We are a nation of dog lovers – as of 2024, 36% of UK households own at least one dog, translating to roughly 13.5 million pet dogs across the country. This is an increase of 1.5 million pet pups from 2023!
With so many households registering their new pet pooches, it comes as no surprise that the UK pet care market is seeing consistent growth year-on-year. Recent statistics show that annual pet-related product expenditure has risen as high as £9.89 billion in recent years.
Showing our four-legged friends love and affection by buying them toys, treats and more is clearly important to us – but when was the last time you treated your pooch to a truly great walk? 75% of UK owners think they walk more after getting their dog and, on average, our precious pooches enjoy a 48-minute walk, six times a week.
But, be honest: how often do you walk the same route with your pup? Do you get bored of seeing the same scenery and posting the same walk to your socials?
Dog-friendly Lake District hotel, Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa, has the answer! The hotel has revealed the top 10 most Instagrammable dog walks in the UK, ranking some of the best dog-friendly AllTrails locations by their Instagram popularity. Discover your new favourite dog walks that are as good for your pooch as they are for your Insta feed!
Kicking off our top 10 list is the beautiful Dovestone Reservoir. Located just outside Oldham, near Greater Manchester, this particular dog-friendly route takes you past three lovely reservoirs in the Greenfield Valley: Yeoman Hey, Greenfield and Dovestone.
Skirting the edge of the Peak District National Park, this 13.5km circular route is challenging in spots – but if you can make it up along Dovestone Edge, you’ll be rewarded with truly spectacular views. Remember to take a snap of the sparkling waters of the reservoirs and purple swathes of heather sweeping across the moorlands, plus some of your pup exploring the various streams along the way.
Be aware that this route includes some scrambling – be mindful of your dog’s ability. Please do not attempt to climb the Trinnacle – this rock formation is striking to look at but very dangerous to climb.
Next up is the charming Rydal Water and Rydal Cave circular route. Spanning 5.1km, this fairly challenging walk takes you through the truly stunning landscape of Grasmere, Cumbria, alongside the idyllic Rydal Water.
Your pooch will love exploring the local woods and rolling hillsides as you head past the sparkling River Rothay and on to Rydal Cave. This man-made cave came about as a result of slate quarrying and makes for an especially interesting photo opportunity with its jagged slate walls and overhangs. You and your dog can even journey further into the cave by following a set of rustic stepping stones.
Parts of this trail border a busy road, so remember to keep your four-legged friend on a lead when necessary.
One of the most famous waterfalls in the Lake District, Aira Force’s breathtaking 65-foot drop makes for a truly incredible photo opportunity. Your dog will love the journey to the waterfall, with plenty of space to run and jump through the rolling hills and fells, as well as some shallow stream areas to explore.
This circular 6.9km trail also leads you to the summit of Gowbarrow Fell, revealing gorgeous views of the surrounding fells and mountains. If it’s a clear day, you should be able to see the calming vista of Ullswater in the distance. You’ll also stroll past the Memorial Seat viewpoint (providing another incredible photo opportunity) and the rustic remains of an old hunting lodge.
For your dog’s safety, keep them on a lead at all times. Some of the streams have strong currents – especially close to the waterfall.
Located near Leek in Staffordshire, this circular 13.4km route welcomes well-behaved pooches on leads. The Roaches are an impressive collection of craggy rocks within the Dark Peak of the Staffordshire Peak District National Park.
The rocks themselves feature pretty striations, perfect for the grid, while the surrounding view of rolling green hills is truly breathtaking. This particular route also takes you past the wonderfully named Hen Cloud, meaning ‘steep rock’. Brave adventurers can stand at the edge of Hen Cloud to get the perfect panoramic shot.
Lovers of legends and their loyal companions will love exploring Doxey Pool – said to be home to a vengeful mermaid known as ‘Wicked Jenny’ – and Lud’s Church, linked to the story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Remember to take some snaps of your dog enjoying a paddle in the shallow waters!
Dogs must be kept on leads at all times during this walk. Extreme care is advised when climbing Hen Cloud or any of the other rock formations.
Our next trail begins in the beautiful village of Brockenhurst in leafy Hampshire, taking you through the stunning natural beauty of the New Forest National Park. The perfect spot for animal-lovers, the New Forest is home to free-roaming donkeys, deer, cows and ponies, making your walk amongst the trees extra special.
