Conwy Mountain Circular
Conwy
Conwy Mountain, Mynydd y Dref in Welsh, rises to 244 metres above the walled town, the northernmost outpost of the Carneddau range. Dogs can go off lead in the lower woods around Coedwig Bodlondeb, then back on a lead on the open ridge, where ponies and sheep graze. A circular walk from the town centre takes in the town walls, harbour and this woodland before climbing to the summit, covering around 8km with 279 metres of ascent in three hours. The summit is capped by Castell Caer Seion, an Iron Age hillfort whose stone walled enclosure once held over fifty hut circles and platform houses, plus a defended citadel; 1951 excavations found slingstones, querns and stone pestles and mortars. From the top the view takes in Conwy town and castle, the Great Orme to the north, Conwy Bay and the Carneddau foothills, and the North Wales Path crosses the summit towards Sychnant Pass.
This is a dog friendly walk, but wild ponies and sheep graze freely on the open hillside, so dogs are best kept on a lead once clear of the town streets. The lower woodland around Bodlondeb gives some shade, while the ridge itself is open and exposed with little cover, so carry water on a warm day. The climb from sea level is sustained rather than technical, and underfoot moves from town pavements to heather and rocky outcrops higher up. Conwy town has plenty of cafes and dog-friendly pubs to finish at, and the walk suits anyone wanting a proper hill day without leaving town on foot.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 8.0 km (5.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr 50 min
- Walk Type
- Moorland, Historic, Coastal
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Cafes and dog-friendly pubs in Conwy town at the start and finish; nothing on the ridge itself.
- Parking
- Pay and display car parks in Conwy town centre, Conwy County Borough Council.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Conwy Mountain Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in ConwyFrequently Asked Questions
Is Conwy Mountain Circular dog friendly?
Yes, this walk scores 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The route climbs from Conwy town through woodland to an open ridge with big views, and Conwy itself has plenty of dog-friendly cafes and pubs to finish at. The main caveat is that wild ponies and sheep graze the open hillside, so a lead is sensible for most of the climb.
Can dogs be off lead at Conwy Mountain Circular?
There is some off-lead potential on the lower woodland paths around Coedwig Bodlondeb, but once you reach the open ridge, ponies and sheep graze freely across the hillside, so a lead is the safer choice for a dog with anything less than excellent recall for most of the ascent and summit area.
What should I know before visiting Conwy Mountain Circular with my dog?
The full circuit covers around 8km with 279 metres of climbing, so allow close to three hours including a stop at the top. There are several pay and display car parks in Conwy town near the start, and the ridge is open and exposed with little shade, so bring water for your dog even on a mild day.
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