From the depths of its caves to the highest mountain peaks, the Brecon Beacons National Park has plenty to explore if you’ve got a wet nose and a wagging tail. Stretching from Llandeilo in the west to Hay-on-Wye in the east, there is a multitude of walking trails winding their way across emerald hills, past tumbling waterfalls and through bustling market towns and pretty villages.
Your playful pup is sure to feel like top dog after scampering to the summit of Pen y Fan, the highest peak in South Wales, or completing the iconic Four Waterfalls Walk. And not only does the dog-friendly Brecon Beacons have endless walkies on offer, but there is also an abundance of attractions, places to eat and cosy cottages that welcome canine adventurers too. So, pack some Welsh cakes and a selection of dog biscuits and read on to discover some of the best dog-friendly things to do in the Brecon Beacons.
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Great dog-friendly days out in the Brecon Beacons
Doggy Days at the National Botanic Gardens of Wales
Best day out for green-pawed pups: Every Monday and on selected weekends throughout the year, happy hounds are welcome to sniff out the colourful flora and fauna of the National Botanic Gardens of Wales. These special Doggy Days allow the whole pack to enjoy more than 8,000 plants from around the world in a range of themed gardens set in 568 acres of parkland. There are just a few restricted areas where dogs are not allowed, however, this shouldn’t spoil your experience.
Why your dog will love it: There are spectacular horticultural displays to admire, flower meadows to scamper through, and a variety of lakes and walks to enjoy, so there’s plenty to keep four legs entertained.
The National Showcaves Centre for Wales
Best day out for canine adventurers: When it comes to dog-friendly attractions in the Brecon Beacons, you can’t beat a tail-wagging trip to the National Showcaves Centre for Wales. Here, you and your pup pals can venture deep underground into three of Wales’ most incredible caves: Dan yr Ogof, Cathedral Cave and Bone Cave. Provided they are kept on a short lead and are prepared with doggy bags, four-legged family members can explore all three caves and the main grounds, but there are some restrictions with some of the other attractions on site.
Why your dog will love it: With a natural formation of rock in Dan yr Ogof Cave entitled the “Rasher of Bacon”, what’s not to love?
Carreg Cennen Castle
Best day out for history-loving hounds: There are few castles in the UK which can boast a more spectacular location than Carreg Cennen. Majestically standing some 300ft above the River Cennen in the dog-friendly Brecon Beacons, this mighty fortress commands extraordinary views over the Carmarthenshire countryside. Built for Edward I at the end of the 13th century, its atmospheric ruins welcome dogs on leads to sniff out all its fascinating nooks and crannies on the ground-floor levels.
Why your dog will love it: As well as the castle to uncover, there are also two dog-friendly walks to enjoy, one of which takes you on a scenic journey along the tranquil River Cennen.
Red Kite Feeding Station
Best day out for tiny twitchers: The Red Kite is an iconic sight in the Brecon Beacons, a graceful bird of prey who can perform the most incredible aerial displays above the rolling hills of the national park. After a decline 20 years ago, there are now well over 300 pairs of breeding birds in South Wales and at the Red Kite Feeding Station in Llanddeusant, you and your pack can observe these diving birds up close from one of the specially designed hides.
Why your dog will love this: During feeding time, you and your pup (on the lead) will be just feet away from the birds - it’s an incredible sight, and very rare to get so close to the action.
Wonderful dog-friendly walks in the Brecon Beacons
The Four Falls Walk
Best for waterfall watching: One of the best dog walks in the Brecon Beacons, the 5.5-mile Four Falls Walk showcases not just one, but four dazzling Welsh waterfalls. This challenging trek meanders through the heart of Waterfall Country through leafy woodland, across bridges and beside tumbling streams. Sgwd Clun-Gwyn, Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn and Sgwd y Pannwr waterfalls are all incredibly impressive, but the highlight of the scamper has to be the last waterfall on the route, Sgwd-yr-Eira, where you can venture behind the curtain of water as it thunders into the icy pool below.
Why your dog will love this: There are plenty of opportunities to jump in puddles, bound across fallen trees and chase after squirrels.
