Guisborough Forest and Walkway
North Yorkshire
Guisborough Forest and Walkway lies on the edge of the North York Moors between Guisborough and the Teesside plain, a mixed conifer and broadleaf forest planted over older woodland with a history of ironstone mining and a former railway line running through it. Dogs are welcome throughout, and the well-surfaced paths near the visitor centre give a dog real freedom off the lead, though the ground gets rougher towards the heather moorland fringe near the Hanging Stone. The Harrison Close Trail, an easy waymarked route of around 30 minutes, passes old mining ruins and remnants of the forest's rail history on its way through the trees, with the ground rising towards the prominent sandstone outcrop of the Hanging Stone and open heather moorland at the forest's upper edge. Longer options include a waymarked Wellbeing Trail and the Blue Lake cycle route, which climbs further for views across the Tees Valley.
This is a dog friendly forest where dogs are welcome throughout, with plenty of scent among the mixed woodland floor and old workings. The paths near the visitor centre are well surfaced and level, while the ground gets rougher and steeper towards the moorland fringe, so keep an eye on a dog that likes to range ahead near the Hanging Stone. There is no livestock confirmed on the main forest trails. A cafe, picnic areas and toilets are at the visitor centre, with a pay and display car park, and fires, barbecues and camping stoves are not permitted anywhere in the forest because of the fire risk.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 2.0 km (1.2 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 35 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Cafe, picnic areas and toilets at the visitor centre.
- Parking
- Pay and display car park at the Guisborough Forest and Walkway visitor centre.
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All dog friendly hotels in Redcar and ClevelandFrequently Asked Questions
Is Guisborough Forest and Walkway dog friendly?
Yes, it scores 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness. Guisborough Forest and Walkway is a mixed woodland on the edge of the North York Moors with a cafe, toilets and picnic areas at the visitor centre, and dogs are welcome throughout. The main caveat is the rougher, steeper ground towards the moorland fringe near the Hanging Stone.
Can dogs be off lead at Guisborough Forest and Walkway?
There is moderate off-lead potential on the forest's waymarked trails, particularly the well-surfaced paths near the visitor centre. The ground becomes rougher and steeper towards the heather moorland at the forest's upper edge, so keep a dog that ranges ahead in view near the Hanging Stone. No livestock is confirmed on the main trails.
What should I know before visiting Guisborough Forest and Walkway with my dog?
The Harrison Close Trail is an easy, roughly 30 minute route passing old mining ruins and the forest's former railway line. There is a cafe, picnic areas and toilets at the visitor centre, with a pay and display car park. Fires, barbecues and camping stoves are banned throughout the forest due to fire risk.
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Guisborough Forest and Walkway Visitor Centre, Newton Road, Pinchinthorpe, Guisborough, North Yorkshire TS14 8HD
54.5289, -1.0981
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