Great Orme Marine Drive Circuit
Conwy
The Great Orme is a limestone headland rising 207 metres above Llandudno, holding Country Park, Local Nature Reserve, SSSI, Special Area of Conservation and Heritage Coast designations. A resident herd of around 120 wild Kashmiri goats roams close to Marine Drive, so dogs are best kept on a lead rather than let loose near them. Marine Drive, one of its seven official routes, is a 4 mile toll road circling the headland at clifftop level, passing the 1862 lighthouse, the Rest and Be Thankful Cafe halfway round, and views to the Little Orme and Penrhyn Bay. Walkers and cyclists use the road free while cars pay a toll, and the tarmac surface is almost flat throughout, suiting shoes and a pushchair. Guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and choughs nest on the cliffs, and grey seals are seen on the rocks below.
This is a dog friendly circuit, though the shared road and a resident herd of around 120 wild Kashmiri goats mean off-lead freedom is limited. The goats are used to people, but they should not be fed, dogs should be kept on a lead nearby, and extra space given to the billies during the autumn rut. Cars do use Marine Drive, so a dog is safer on a lead near the road edge, though traffic is light. There is little shade on the open headland, so bring water for a dog, and the Rest and Be Thankful Cafe partway round makes a good stop. Ground nesting seabirds mean dogs should stay close to the path near the cliff edges in spring.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 6.4 km (4.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 2 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Coastal, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Rest and Be Thankful Cafe roughly halfway round Marine Drive; toilets near the toll gates.
- Parking
- Pay and display parking near the Marine Drive toll gates at West Shore or North Shore, Conwy County Borough Council.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Great Orme Marine Drive Circuit, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in ConwyFrequently Asked Questions
Is Great Orme Marine Drive Circuit dog friendly?
Yes, Great Orme Marine Drive Circuit is a great option for dogs, earning a solid 8/10 on our dog friendly rating. The 4-mile tarmac circuit is almost completely flat, making it an easy walk, and the Rest and Be Thankful Cafe roughly halfway round is a handy stop for a breather. Just be aware that leads are strongly recommended throughout.
Can dogs be off lead at Great Orme Marine Drive Circuit?
Off-lead freedom is quite limited here, so it's best to keep your dog on the lead for most of the route. A resident herd of around 120 wild Kashmiri goats roams close to Marine Drive, and dogs should be kept on a lead near them — give the billies extra space during the autumn rut in particular. Cars do use the toll road, and in spring, ground-nesting seabirds near the cliff edges are another reason to keep your dog close.
What should I know before visiting Great Orme Marine Drive Circuit with my dog?
The route is tarmac and almost flat throughout, so it suits most dogs and owners well, but the open headland offers little shade, so bring water for your dog especially in warmer weather. The wild Kashmiri goats are used to people but should not be fed, and dogs must be kept on a lead nearby. Grey seals can sometimes be spotted on the rocks below the cliffs, and seabirds including guillemots, razorbills and choughs nest on the cliffsides, so it's worth keeping dogs to the path near the edges in spring. Parking is pay and display near the Marine Drive toll gates at West Shore or North Shore, and walkers use the road free while cars pay a toll.
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