Swaledale: Keld to Muker Circular

This is one of the most popular dog friendly walks in the Yorkshire Dales, earning a solid 8/10 rating. The route has plenty to keep dogs happy — river gorge paths, open hillsides and a dramatic waterfall at Kisdon Force — and both Keld and Muker have facilities to make the day comfortable for owners too.

Off-lead time on this walk is limited. Swaledale sheep graze throughout the pastures and moorland sections, so leads are the default for most of the route. During the hay growing season (late May to mid July), dogs must also be on leads and kept strictly to the flagged path through the wildflower meadows, which are a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Come prepared with a lead — you'll be using it for the majority of this walk given the grazing sheep and, in late spring and early summer, the protected hay meadows. Timing your visit outside the May to July window gives a little more flexibility in the meadow sections, though leads remain essential elsewhere. On the plus side, both villages are well set up for a post-walk stop: Muker has the Farmers Arms, tea rooms, toilets and a shop, while Keld has the Keld Lodge café for refreshments.