Coquetdale: Alwinton to Barrowburn

Yes, this is a lovely route for dogs, earning a 7/10 dog-friendly rating on Wildpack. The walk follows the River Coquet all the way from Alwinton to Barrowburn, giving dogs plenty of river access along the route, and the quiet single-track lane and riverside paths mean minimal traffic to worry about.

Dogs need to be kept on a short lead for almost the entire route, as this is active hill-sheep country with grazing year round. Lead discipline is especially important in spring during lambing season, so it's worth planning accordingly if you're visiting between late winter and early summer.

The underfoot conditions are straightforward — a quiet lane, grass riverside path, and a couple of stock-fenced stiles — but there are one or two ford crossings depending on water levels, so be prepared for wet paws. There's free parking and toilets at the Northumberland National Park car park in Alwinton, a pub at the Rose and Thistle, and a seasonal honesty-shop café at Barrowburn farmstead if you want to turn it into a proper day out.