Pooley Bridge and Dunmallard Hill Walk

Yes, this is a genuinely dog friendly walk with a Wildpack rating of 8.5/10. The route offers plenty for dogs to enjoy — interesting woodland smells, access to water, and a varied mix of riverside, hillside and lakeshore paths. There are also several dog friendly pubs and cafes in Pooley Bridge waiting at the end.

There are opportunities for off-lead time, but it depends on where you are on the route. Dogs must be kept on a lead through the pasture sections and away from the main paths on the wooded hill, as the area sits above working farmland with sheep, and ground-nesting birds are occasionally present. The main paths through the oakwoods and along the lakeshore offer more relaxed walking, so it's worth keeping a lead handy throughout.

The terrain is manageable for most dogs — a good riverside path, a short steep climb up Dunmallard Hill, and an easy return along the lakeshore. Parking is at the pay and display car park just across the bridge in Pooley Bridge, though it fills quickly on sunny weekends, so an early start is wise. The village has public toilets, cafes and pubs, and the Ullswater Steamers pier is nearby if you fancy extending the day out on the lake.