With the London Marathon coming up on 27 April, why not lace up your trainers and explore some of the best dog-friendly running trails across the UK? Whether you’re training for race day or simply enjoying lungfuls of fresh air while clocking up the miles, these scenic routes offer a mix of terrain – from forest paths to lakeside tracks and rolling hills – perfect for runners of all abilities and their four-legged companions. So, which one will you run?
Grizedale Forest, Lake District
Best for: Woodland trails and varied gradients
If you and your dog love weaving beneath tree canopies on nature’s paths, Grizedale Forest is your go-to. Here, in the heart of one the UK’s most dog-friendly destinations – the Lake District – you can explore a mix of forest tracks, open fells, and lake views, with your dog at your side. With miles of trails ranging from gentle 5km loops to challenging 10-mile routes, there are paths for all levels of runners – and their dogs – to enjoy.
Map your run at Grizedale Forest
The Ridgeway
Chilterns & North Wessex Downs
Best for: Historic trails and rolling hills
Popularly known as ‘Britain’s Oldest Roads’, the Ridgeway follows a ridge of chalk hills between the World Heritage Site of Avebury and Ivinghoe Beacon. Now traffic-free, its 87 miles winds along ancient trails and bridleways, offering open countryside, rolling downland, and peaceful woodland— making it perfect for uninterrupted running with your dog. The Wantage to Goring section (approximately 16 miles) is an excellent mid-length option, featuring panoramic views, wide, grassy tracks, and terrain that’s easy on paws and joints.
Map your run along the Ridgeway
The South West Coast Path
Cornwall, Devon & Somerset
Best for: Long-distance training and challenging elevation
For those who love a challenge, the South West Coast Path offers over 630 miles of spectacular scenery, with a mix of clifftop trails and beach runs ideal for adventures on foot and paw. The stretch from Porthcothan to Padstow in Cornwall offers spongy paths, stupendous views, and a necklace of dog-friendly beaches for cooling dips and space to run freely. Or, the Minehead to Porlock section in Somerset features shady woodland trails and a mix of terrain, making it great for joint-friendly running with your pup.
Map your run on the South West Coast Path
Brecon Beacons National Park
Wales
Best for: Trail running in dramatic landscapes
If you and your dog crave a rugged trail-running experience in the hills, head to the untamed landscapes of the Brecon Beacons National Park. With craggy peaks, wild moorland, lush valleys, and cascading waterfalls, here you’ll find exhilarating trails for both beginners and seasoned runners, such as routes leading up to Pen y Fan (the highest peak in southern Britain), or along the 55-mile Taff Trail.
One of our favourite routes with the dog is the Four Falls Trail, a 5-mile loop that weaves through well-marked forested paths, with a few steep and challenging sections, and a series of waterfalls where your dog can have a splash along the way. New to trail running or the area and need help in tackling the local trails? Try Limitless Trails, which offers coaching sessions and even canine-cross tuition for running with dogs.
Map my run in the Brecon Beacons
The Norfolk Coast Path
Norfolk
Best for: Flat, long-distance running with your dog
If you prefer flat terrain, this 84-mile National Trail from Hunstanton to Hopton-on-Sea offers fantastic terrain for distance runners. The Holkham Beach to Wells-next-the-Sea stretch is particularly stunning, with pine forest trails and vast sands where dogs can run free and cool off in the sea.
Other dog-friendly highlights along this route include Brancaster Beach, with its miles of open sand and trails through the National Trust’s Blakeney Nature Reserve, which offers fantastic wildlife views and peaceful, dog-friendly paths. (Please note that dogs must be kept on a lead in certain areas between May and September.)
Map your run on the Norfolk Coast Path
Delamere Forest
Cheshire
Best for: Gentle woodland trails
If you’re seeking a scenic run with plenty of opportunities for your dog to snuffle through woodland and cool off in lakes, head to Delamere Forest. Spanning 2,000 acres, this is a dog-friendly paradise where pups can roam off-leash across most areas, giving them ample space to stretch their legs while you rack up the miles on trails winding through ancient woodland and heathland. The Blakemere Trail (about 4 miles) is a popular route, guiding you through dappled woodland and around the tranquil Blakemere Moss, making it a perfect choice for an easy run with your dog.
Map your run in Delamere Forest
The South Downs Way
East Sussex
Best for: Chalky coastal cliffs and rolling hills
One of the UK’s most famous trails, the South Downs Way offers a heady mix of sea views, rolling hills, and challenging terrain, making it a classic route for runners. The Seven Sisters stretch is particularly great for runners with dogs, featuring wide grassy paths, quieter inland trails, and plenty of sections where dogs can run off-lead.
Whether you explore the full 100-mile trail or focus on parts of it within the South Downs National Park, it’s an excellent choice for runners looking to build stamina on undulating terrain, all while enjoying a dog-friendly adventure.
Map my run on the South Downs Way
Lace up your trainers on a dog-friendly holiday
Browse our collection of dog-friendly cottages across the UK, and pack your trainers to hit the running trails with your dog.
