Hamsterley Forest Redway Trail
County Durham
The Redway is Hamsterley Forest's mid-length waymarked trail, a rolling loop through mixed oak and conifer plantation with moss-lined burns, shafts of light through the canopy and a handful of sculpture encounters along the way. It is a solidly dog friendly walk: wide forest roads let dogs stretch their legs, the trails are well-drained and there is a feeling of safe containment between the trees that suits nervous dogs and young puppies alike.
Off-lead opportunities are good on the broader forest tracks but watch for bikes, horses and other dogs on shared sections, and lead up near the visitor hub. There is no open livestock grazing within the forest itself, though you may meet deer and red squirrels. Bedburn is the main car park with toilets, a cafe and bike hire, and pay-and-display charges apply at all five forest car parks.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 6.0 km (3.7 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 1 hr 45 min
- Walk Type
- Forest, Woodland, River
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Cafe, toilets, bike hire and play area at the visitor hub near Bedburn.
- Parking
- Pay-and-display car parks at Bedburn and four smaller forest car parks, cash or card.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hamsterley Forest Redway Trail dog friendly?
The Redway Trail is a great choice for dogs, earning a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Wide forest roads give dogs plenty of room to move, the trails are well-drained underfoot, and the enclosed feel of the woodland is particularly well-suited to nervous dogs or young puppies still finding their feet.
Can dogs be off lead at Hamsterley Forest Redway Trail?
Off-lead opportunities are good along the broader forest tracks, and there is no open livestock grazing within the forest itself. That said, the trails are shared with cyclists and horses, so it's worth keeping an eye out and popping leads on in busier sections or near the visitor hub at Bedburn.
What should I know before visiting Hamsterley Forest Redway Trail with my dog?
There are five pay-and-display car parks across the forest, with the main one at Bedburn offering toilets, a cafe and bike hire nearby — handy for a post-walk coffee. While there's no livestock to worry about, you may encounter deer and red squirrels on the trail, so it's worth bearing that in mind if your dog has a strong chase instinct. Parking is cash or card, so either works.
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