The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley are beautiful areas for a holiday with your dog. There are loads of great walks to choose from, so you and your dog can enjoy some great adventures together. Here are the best dog walks in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley.
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What is the best dog-friendly accommodation in the Forest of Dean?
There are loads of options for places to stay with your dog when you visit the Forest of Dean. There are some beautiful cottages hidden deep in the forest, where you can enjoy a peaceful, relaxing break. I find self-catering cottages are great with a dog, as you can have the whole place to yourself and your dog will feel like it’s home. It’s even better if you can find a cottage with a hot tub to relax after a long day of walking! Having a nice cottage will help you make the most of the best dog walks in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley. Check out some on Holiday Cottages – just click on the link below to start browsing (affiliate).
Best dog walks in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley
If you’re looking for a guide to the best walks in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley, I’d recommend this walking guide (affiliate). There’s a great variety of different length walks, and some really useful maps to follow as well. Keep reading on for my favourite walks in the area.
1. Symonds Yat
First on my list of the best dog walks in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley are the walks around Symonds Yat. This part of the Forest of Dean has some great trails, and they’re all clearly signposted so you won’t get lost. I really enjoyed the 4 mile long Mailscot Wood trail, which goes past a great viewpoint over the River Wye.
The trail also goes through some beautiful parts of the forest, where your dog can enjoy all the smells of the forest. And you can enjoy the lovely wildflowers that come out in the springtime. It’s a lovely place to walk with your dog.
2. Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail
Another of my favourite dog walks in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley is the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail. This walk starts from the car park at Beechenhurst, which has plenty of spaces as well as toilets and a cafe. It’s another well-signposted walk through beautiful forest scenery that your dog will love exploring. The sculptures give some extra interest on this walk. My favourite was the Cathedral sculpture. I just loved how the light hit the stained glass through the trees.
3. Goodrich Castle
Goodrich Castle is a dog-friendly place to visit in the Forest of Dean. Dogs need to be kept on leads, but you’re free to explore all parts of the castle with your dog without any restrictions. I enjoyed visiting the medieval castle and learning some of the history of the area. I always find it fascinating thinking how people used to live hundreds of years ago. Plus, visiting this castle added some nice variety to my holiday in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley. Plan your visit and check out the opening times here.
4. River Wye
As well as beautiful forest walks, there are also some beautiful river walks in this part of the UK. These are perfect if your dog loves swimming, as there are plenty of parts of the river where your dog can go for a swim. My favourite river walk was near Goodrich Castle. I parked at the Castle and then walked down to the river and enjoyed a long walk along the river bank. It was a lovely place to explore with my dog, especially on a warm, sunny day.
5. Mallard Pike Lake
The last of my best dog walks in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley is a walk around Mallard Pike Lake. This is another great walk if your dog likes water. The lake is calm so it’s perfect for your dog to have a quick swim. I really enjoyed the reflections in the lake when I was walking around. The lake isn’t huge, so if you and your dog have some extra energy, you can extend your walk. There are plenty of footpaths in the area so it’s easy to walk further. It’s another great place to enjoy adventures with your dog.
Enjoy my best dog walks in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley! Remember to check out this great walking guide for your trip (affiliate). If you’re looking for more walking holidays with your dog in the UK, check out my blog on dog walks on the Gower Peninsula, and spending time in Dorset with your dog. There are also lots of great walks in the nearby Cotswolds and Wiltshire.
Wow, these are spectacular. The dog walks I often see, are nothing compared to these. I would love to check all of these places out. River Wye would top my list. It’s nice the dogs can easily swim there.
It’s a really lovely area to walk your dogs, and the river was great on a hot day.
I would take my Golden on all these walks if I lived in the UK. He loves to trek in the woodlands. Great post.
It’s definitely a great place to take your dog!