Dog-Friendly Walks in the Yorkshire Dales and Moors: A Dog Lover's Guide

Some of my favourite conversations at the salon start with a client showing me a photo of their dog stood on a windswept moor or halfway up a Dales fell, grinning from ear to ear. We are lucky here in York: within an hour or so you can be striding across open heather or following a river through classic limestone country. If you and your dog fancy something bigger than the usual local loop, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors are hard to beat.

Here is a dog lover's guide to getting the most out of them, including the bits that keep everyone, sheep included, safe and happy.

The North York Moors: heather, forest and space

The North York Moors are on our doorstep, and they deliver that big open feeling that a lot of dogs love. Areas like Sutton Bank, Dalby Forest and the trails around Rosedale and the Hole of Horcum give you a mix of forest tracks and sweeping moorland views.

A word of caution though: much of the moorland is grazed by sheep, and huge stretches are home to ground-nesting birds through spring and early summer. Keep dogs on leads across open moor, particularly from March to July, and stick to the marked tracks. It protects the wildlife and keeps you on the right side of the local land managers.

Good for: Confident walkers, dogs who love a long outing, dramatic scenery.

The Yorkshire Dales: rivers, drystone walls and green lanes

Head west and you are into the Yorkshire Dales, all drystone walls, river valleys and rolling green. Malhamdale, Wharfedale and the paths around Aysgarth Falls are deservedly popular, with plenty of riverside stretches where a paddle-loving dog can cool off.

The Dales are working farmland first and foremost, so you will pass through fields of sheep and cattle constantly. Leads on around livestock, gates closed behind you, and give cows with calves a very wide berth. If cattle start taking an interest and you feel uneasy, the advice is to let your dog off the lead so it can get itself clear, then move calmly to safety yourself.

Good for: Riverside routes, classic Yorkshire views, dogs who like water.

Reading the countryside code

You do not need to memorise a rulebook, but a few habits make all the difference:

• Leads on near any livestock, and always near ground-nesting bird areas in spring and summer.
• Clean up after your dog, every time, even on a remote moor.
• Close gates behind you and follow waymarked routes.
• Carry water, a spare lead and a means of contacting help on the bigger, remoter walks.

The Kennel Club has sensible guidance on walking dogs in the countryside if you want to read up before a big day out.

Groomer's tip: After a moorland or Dales walk, run your fingers through your dog's coat and check between the toes, behind the ears and under the armpits and tail. Grass seeds, burrs and clumps of mud love those spots, and catching them early stops a small tangle turning into a painful mat.

The hidden cost of a glorious walk: coat and paws

Long walks over rough ground are wonderful for a dog's body and mind, but they are tough on coats and feet. Bracken, heather and boggy ground work mud and debris deep into the fur, and wet double coats matt quickly if they are left to dry knotted.

For the doodles, spaniels, retrievers and terriers I see most often, a quick post-walk routine helps enormously: rinse the legs and belly, towel dry thoroughly, and give a proper brush through once they have settled. When the adventures have got ahead of the home grooming, that is exactly what a professional deshedding or wash and brush is for.

Frequently asked questions

Can dogs walk off lead in the Yorkshire Dales and Moors? In some areas, yes, but only where it is genuinely safe and there is no livestock or ground-nesting bird risk. Across open moorland and any grazed farmland, keep dogs on leads, especially from March to July.

Are the North York Moors dog-friendly? Very. There are excellent forest and moorland walks, but much of the land is grazed and protected for wildlife, so leads on across open moor and stick to the marked tracks.

What should I do if I meet cattle while walking my dog? Keep calm, give them space and do not walk between cows and their calves. If cattle become threatening, let your dog off the lead so it can escape, and move quietly to safety yourself.

How do I stop my dog's coat matting after big walks? Check and brush the coat after every muddy or wet walk, paying attention to armpits, ears and paws. Regular professional grooming keeps longer coats manageable between adventures.

Fluffs is a professional dog grooming salon in Wigginton, York, offering one-to-one grooming for dogs of every breed and coat type across Haxby, Strensall, Huntington, New Earswick and the surrounding villages. Just back from the fells with a very muddy dog? Get in touch to book them in.