There’s no doubting that dogs holidaying with their humans in Yorkshire have certain expectations and one of those is decent walks across dale, moor and wold. Luckily, Yorkshire is dog friendly and offers plenty in the way of strolls, saunters and jaunts.
From the hilly countryside to the gorgeous coast, stopping off at waterfalls and landscaped gardens in castle grounds, we'll take you on an unforgettable North England adventure.
Here are some of our favourite dog-friendly walks in Yorkshire that will get your dog's paws in a frenzy. And if you need to find a place to stay after all that walking, just click the button below.
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Glasshouses to Pateley Bridge
Dogs with a passion for a riverside view will love this circular walk from Glasshouses into Pateley Bridge, a quintessential Nidderdale village with some excellent dog-friendly pubs. This is one of the best dog walks as it's suitable for most types of dogs and humans.
Why your dog will love this: A walk by the river followed by cake crumbs and a nice bowl of water? Perfect. Dogs in the know have said that the bacon butties in the riverside café are also worth pulling your humans over for.
Terrain: Riverside with some hills - medium gradient (elevation gain of 128m), enclosed green lanes, fields and tarmac paths.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Distance: 3.5 miles (5.8 km).
Ideal for: Dogs who love a little swim as there are plenty of opportunities for a paddle along the way. There are also quiet fields so hounds can get some proper off-lead exercise - as always, keep an eye out for wildlife and livestock.
In addition: Lots of cafés and pubs en route.
Stay nearby: Butterfly, Glasshouses (sleeps 1 hound and 2 humans).
Runswick Bay
The Sandsend to Runswick Bay walk in North Yorkshire follows the edge of eroding cliffs with some spectacular sea views. Set off from the small fishing village of Sandsend and finish in the sweeping bay of Runswick, known for its charming red-roofed cottages and pretty, dog-friendly beach.
Why your dog will love this: Feeling the wind in their fur and breathing in the fresh sea air along the clifftops can't be beaten.
Terrain: 1,100 feet altitude, rocky cliff edges.
Difficulty: Medium with some steps to start the cliff-top section and along the route.
Distance: 6.1 miles (9.8 km).
Ideal for: Active dogs who don't mind a few steps and are happy on-lead due to dangerous cliff edges.
In addition: Parking in the village and north end public parking. Excellent crab sandwiches to be enjoyed at the Sandsend café.
Stay nearby: The Curious Crab, Staithes (sleeps 2 hounds and 6 humans).
Staithes and Port Mulgrave
Take this top UK dog walk circular walk from the delightful fishing village of Staithes with its harbourside cottages and cobbled streets. Follow the popular Cleveland Way National Trail for the first half of the walk, then hike across the cliffs to the little harbour of Port Mulgrave.
Why your dog will love this: A walk with the human through a village, along a harbour, up cliffs and back through fields and woodland is definitely on most pups' wish lists!
Terrain: Quiet lanes and paths through fields and cliffs. Unfenced clifftops (dogs on leads) with a steep drop. The walk crosses the busy A174 twice.
Difficulty: Quite difficult as there is a steep climb from the harbour up to the clifftop, and a descent with steps in the woods.
Distance: 4 miles (6.4 km).
Ideal for: Hounds who don't mind taking in a bit of history on their walk - humans do tend to stop a bit!
In addition: Parking in Staithes car park and refreshments in Staithes and Dalehouse. Toilets at start/finish of the walk.
Stay nearby: Waverley House, Staithes (sleeps 2 and 6 humans).
Welburn and Castle Howard
This trail located near Welburn in North Yorkshire is an excellent shortish walk. It's the perfect afternoon for those who like a farmland and woodland walk with a gorgeous castle on the way.
Why your dog will love this: Lots of mud and sniffs in woodland and some magnificent stately home grounds to peruse.
Terrain: Farmland and woodland paths, some short ascents and descents, can be muddy and slippery in places.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Distance: 3.5 miles (5.5 km) with an option to shorten it to 2 miles (3.5 km).
Ideal for: Less able dogs who can't manage too many hills and stiles.
In addition: A pub in the village of Welburn, a village shop and café. Farm shop, courtyard café and plant centre at Castle Howard.
Stay nearby: The Granary At Close Farm, Malton (sleeps 4 hounds and 6 humans).
Muker to Thwaite Circular (Swaledale)
This scenic walk in Upper Swaledale starts and ends at the Farmer’s Arms in Muker, a great choice for a pre-walk breakfast and a post-walk lunch. You’ll be treated to views from Kisdon Hill, though bear in mind that the first section of this dog walk in the Yorkshire Dales is quite steep. If you can cope with that, it’s all downhill from there, figuratively speaking, and you can also stop off in Thwaite for a mid-walk coffee and bowl of water.
Why your dog will love this: Dogs who love a bit of typical Yorkshire Dales scenery - starting and finishing at a pub - will be putting this on their favourites list.
Terrain: Quite steep first section, then downhill to Thwaite and level-going to Muker.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Distance: 4.8 miles (7.7 km).
Ideal for: Dogs who can cope with a small steep climb with lovely long tracks to amble along at leisure.
