Top 5 Dog Walks in The Lake District
With around 51 million dog owners in the United Kingdom, a pet pooch is often considered one of the family and is very deserving of the title ‘man’s best friend’. Dogs are not only a great companion, but they are known to improve our physical and mental health too. Arguably, nothing beats a long walk with your four-legged friend or seeing their excitement when you pick up their lead and they know it’s time for another adventure! So, what better excuse to ‘explore your world’ than to explore it with your canine companion? To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of our Top 5 Dog Walks in The Lake District!
Haystacks
As one of Wainwright's favourite walks, you know you will not be disappointed! This is quite a challenging walk with a lot of steep uphill segments and the odd scrambly section. Active dogs shouldn’t find the terrain an issue and it is a brilliant walk for your four-legged friend; for yourself, the views are some of the best around! This 5-mile walk starts at Gatesgarth Farm near the head of Buttermere, where you will also conveniently find a small car park. You will then climb up Scarth Gap, a foot pass described by Wainwright as "one of the pleasantest of foot-passes" until you reach the col between High Crag on the right and Haystacks to the left. The path zig-zags up to the summit of Haystacks where you will be met with spectacular views. Following this, you drop down to Warnscale Beck and along the beck to Warnscale Bottom. Along the way, there is water available for your pooch on the tarns of Haystacks and from Warnscale Beck. Altogether, this walk should take you around 2 and a half to 3 hours.
Catbells
This walk takes you from Hawes End landing – which you can get to by taking a boat from Keswick – round to, and up to, Catbells; here you will experience sensational panoramic views over Keswick, Derwentwater and Borrowdale! The climb is steep but short and well worth it for the views of the mountains and lakes and one which your dog should amble up with ease. The walk is circular and as there are a couple of scrambly sections we recommend you go around anti-clockwise as these are easier in ascent. Please be aware that on this 3.7-mile walk there is no water on Catbells ridge for your canine companion to drink – so be prepared for when they get thirsty, especially on hot days! Altogether, this walk should take you between 2 to 2 and a half hours.
Grasmere and Rydal Water
Starting from Grasmere village, where there are a number of car parks, this walk provides plenty of opportunities for your pooch to play in the lakes! Heading out of Grasmere, the terrain of this walk is varying as you follow a terraced bridleway overlooking Grasmere, through woodland and coming out in Rydal. Conveniently, there are several dog-friendly hotels for refreshments in Rydal! If you follow the path climbing out of Rydal and past Rydal Mount you will end up along the side of the fell above the village and lakes. This part of the route happens to take you along the old Coffin road, so called as it was the route used to take the dead of Rydal to the church in Grasmere for burial. Remnants of this tradition can be spotted in the form of several large resting stones along the way where the coffin would be set down so the bearers could rest. The path emerges behind several old slate cottages, one of which is Dove Cottage – the most famous home of William Wordsworth – where you will find yourself once again at the edge of Grasmere village. This 5.6-mile walk is very enjoyable for dog and owner alike, taking approximately 2 to 2 and half hours. Please be aware though that you will have to cross a busy road twice so remember your four-legged friends lead!
Aira Force and Gowbarrow
This is an exciting walk for dog and owner alike! To start, head towards Aira Force from the National Trust car park located on Lake Ullswater, where you will both be greeted by the thunderous roar of the waterfalls - inquisitive dogs will be mesmerised! At the base of the waterfall, head up the steep steps on the left-hand side where the view down Aira Force is well worth the climb. Keeping the river on your left-hand side, keep going until you reach a gate taking you onto open farmland – be wary at his point and keep your lead at hand in case of livestock. Before you reach the next gate, bear right to head up onto the fellside, following the path up to the summit of Gowbarrow. From here, the panoramic view is spectacular with Helvellyn, Blencathra and the Penines all in site. When you leave the summit, the path will take you past the ruin of an old shooting lodge as you go around the eastern flank of Gowbarrow. Heading back towards the carpark, you will be able to enjoy views of Lake Ullswater as you and your dog finish this 4-and-a-half-mile walk.
Place Fell
Overlooking Patterdale and Glenridding, Place Fell promises outstanding views from the head of Ullswater, with Helvellyn and Kirkstone Pass also in site. There are lots to explore at the summit area too, the rocky outcrops and grassy knolls are a great adventure for you and your four-legged friend! The steep climb to the top, beginning from the car park at Patterdale, is never uncomfortable and shouldn’t be a problem for active dogs or their humans! There are also lots of opportunities on the ascent for thirsty dogs to drink from small becks and at the top, there are many small tarns.
