Dolaucothi Estate Trail from the Gold Mines
Carmarthenshire
The Dolaucothi Estate at Pumsaint in the upper Cothi valley is home to the only known Roman gold mines in Britain, and the National Trust looks after around 25km of waymarked trails across its woods and farmland. The red waymarked Estate Trail, walked on the lead by dogs for most of its length, is a 7.2km circuit from the Woodland car park, opposite the Gold Mines. It crosses the River Cothi and passes the wall of the old walled garden and the lawn where Dolaucothi mansion once stood, then climbs steeply through woodland and fields to the trig point at 282 metres, the highest point on the estate, with a wide view over the Cothi valley, the mines and Pumsaint. The return drops very steeply to follow the river before running along an old railway route into Pumsaint. Expect around 200 metres of climbing on sloping grass, woodland paths, stony tracks and lanes, with a 350m stretch of road without a pavement at the end. The Trust grades it challenging.
This dog friendly walk is a lead walk: the National Trust welcomes dogs on leads on its Dolaucothi trails. The upper section passes through several farm gates and fields, so livestock is likely. The River Cothi gives your dog a drink on the valley floor, which turns very muddy in winter, and the woods offer shade on the climbs. Water bowls are put out in the mine yard, and there are dog waste bins in both car parks.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 7.2 km (4.5 miles)
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Duration
- 3 hr
- Walk Type
- Woodland, River, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Dolaucothi Gold Mines visitor facilities; water bowls for dogs in the mine yard; dog waste bins in both car parks.
- Parking
- Dolaucothi Woodland car park, National Trust, opposite the Gold Mines car park at Pumsaint.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Dolaucothi Estate Trail from the Gold Mines, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Maesydderwen Holiday Cottages - Owl Cottage
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £543 / 7 nights
Bramble Cottage Mountain Retreat
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £657 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in CarmarthenshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Dolaucothi Estate Trail from the Gold Mines dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome on the National Trust's Dolaucothi Estate trails, and the red waymarked Estate Trail is a solid choice for a dog walk — it earns a 7/10 rating on Wildpack. There are water bowls put out for dogs in the mine yard, and dog waste bins are provided in both car parks, so the basics are well catered for.
Can dogs be off lead at Dolaucothi Estate Trail from the Gold Mines?
This is a lead walk throughout most of its 7.2km length, as required by the National Trust on its Dolaucothi trails. The upper section passes through several farm gates and fields where livestock is likely, so keeping your dog on the lead is especially important there.
What should I know before visiting Dolaucothi Estate Trail from the Gold Mines with my dog?
The National Trust grades this route as challenging — it involves around 200 metres of climbing across sloping grass, woodland paths, stony tracks and lanes, with a very steep descent back to the valley floor, so it's worth making sure your dog is up for that. The valley bottom gets very muddy in winter, and there's a 350-metre stretch of road without a pavement near the end, so keep hold of the lead there. On the plus side, the River Cothi offers your dog a drink on the way round, and the woods provide welcome shade on the climbs.
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