Aros Park and Tobermory Coastal Circuit
Argyll and Bute
Aros Park is a former estate woodland on the southern edge of Tobermory, now looked after by Forestry and Land Scotland. Dogs can enjoy this coastal path off lead, though care is needed near the steep drops and the many steps, and the picnic area at Aros gets busy. This 5.5km walk starts from the Ledaig car park at the end of the harbour front, climbs behind the Taigh Solais building for views back over the brightly painted houses, then follows a coastal path through old Scots pines. It passes the Sput Dubh cascade, then zig-zags down steps to a footbridge below the main Aros waterfall, which thunders into the sea after rain. From there the route loops round Loch a'Ghurrabain, covered in waterlilies in summer, before returning along the outward path. There is 142 metres of climbing, with steep sections, flights of steps and muddy patches.
This dog friendly walk has no livestock in the woods and moderate off-lead potential once you are clear of the town. The coastal path has a steep drop on one side in places, so keep excitable dogs close there, and on a lead around the busier Aros car park, play area and picnic spots. The burns and the lochan give plenty of chances for a drink, and the tree cover gives shade. FLS began felling in part of the park on 31 August 2026, with short daytime closures of the coastal link while work is under way, so check signs before you set off. Toilets are at Taigh Solais by the start.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 5.5 km (3.4 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Waterfall, Coastal
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Toilets at Taigh Solais by Ledaig car park and near Aros car park (FLS); cafes, pubs and shops in Tobermory.
- Parking
- Ledaig car park at the south end of Tobermory harbour front; FLS Aros Park car park (charged) off the A848 is an alternative start.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Aros Park and Tobermory Coastal Circuit, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Shepherds Cottage - Loch Linnhe
Sleeps 6 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £478 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in Argyll and ButeFrequently Asked Questions
Is Aros Park and Tobermory Coastal Circuit dog friendly?
Yes, this is a well-suited walk for dogs and earns a solid 8 out of 10 on our dog-friendly rating. The former estate woodland has no livestock, there are plenty of burns and a lochan for drinking and splashing, and the tree cover provides welcome shade on warmer days. Tobermory itself has cafes, pubs and shops nearby, so it works well as part of a wider day out with your dog.
Can dogs be off lead at Aros Park and Tobermory Coastal Circuit?
There is good off-lead potential once you are clear of the town and into the woodland, with no livestock to worry about in the woods. That said, the coastal path has steep drops in places, so it's worth keeping excitable dogs close there, and leads are advisable around the busier Aros car park, play area and picnic spots. The route is described as having moderate off-lead potential overall, so it suits dogs with a reliable recall best.
What should I know before visiting Aros Park and Tobermory Coastal Circuit with my dog?
The 5.5km route involves 142 metres of climbing, steep sections, flights of steps and muddy patches, so it's worth knowing what you and your dog are signing up for. Forestry and Land Scotland began felling work in part of the park on 31 August 2026, which may cause short daytime closures of the coastal link, so check signs on arrival before you set out. Toilets are available at Taigh Solais near the Ledaig car park start, and there's an alternative start from the FLS Aros Park car park off the A848 if that suits you better.
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