A photo of your beloved pooch taking in the majesty of the New Forest next to some donkeys or horses is sure to look great on Instagram! As this trail is another circular journey, you can finish your day in quaint Brockenhurst, which boasts a number of dog-friendly cafés, pubs and tearooms.
Dogs who become nervous or defensive around other animals, such as deer or horses, should be kept on a lead in the New Forest.
Found near the picturesque village of Malham in North Yorkshire, you might recognise Malham Cove from films such as the 1992 adaptation of Wuthering Heights and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1). The incredibly photogenic location features impressive limestone formations formed during the Ice Age by a waterfall.
Another circular trail, this one is 8km in length, taking you past beautiful waterfalls, striking cliffs and arresting ravines. The cove itself is truly atmospheric – ideal for a couple of photographs of you and your four-legged friend enjoying the journey.
Watch out for livestock and uneven terrain during your walk. The limestone pavement above Malham Cove may be cracked and uneven, so ensure you and your dog take care.
One for the adventurers among us, the Catbells is a popular fell found in the Lake District, with a height of 451 metres. Despite it being one of the smaller elevations in the Lakes, this walk does include some short scrambles to reach the summit. But, if you can make it up there, the spectacular views are more than worth it.
This 5.8km trail gives your pooch plenty of chance to roam, with endless, open terrain and wide trails. They can also have fun climbing up and down the rocky patches along the way, while you can snap some perfect panoramic photos once you reach the summit. Expect views of glass-like lakes, breathtaking mountains and sometimes moody skies.
Be aware of free-roaming sheep on this trail, as well as your dog’s ability to manage scrambles. It is not advised to attempt this trail during windy conditions.
This 7.4km trail near Buttermere in beautiful Cumbria clocks in at number three on our list. Skirting the edge of lake Buttermere, this route offers plenty of photo opportunities, from the majestic surrounding mountains and sweeping views of the lake itself, to rocky streams and even the odd sheep or two!
Your pup is sure to love exploring the banks of the lake after making new friends in the form of the free-roaming cows that can be found along this route. Remember to snap a few photos of the adorable ducks on the lake before heading into the nearby village of Buttermere for a bite to eat.
Dogs must be kept on a lead on this trail. Watch out for roaming livestock along the paths.
In at number two is the spectacular Mam Tor, in the Hope Valley near Derbyshire. Those who complete this challenging trail route through the Peak District National Park will be rewarded with atmospheric panoramic views from the summit of Mam Tor.
If your loyal companion loves the chance to get muddy, this is the perfect walk for them! With a brick path that reminds us of the famous Yellow Brick Road from The Wizard of Oz, this route also has plenty of wide walkways and grassy hills for your dog to explore.
Take some snaps of the breathtaking views at the summit and then head to the nearby Castleton for a well-earned rest at one of their dog-friendly pubs or cafés.
Topping our list of Instagram-worthy dog walks is the lovely Derwentwater in the Lake District! This 15.3km trail takes you around the glittering gem that is Derwentwater lake, offering truly breathtaking views of the shimmering water with plenty of opportunities for your pup to run, jump and explore.
Keep an eye out for the Centenary Stone half-submerged in the water – commemorating 100 years of the National Trust – as well as Brackenburn, a country house that was once home to the prolific novelist Sir Hugh Walpole, CBE.
See if you can spot any climbers trying their hand at Shepherd’s Crag and take a stroll through Brandelhow Park to see the wooden sculpture of two cupped hands, commemorating the centenary of the National Trust’s first Lake District land purchase. Well-behaved dogs can even enjoy a ferry trip across the expanse of Derwentwater itself for an extra-special day out!
This circular trail will take you back into the beautiful town of Keswick with its wealth of dog-friendly pubs and cafés, where you and your pooch can reward yourselves with a delicious bite to eat and a refreshing drink.
Always keep an eye on your dog near water, especially if they aren’t a confident swimmer.
With so many incredible dog-friendly, Instagram-worthy walks across the UK, which one will you try first? Remember to post your photographs on Instagram and tag your locations to let others know where you captured your gorgeous snaps!
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