In addition: Pub at the beginning and end of the walk in Muker as well as in Thwaite. Public toilets at Muker.
Stay nearby: Brookside - Muker, Muker (sleeps 1 hound and 5 humans).
Aysgarth Falls
There are lots of different paths to take around the pretty Aysgarth Falls in Wensleydale. No outing is complete without a stop-off at the pup-friendly Wensleydale Heifer in the village of West Witton.
Why your dog will love this: Taking in three flights of waterfalls, this is one for water babies who are happy to stay warm and dry at the side!
Terrain: Requires some modest uphill climbing - climb the height of 215 metres.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Distance: 6.75 miles (10.8 km).
Ideal for: Dogs who can handle a long walk with some uphill sections.
In addition: Car park and National Park Centre. Toilets in the car park. Nearby café. Pubs in Aysgarth and restaurant/café at Bolton Castle.
Stay nearby: Walden Cottage, Aysgarth 2 miles (sleeps 2 hounds and 4 humans).
Knaresborough, the Nidd Gorge and Old Bilton
Take in the scenery of beautiful North Yorkshire when you walk this walk through two villages, passing a river and a gorge. Mother Shipton’s Cave is your starting point and from here you head towards Bilton and the River Nidd. The sight of the Nidd Gorge is impressive, especially with the viaduct in full view. After this, just stroll back to Knaresborough.
Why your dog will love this: They’ll be able to go off lead for large sections and a quick dip in the Nidd will cool them off after building up a sweat.
Terrain: The gorge at this dog-friendly walk in Yorkshire can be steep in places with steps and boardwalks.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Distance: 6 miles (9.6km)
Ideal for: Dogs with good recall as you can let them go free on this off-lead dog walk.
In addition: The Gardeners Arms in Bilton has a beer garden, and The Mitre Inn in Knaresborough is dog friendly and does traditional pub grub.
Stay nearby: Dray Cottage, Knaresborough (sleeps 1 hound and 4 humans).
Ilkley Moor - Twelve Apostles
There are various fabulous heritage walks around Ilkley in West Yorkshire – one of our favourites is the Twelve Apostles route where you can walk the fascinating prehistoric trail taking in ancient cup marks and the Twelve Apostles Neolithic stone circle.
Why your dog will love this: Christmassy winter walks across the moor are the best walkie as far as our dogs are concerned!
Terrain: Good moorland paths with some steep paths at end of the walk. Ascent/gradient of 425ft.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Distance: 4.5 miles (7.2 km).
Ideal for: Fit dogs who will delight in a brooding moorland walk - just keep them under control as sheep graze freely on the moorland.
In addition: Off-road parking and pay and display car park. Public toilets in pay and display near Cow and Calf rocks.
Stay nearby: Ivy Cottage - Lindley, Harrogate (sleeps 2 hounds and 4 humans).
Hardcastle Crags
If popularity is anything to go by, this would be considered one of the best dog walks in Yorkshire. The mesmerising wooded valley of Hardcastle Crags is known to the locals as ‘Little Switzerland’ and the National Trust goes to lengths to keep it beautiful. Make your way to Gibson Mill, a 19th-century cotton-spinning and weaving mill, which has been modernised to create its own power and recycle its own waste.
Why your dog will love this: As Yorkshire dog walks go, this one is great in its variety: muddy paths, rocky trails and shallow streams are all included here.
Terrain: Lots of ups and downs, some parts are uneven, rocky and lined with tree roots. You may need to cross Hebden Water via some stepping stones.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate.
Distance: 9.3 miles (15km), although there are many shorter walks in the area too.
Ideal for: Sociable dogs as there are likely to be a few other walkers on these dog walks in West Yorkshire.
In addition: The dog-friendly Weaving Shed Café can be found in Gibson Mill, along with picnic areas.
Stay nearby: Lower Mount Farm - On The Tops, near Todmorden (sleeps 2 hounds and 6 humans).
Otley Chevin
Head to the Wharfe Valley and visit the Chevin, home to some amazing views of mixed woodland and heathland. Climb the steps to the highest point, known as Surprise View, which stands 282 metres above sea level. From here, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of Otley and Wharfdale.
Why your dog will love this: With more than 180 hectares of grassland, crags and dense woodland, this dog walk in Yorkshire is sure to please your four-legged friend.
Terrain: Some steep terrain, including muddy paths and the 217 Chevin Steps.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate.
Distance: 5.5 miles (8.9km).
Ideal for: Wearing the dogs out up the steps and then giving them a large space to stretch their legs at the top.
In addition: In the town of Otley, there are plenty of dog-friendly eateries including Bloomfield Square.
Stay nearby: Two Hoots, Pateley Bridge (sleeps 2 hounds and 8 humans).
All walked out?
Give your tired toes and paws a break and come back to the comfort of one of our welcoming holiday cottages in Yorkshire. We've got properties all over this large northern county, where national parks filled with great dog walks cover about 40% of the land. Find cottages on the popular Yorkshire coastline, on the moors or in a metropolitan city.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.