Dog-friendly walks in the Lake District

The Lake District is one of the best places in Britain to walk with a dog. Most of the fells are open access land, the footpath network is huge, and plenty of pubs and cafés welcome muddy paws. Every walk on this page allows dogs. Each guide tells you whether a dog can run free on parts of the route or should stay on a lead throughout, usually because of livestock, roads or steep drops.

Livestock and lambing

Almost every walk in the Lakes crosses land grazed by sheep, and some routes pass cattle. Keep your dog on a short lead around livestock, and always during lambing season, roughly March to May, when ewes and young lambs are easily stressed. On open fell, sheep can appear from nowhere, so a dog with an unreliable recall is safer on a lead. Cattle with calves can be protective of them. If cows come towards you, keep calm and keep moving. If they chase you, let go of the lead: your dog can outrun them, and so can you once the herd follows the dog. Our safety guide covers this in more detail.

Water, heat and rough ground

Becks and tarns are a joy for dogs on a hot day, but carry water anyway: streams on the high fells can be dry in summer and polluted by sheep. Blue-green algae sometimes blooms in still lakes and tarns in warm weather; watch for warning signs and keep dogs out of discoloured water. Sharp scree and long rocky descents are hard on paws and joints. A big mountain day such as Scafell Pike or the Old Man of Coniston suits a fit, experienced dog, not a puppy or an older dog. Some routes, such as the steep, stepped climbs at Castle Crag, include short sections where you may need to help a smaller dog.

Good walks to start with

For an easy outing, the lakeshore and cave at Rydal Caves make a great short loop, and Gummer's How gives a big view for very little effort. Woodland waterfall walks such as Tarn Hows and Tom Gill or Aira Force offer shade on warm days, though the paths near the falls are busy and dogs should stay on a lead there.

Wherever you go, bag and bin your dog's waste (there are no bins on the fells, so carry it home), close gates behind you, and follow any local signs about dogs on National Trust and farmland. Check each walk guide's Dogs fact and FAQs before you set off.