Dodd Fell and Drumaldrace from Gayle

This route is dog friendly, but it earns a 6 out of 10 rating and is best suited to experienced fell dogs rather than casual walkers with pets. It's a long, demanding day on open moorland, and the combination of remote terrain and year-round sheep grazing means it's not one to take lightly if your dog isn't used to big hill miles.

Leads are essential throughout this route. The entire horseshoe crosses sheep-grazed open access land with stock on the fell every single day of the year, so keeping your dog on a lead isn't just advisable — it's a firm requirement to respect the working landscape.

A few things are worth planning for before you set out. There's no reliable water for dogs between the valleys, so carry enough for the full day, and be aware that the moor is serious ground in poor visibility — peat groughs, featureless tops and minimal shelter make navigation skills and good conditions important. Parking is limited in Gayle itself, so most walkers use the pay and display car park in Hawes, which is a short walk away and puts you close to pubs, cafés and public toilets for before or after your walk.