Pen y Fan and Corn Du
Best for mini mountaineers: If you have a particularly energetic canine, then the 4-mile Pen y Fan and Corn Du circular route has got to be one of the top Brecon Beacons dog walks on our list. Pack Fido’s favourite treats and set out on an adventure up Pen y Fan which is the tallest peak in the Brecon Beacons National Park at 886 metres above sea level, closely followed by Corn Du at 873 metres.
Why your dog will love this: From the summit of these magnificent peaks, pups can feel the wind in their fur while admiring breathtaking views of the Bristol Channel, Gower Peninsular and the Cambrian Mountains.
Craig Y Nos Country Park
Best for countryside capers: Let your tufty-pawed pal take the lead on a scenic scamper through Craig Y Nos Country Park, where 40 acres of undulating countryside, shady woodlands and babbling rivers offer the perfect setting for a w-a-l-k. Why not pack a picnic and make the most of a sunny day? There’s all manner of new sights, smells and sounds to discover here on a stroll, and the only restriction is that dogs are not allowed in the hay meadow while sheep are grazing in the winter months.
Why your dog will love this: The footpaths are gentle and easy to follow, with lots of benches and picnic spots dotted along the way for little rest stops.
Top dog-friendly places to eat and drink in the Brecon Beacons
The Bear
Best for delicious pub grub: Filled to the 500-year-old rafters with charm and atmosphere, The Bear in Crickhowell is widely regarded as one of the best Brecon Beacons dog-friendly pubs. This former coaching inn welcomes doggie diners everywhere except the restaurant and boasts a menu bursting with traditional pub classics including Welsh beef burger topped with smoked bacon and glazed with Welsh rarebit, and Welsh faggots with onion gravy, mushy peas and chips.
Why your dog will love this: It’s not unknown for staff to magically produce dog treats from their pockets or slip bowls of freshly cooked chicken onto the floor.
The Hours Café & Bookshop
Best for hearty breakfasts and homemade cake: One of the top dog-friendly cafes in Brecon is The Hours Café & Bookshop. A café, a bookshop and an art gallery, you can tuck into homemade cuisine produced with local ingredients in this much-loved gem. For breakfast you can enjoy a scrumptious 'Brychan's Stack' and later in the day, there are wholesome soups, warm sandwiches, salads and cakes on offer.
Why your dog will love this: There’s always plenty of fuss and tickles behind the ears from the hound-loving team here.
The Dragon’s Back
Best for a post-walkie treat: More than 1,000ft above sea level, The Dragon’s Back in Pengenffordd is the highest pub in the Brecon Beacons National Park. It is also surrounded by a myriad of walking trails through the Black Mountains, so makes a perfect place to rest weary paws following long, fresh-air walkies. Take a seat by the roaring log fire and choose from a menu of hearty Welsh fayre, including Welsh steaks cooked on hot lava rocks, venison pie, and vegetable chilli.
Why your dog will love this: From its elevated position, the views from this 300-year-old pub are simply mesmerising, for both two and four-legged family members.
Exciting dog-friendly Brecon Beacons cottages to stay in
The best dog-friendly cottage for a romantic retreat
Under The Lime Tree: Sleeps 1 dog and 2 humans
With stunning views of the Sugar Loaf Mountain, this cosy lodge makes for memorable dog-friendly holidays in the Brecon Beacons. Following a scenic scamper along the Sugar Loaf Circuit Trail nearby, let Rover enjoy a snooze by the glowing wood burner while you sink into the soothing bubbles of the hot tub.
The best dog-friendly cottage for families
Croft Y Cwm: Sleeps 2 dogs and 6 humans
Nestled in the heart of the Black Mountains, a world of walkies lies on the doorstep of this remote pet-friendly cottage. After a day of adventures, light the BBQ for an al fresco feast amidst epic scenery or fill the rolltop bath with a mountain of bubbles and relax.
Enjoy a dog-friendly holiday in the Brecon Beacons
For the ultimate backdrop to your staycation, choose one of our self-catering dog-friendly Brecon cottages. Whether you are travelling as a couple, a family or a group of friends, you’ll find a wide range of pet-friendly accommodation within our collection which will place you perfectly for memorable holidays in this glorious part of Wales. You can also discover more dog-friendly things to do in South Wales with our comprehensive Canine guide to this unforgettable UK destination.
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.