With rich and varied landscapes to explore on the cusp of England and Scotland, it’s no wonder that Northumberland is a popular destination for dog owners seeking wonderful walkies on holiday with their hounds. For off-leash scampers on sandy beaches we love the area around Seahouses, but Rover will also love the wild open spaces of Northumberland National Park, Kielder Water & Forest Park and Hadrian’s Wall.
From wide-open bays to rugged peaks and ancient woodlands, here are some of our favourite dog walks in Northumberland.
Hareshaw Linn Walk
Best for: Woodland and waterfalls
Location: Bellingham, Northumberland National Park
Distance: 3 miles (each way)
Terrain: Moderate – uneven terrain with rocky sections, steps and bridges
Your canine companion will love snuffling along woodland trails to the mighty Hareshaw Linn waterfall, thundering from 30 feet high. There are plenty of spots where water-loving dogs can take a dip, and you might spot red squirrels, woodpeckers, and redstarts on your stroll through stunning scenery, which is a designated SSSI.
Allen Banks and Staward Gorge
Best for: Riverside rambles with Rover
Location: Hexham, Northumberland
Distance: 2-5.5 miles
Terrain: Uneven paths that are challenging and steep in places
An ancient woodland with plenty of fallen sticks to play with and dog-friendly trails to tread, Allen Banks is a paradise for your pooch. There are four trails of varying distances to choose from, including a 5.5-mile (half-day) loop that takes you alongside the River Allen before a challenging climb up to Staward Peel that’s rewarded with gob-smacking views.
Walk to the Wildwood, Kielder Forest
Best for: Forest yomps and lakeside picnics
Location: Kielder Water & Forest Park, Northumberland
Distance: 6.5 miles
Terrain: Mostly easygoing with some incline to the viewpoint
There are plenty of dog walks crisscrossing Kielder Water & Forest Park – home to the biggest woodland forest in England and Britain’s largest manmade lake. Your canine companion will love bounding through lush green spaces and following forest tracks through Scots pines to the Currick viewpoint, where you can see Kielderhead Wildwood. Along this glorious dog walk in Northumberland, look out for water voles, buzzards and pine martens, listen out for birdsong, and keep your eyes peeled for cloudberries hidden in the mosses.
Kirknewton Hillfort Circuit, Cheviot Hills
Best for: Energetic dogs and their owners
Location: Kirknewton, Northumberland National Park
Distance: 3 miles
Terrain: Hilly and challenging
If you’re keen to tackle some challenging terrain and steep climbs, head for the Cheviot Hills with your hound at your heels. Straddling the Anglo-Scottish border, here you’ll find some of the highest dog walks in Northumberland. The Kirknewton Hillfort Circuit takes you across rolling heathland to rugged peaks where you can see as far as the Lake District on a clear day.
Seahouses to Bamburgh Castle
Best for: Beaches and castles with your canine
Location: Seahouses, Northumberland
Distance: 3 miles each way
Terrain: Easy – mostly flat.
Set out from one of our dog-friendly holiday cottages in Seahouses for walkies along this wild stretch of Northumberland’s coastline. While your four-legged friend bounds along Bamburgh beach, you can soak up the stunning scenery and fill your photo reel with shots of your sandy-pawed hound with the castle in the background. Dig into over 3,000 years of history with your hound when you reach the mighty fortress, and take a paw-friendly pitstop at the Copper Kettle tearoom before following the coastline back to Seahouses.
Craster to Dunstanburgh Castle Walk
Best for: Families with young children and dogs
Location: Craster, Alnwick
Distance: 4 miles (round trip)
Terrain: Easy with a few gentle hills
The seaside village of Craster, with its pretty harbour and plenty of paw-friendly places to eat, is the perfect base for families with dogs on holiday in Northumberland. Set off from your dog-friendly cottage for a flat, easy walk across grassy coastal areas where the dog can run free to the impressive medieval ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle. Back in Craster, The Jolly Fisherman is one of our favourite family-friendly, dog-friendly eateries, where you can all kick back with panoramic views of Dunstanburgh Castle and the North Sea.
Holy Island and Lindisfarne Castle Circular
Best for: Wildlife and island scenery
Location: Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island
Distance: 5 miles
Terrain: Moderate – steep in places
If you want to get away from it all on your dog walk, there aren’t many more atmospheric places to explore than this wild island off the coast of Northumberland. This quiet route takes you away from the day trippers and into the dunes on the north side of Lindisfarne, where you can spot seals and seabirds, and climb to the striking castle perched on the crown of this ‘Holy Island’.
Low Newton to Embleton Bay
Best for: Empty beaches for sandy paws
Location: Low Newton-by-the-Sea
Distance: 2.5 miles (one way)
Terrain: Flat, sandy bay
Unfolding beneath the dramatic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, the sandy sweep of Embleton Bay beckons dog walkers to enjoy one of Northumberland’s most spectacular beaches. Park at Low Newton and follow the coastline, padding barefoot on the sand and revelling in the views while playing fetch with Fido. Despite its outstanding beauty, you’ll often find Embleton empty, especially in winter, when you’ll find most dog walkers huddled in the cosy Ship Inn.
Vindolanda and Hadrian’s Wall
Best for: Discovering history with your hound
Location: Hexham
Distance: 6 miles
Terrain: Hilly footpaths.
You and your pooch will love this stroll along one of the most scenic sections of Hadrian’s Wall. Rove into the rolling countryside of Northumberland, spotting birds and wildlife, and delve into history at the Vindolanda Roman Fort. You can also gen up on the area at the National Landscape Discovery Centre, and finish your walk at the dog-friendly Twice Brewed Inn. This makes for a perfect day out while on a dog-friendly holiday in the Hexham area.
Take Your Pack To A Dog-Friendly Retreat In Northumberland
Ready to explore some of the best dog walks in this beautiful holiday destination? Book one of our paw-friendly cottages in Northumberland and set out on foot for enjoyable rambles with Rover.
