Byreburn Forest and the Fairy Loup, Canonbie
Dumfries and Galloway
Byreburn Forest lies on the east bank of the River Esk just north of Canonbie, in the far east of Dumfries and Galloway close to the English border. Dogs can walk off lead through most of the forest, though a lead is worth keeping handy near the pavement and minor road sections and close to the waterfall itself. This 9km circuit, described by Scotland Starts Here, starts from the picnic site at Byreburnfoot and runs through woodland of tall Douglas fir to the Fairy Loup waterfall. The route crosses the line of the former North British Railway, whose viaduct over the Esk was demolished in 1987, passes the old Canonbie sawmill and gives fine views along the River Esk. It uses pavement, forest tracks, earth paths and some quiet minor road, with around 150 metres of climbing and one gate.
This is a dog friendly forest walk with plenty of variety for a dog: burnside smells, conifer shade and the tumble of the Fairy Loup. Much of the route is in woodland, where a dog with good recall can have some freedom on the tracks, but the circuit includes stretches of quiet road and pavement, so a lead is needed there, and it is worth keeping your dog close around the waterfall. The Byre Burn and the Esk give water on the way round. Parking is at the picnic site at Byreburnfoot, reached by crossing the Esk from Canonbie on the road towards Newcastleton. There are no facilities on the walk itself.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 9.0 km (5.6 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 3 hr
- Walk Type
- Forest, Waterfall, River
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Picnic site at the start; no toilets or cafe on route. Village facilities in Canonbie.
- Parking
- Picnic site car park at Byreburnfoot, just across the Esk from Canonbie.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Byreburn Forest and the Fairy Loup, Canonbie, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Keepers Cottage - Hoddom
Sleeps 2 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £543 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in Dumfries and GallowayFrequently Asked Questions
Is Byreburn Forest and the Fairy Loup, Canonbie dog friendly?
Byreburn Forest scores 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness, making it a solid choice for a day out with your dog. The 9km circuit offers plenty of variety — woodland tracks through tall Douglas fir, burnside smells and the spectacle of the Fairy Loup waterfall — and both the Byre Burn and the River Esk provide natural drinking stops along the way.
Can dogs be off lead at Byreburn Forest and the Fairy Loup, Canonbie?
Dogs can be off lead through much of the forest, and those with good recall can enjoy a decent amount of freedom on the woodland tracks. That said, the route does include stretches of pavement and quiet minor road where a lead is needed, and it's worth keeping your dog close around the Fairy Loup waterfall itself.
What should I know before visiting Byreburn Forest and the Fairy Loup, Canonbie with my dog?
The walk starts from the picnic site car park at Byreburnfoot, just across the River Esk from Canonbie on the road towards Newcastleton. There are no toilets or café on the route itself, so it's worth stocking up beforehand — village facilities are available back in Canonbie. The circuit covers around 9km with approximately 150 metres of climbing, uses a mix of surfaces including forest tracks, earth paths and minor road, and has one gate to navigate.
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