the sailing club with signs for Millfields. Stay on the trail along the dam wall and eventually you will wind up down through the pasture and woodland. Along the way you will see plenty of birdlife, including, herons, swans, and maybe even ospreys, so keep this in mind when taking your pooch along this route.
There are several picnic spots and benches for you to take your own lunch and enjoy the views and wildlife.
This route offers the perfect walk for a dog due to its open spaces, woodland trails and gentle terrain on their paws. There’s also a lot of open grassy patches where your dog can comfortably explore and sniff. Another stand out feature that sets this walk apart from the usual trail, is the dog friendly facilities that are offered. The café provides outdoor seating where dogs are welcome, and water bowels are provided. One thing to keep in mind is that dogs are not allowed to swim in the reservoir, however, the amount of open space that is accessible here allows dogs to still enjoy their walk.
Kinder Scout Circular
Kinder Scout is undoubtedly one of the most popular hikes in the Peak District. It is known for its craggy terrain, peat bogs and amazing views over the National Park. At 636 meters above sea level, it is the highest point in the Peak District and Derbyshire. Kinder Scout offers many routes which are suitable for you and your four-legged friend.
The circular route around is approximately 12km and typically takes between 4.5 to 5.5 hours to complete. This route is a little more challenging but of course more engaging for you and your dog, due to its uneven terrain, rocks, and waterfalls that flow through the route. It is important to consider the steep ascents and descents on this route as well as stiles and whether your dog is physically capable of handling this type of route.
Mam Tor
Mam Tor is a 517m hill in the High Peak of Derbyshire. Theres a circular walk that begins at the National Trust car park to the summit and back. Reaching the top will reward walkers with stunning views of Edale Valley and Kinder Scout.
The walk is intermediate with some steep climbs and uneven ground, so sturdy footwear is recommended. Once you have achieved the summit (which takes approximately 20 minutes to reach) you can begin to walk along the great ridge. This route stetches from Mam Tor to Lose Hill. This route offers elevated views of the Peak District and is good if you’re wanting to extend your hike.
It is considered to be one of the most popular dog walks in Derbyshire due to the open space and easy access. However, it is important to note that all dogs must be kept on a lead throughout the route due to livestock and to protect the Peak District's rare birds and avoid disturbing their nests. However, if your dog has a strong recall and is used to livestock there are some grassy areas where your dog can roam and sniff.
This route can be done regardless of your experience in hiking due to its well marked paths. However, it’s important you have suitable footwear for your hike.
Mam Tor is a fantastic dog friendly walk with minimal difficulty and maximum reward with the peak taking just 20 minutes. It has the perfect combination of panoramic views and well-maintained paths for you and your companion. If you’re looking for an enjoyable hike in the Peak District that is dog friendly, Mam Tor should be at the top of your list!
