Rolling green hills, timeless villages and open countryside make the Cotswolds a dream destination for dog owners. Whether you’re exploring woodland trails, scenic ridgelines or riverside paths, there’s a perfect walk here for every kind of pup. From short afternoon strolls to half-day hikes, these trails showcase the very best of what the region has to offer.
Here are some of the most rewarding dog friendly walks in the Cotswolds, each offering beautiful scenery, plenty of space to roam, and a few good spots to stop for a drink along the way.
1. Broadway Tower Circular Walk
Distance: 3.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Perched high above the village, Broadway Tower offers one of the most recognisable views in the Cotswolds. This circular route takes you through a patchwork of meadows and quiet country lanes before climbing up to the tower itself. On a clear day, you can see for miles in every direction, a treat for both you and your dog as you take in the rolling hills below.
Dogs will love the wide open fields around the tower where they can stretch their legs off lead. The return loop drops back into Broadway, a beautiful village with plenty of dog friendly cafés and pubs.
Tip: The Broadway Hotel has outdoor seating and is a great spot to rest tired paws.
2. Cleeve Hill Common
Distance: 4 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
As the highest point in the Cotswolds, Cleeve Hill delivers some of the area’s best views. The walk starts on open grassland before following a section of the Cotswold Way along the escarpment. It feels wonderfully wild and exposed, perfect for energetic dogs who love a good sprint.
The landscape here is dotted with limestone outcrops, wildflowers and grazing sheep, so leads are sometimes necessary, but there is still plenty of room for freedom.
Tip: Visit early morning or late afternoon for softer light and fewer crowds.
3. Bourton-on-the-Water to Lower Slaughter
Distance: 3 miles (one way)
Difficulty: Easy
If you are looking for a peaceful, easy going stroll, this riverside walk is hard to beat. Following the River Windrush between two postcard-perfect villages, it offers a blend of shady paths, stone bridges and gentle countryside. The slow pace and flat terrain make it ideal for dogs of all ages, from puppies to older companions.
Along the way, your dog can paddle in the shallow river sections or rest beneath the trees while you enjoy the sound of flowing water. The route finishes in Lower Slaughter, where time feels like it has stood still.
Tip: Stop at The Slaughters Country Inn for a coffee and some water for your dog before looping back.
4. Stanton to Snowshill Circular
Distance: 5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
This route feels like stepping into a storybook. Starting in the pretty village of Stanton, the trail climbs gently through rolling farmland before weaving through quiet woodland and emerging into Snowshill. The views of the surrounding hills are spectacular, particularly in spring when the meadows burst with colour.
Dogs will love the changing terrain, from grassy meadows to shaded forest tracks. There are a few stiles along the way but nothing too tricky for most breeds.
Tip: Pause at the Snowshill Arms before looping back, it is a local favourite and very dog friendly.
5. Winchcombe to Belas Knap Long Barrow
Distance: 4.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Winchcombe is a classic Cotswold town surrounded by some of the area’s most beautiful walking country. This route takes you up gentle hillsides to reach Belas Knap, a 5,000 year old Neolithic burial mound perched high above the valley. The walk offers a mix of shaded lanes, open ridges and quiet farmland.
Dogs will enjoy the variety, from soft grassy paths to interesting woodland scents. The views from the top are exceptional, especially looking down toward Sudeley Castle.
Tip: Bring a lead for the middle stretch through sheep pastures.
6. Crickley Hill and the Cotswold Way
Distance: 2.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Crickley Hill is one of the most accessible and rewarding short walks in the Cotswolds. The circular route takes you along sections of the Cotswold Way, mixing open limestone grassland with pockets of ancient woodland. It is the perfect walk for dogs who enjoy variety, a sniff in the trees one minute and an open sprint the next.
The views from the top stretch out toward the Severn Valley, and on clear days you can see as far as Wales. With its wide, well marked paths and picnic spots, it is ideal for families too.
Tip: Stop at the National Trust café for a slice of cake and some water for your pup.
7. Painswick Beacon
Distance: 3 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Painswick Beacon combines history and scenery in one easy to reach package. The trail climbs steadily to the site of an Iron Age hill fort, where the grassy summit provides space for dogs to run and explore. The views are breathtaking, with rolling farmland to one side and the Severn Valley to the other.
The route loops through a mix of woodland and open grassland, keeping things interesting for curious noses. It is a great choice for dogs with good recall and owners looking for a quick, rewarding outing.
Tip: Visit just before sunset for peaceful trails and golden light over the hills.
8. Leckhampton Hill and Charlton Kings Common
Distance: 6 miles
Difficulty: Hard
For a more challenging route, this hike up Leckhampton Hill offers steep climbs and rewarding views across Cheltenham and beyond. The trail joins a rugged section of the Cotswold escarpment, weaving through ancient woodland before opening up to vast limestone grasslands. It is one of the best spots in the region for panoramic views.
