Are you keen to explore the Peak District with your pets? There are plenty of great reasons why you should!
There are walks ideal for beginners, moderate walkers, experts and even mountaineers around here – and what’s more, it is the ideal environment to bring dogs to for a run-around. But what are the best dog walks in the Peak District?
Dog walking in the Peak District is ready and waiting for you to uncover and explore, and best of all, the trails are close to the Peak District dog-friendly properties we cover.
The Monsal Trail is a lovely eight and a half-mile walk across former railway land, deep within lush greenery and great for dog lovers looking for a circular walk. There’s plenty of public transport on the route, too – always a plus if you get tired along the walk!
The Limestone Way is one of the most famous of the Peak walks, particularly as it stretches all the way across both Staffordshire and Derbyshire. This is a truly massive long-distance walk with different trails appealing to different experiences – a total of 46 miles that take you all over!
Up at the top of the Peak District is the fantastic Stanage Edge, with a nine-mile walking trail available for those dog lovers keen to spot some of the most gorgeous rugged landscapes for miles around. This moderate walk is named after its stony appearance, it can be challenging.
While the Heights of Abraham, funnily enough, are a fair way up in the heavens, some of the trails up here are pretty easy to traverse. This is a hilly spectacle that won’t take you much longer than two miles there and back, and Matlock Bath is close by.
Dovestone Reservoir is truly stunning and the prime choice for dog walkers looking for an idyllic waterside walk deep in the heart of the Peaks. This is a really simple trail just over four km in length, with lots of different trails splitting off along the way.
If you’re looking for any kind of wooded walk deep in the heart of the Peaks, you should definitely hold out for the Black Forest. This trail is pretty ragged, and it’ll lead you up to the legendary point of Lud’s Church. It’s just over 11km!
As you might expect, there are plenty of National Trust sites in the region. The Longshaw Estate happens to be one of the most popular, offering a gentle stroll alongside the fabulous Padley Gorge and ancient forestry. This is a pretty simple walk that’s less than 4km to cover, total.
Macclesfield Forest leads all the way up to the hilly Tegg’s Nose, and if you and your pup dare to get to the top, you’ll be able to spy the gorgeous skylines across Cheshire. This tends to be a bit of a tricky stroll for younger amblers, so take special care.
The Black Rocks are near Cromford and offer two distinct walking trails, though if you’re really keen on that off-lead walking experience, make sure that you head into the woodland. This is a Forestry Commission walk, meaning it’s well preserved all year round.
The Derwent is, of course, one of the most iconic waterways in the region, and you’ll be able to let your dog off the lead across much of the 2,000 acres of land out in the woodland here. There are marked walks and dams on the route.
Though smaller than the woods surrounding Upper Derwent, this 200-acre plot of forestry is great for quick, simple strolls with your pet that you can take at any time. There are reservoirs surrounding the area as well as plenty of footpaths – great for a day out!
If you are keen to take any dog walks in the Peaks, make sure you take the trail from Bakewell down towards Chatsworth House. This is an absolutely breath-taking scenic trail, stretching almost 10km and with varying slopes, wooded areas and Derwent walks along the way, too.
The brilliantly named Thor’s Cave looks majestic even from the outside. It’s really hard to spot if you are casting an eye over the woods beyond! The cave is a bit of an adventure, to say the least, as there are many steps you’ll need to climb up the top.
The Goyt Valley is amazingly iconic mainly thanks to the fact that there are simply so many walks in the region. There are more than 20 different trails around here, and some stretch from two to nine miles. Therefore, all dog walkers will find things to see and do!
The Peak District is a magnificent plot of land that extends across some of England’s best-loved and best-known countryside and hill ranges. As such, it’s ripe for exploring with your dogs! Remember that the difficulty levels for some of these dog-walking places will vary, meaning it is always worth doing a little research before you head out on the best dog walks.
If you’re stuck for things to do beyond the brilliant walks and strolls the Peaks have to offer, why not take a look at our picks below:
The best part is that the National Park is well connected to various historic towns and cities elsewhere, meaning you won’t have too far to travel if you fancy taking a break and taking in some history, heritage, or just a bit of shopping here and there.
We love the Peaks – and when it comes to walks with pets, this is National Parkland quite unlike any other in the region.
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John Devlin
Based in the North East and rarely without his dogs, John blends first-hand travel research with a genuine passion for exploring the UK with four-legged companions. He writes practical, experience-led guides to help fellow dog owners choose stays, walks, and places to eat that truly welcome pets.
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