Dogs will love the mix of open space and wooded trails, though leads are advised in the steeper sections and where livestock graze. There are a few tricky climbs, but the payoff is worth it.
Tip: Bring water for both you and your dog as there are no facilities once you set off.
9. Cotswold Way: Birdlip to Painswick
Distance: 7.5 miles
Difficulty: Hard
This section of the Cotswold Way is ideal for fit walkers and dogs who can handle a longer day out. The path rolls through ancient beech woodland, open ridges and farmland, offering some of the most varied terrain in the region. Expect steady climbs and stunning views along the escarpment before descending into the picturesque village of Painswick.
There are several off lead sections where dogs can enjoy a good run, but leads are needed through the livestock areas. The combination of distance and elevation makes it one of the most rewarding full day walks in the Cotswolds.
Tip: Park in Painswick and arrange a lift or taxi back to Birdlip for an easy finish.
Map of Dog-Friendly Walks Across the Cotswolds
Use our handy map to explore each of these routes, simply click the pins to get more information and directions to the nearest safe parking place.
A longer trail through beech woodland and open ridges with some steep climbs and rewarding views. Great for fit, active dogs and full-day hikes.
Distance: 7.5 miles / 12.1 km
Difficulty: Hard
Off Lead Possibility: Some
Parking Availability: Yes
A challenging hill route combining steep climbs, wooded paths and escarpment views. Perfect for fit dogs that love adventure and elevation.
Distance: 6 miles / 9.6 km
Difficulty: Hard
Off Lead Possibility: Some
Parking Availability: Yes
Historic hill fort walk offering panoramic views and open grassy space for dogs to run. Mix of woodland paths and open hillsides.
Distance: 3 miles / 4.8 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Off Lead Possibility: Lots
Parking Availability: Yes
Short, rewarding circular route mixing beech woodland and open grassland with views over the Severn Valley. Shady spots and wide paths make it ideal for families with dogs.
Distance: 2.5 miles / 4.0 km
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Off Lead Possibility: Lots
Parking Availability: Yes
Historic hill walk leading to a 5,000-year-old burial mound with open countryside and panoramic views. Ideal for energetic dogs who enjoy varied terrain.
Distance: 4.5 miles / 7.2 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Off Lead Possibility: Some
Parking Availability: Yes
Peaceful countryside route linking Stanton and Snowshill through farmland and woodland with classic Cotswold views. Great variety for dogs that like to explore.
Distance: 5 miles / 8.0 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Off Lead Possibility: Lots
Parking Availability: Yes
Gentle riverside walk following the River Windrush between two picturesque villages. Flat terrain and shady sections ideal for dogs of all ages.
Distance: 3 miles / 4.8 km
Difficulty: Easy
Off Lead Possibility: Some
Parking Availability: Yes
Wide open ridge walk along the highest point in the Cotswolds with stunning views and room for dogs to run. Mix of grassland and limestone outcrops with grazing sheep.
Distance: 4 miles / 6.4 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Off Lead Possibility: Some
Parking Availability: Yes
A scenic loop through meadows and quiet country lanes leading up to Broadway Tower with sweeping views across the Cotswolds. Great mix of open fields and village charm for dogs to explore.
Distance: 3.5 miles / 5.6 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Off Lead Possibility: Lots
Parking Availability: Yes
Looking to explore even more dog friendly locations across the UK? The Wildpack Map is our curated map of the best hikes, campsites, road trips and other points of interest for dog owners across the UK.
Before You Go
- Keep dogs on leads around livestock.
- Carry water, especially on warmer days.
- Pack the essential dog hiking gear for longer routes.
- Check local parking before setting off, as village car parks can fill up fast.
- Respect the countryside and always pick up after your dog.
What’s Nearby
If you’re planning a longer stay or a few days of exploring, the Cotswolds sits within easy reach of several other brilliant dog friendly destinations. These nearby guides pair well with a Cotswolds base and make it easy to build out a wider itinerary.
- Dog friendly walks in the Forest of Dean – Ancient woodland, river valleys and sculpture trails just to the west, offering a very different feel to the Cotswolds’ rolling hills
- Dog friendly walks in the Wye Valley – Dramatic viewpoints, riverside paths and quieter woodland walks along the English-Welsh border
- Dog friendly campsites in the Cotswolds – Perfect if you are exploring by campervan or want a base close to the trails
- The Atlantic Highway Road Trip – Link the Cotswolds with neighbouring regions for a longer, dog-first adventure
Final Thoughts
The Cotswolds has an unbeatable mix of landscapes for dog owners, from gentle riverside paths to high ridges, forest trails and miles of open countryside. Whether you are chasing big views at Broadway Tower or enjoying a lazy stroll through Bourton on the Water, every walk feels like a little slice of rural escape.
So next time you are planning a day out, grab your boots, clip on the lead and head into the hills. These dog friendly walks in the Cotswolds prove that adventure does not need to be far away. Sometimes it is waiting just beyond the next village green.