Horseshoe Falls and the Llangollen Canal
Denbighshire
The Llangollen Canal towpath runs west from Llangollen Wharf along the wooded Dee Valley to the Horseshoe Falls, a curved weir on the River Dee designed by Thomas Telford and completed in 1808 to feed the canal with a constant water supply. Dogs stay on a lead the whole way, since the path runs close to the water and horse-drawn boats still use this stretch in season. The falls, the canal and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct further downstream together make up the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site. This out and back walk covers around 3.2km each way on a flat, hard surfaced towpath with river views through the trees, passing the Chainbridge Hotel where the path briefly shares a roadway. There is very little climbing throughout.
This is an easy dog friendly walk on level, hard going that suits any dog, and the towpath has no stiles to negotiate. Dogs should stay on a lead close to the water's edge and around the horse-drawn boats and other canal traffic, and livestock is sometimes met in the fields alongside the final stretch to the falls, so keep control there too. At the falls the bank turns to grass and riverbank, and a dog can take a dip in a quiet spot, though the current above the weir is stronger than it looks. There is little shade on the open towpath, so bring water on a warm day. Llangollen Wharf has pay and display parking, toilets and dog-friendly cafes nearby.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 6.4 km (4.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 50 min
- Walk Type
- Canal, River, Historic
- Route Type
- Out and Back
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Toilets at Llangollen Wharf; cafes and dog-friendly pubs in Llangollen town nearby; none directly on the towpath.
- Parking
- Llangollen Wharf car park or nearby town centre car parks, Denbighshire County Council, pay and display.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Horseshoe Falls and the Llangollen Canal, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in DenbighshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Horseshoe Falls and the Llangollen Canal dog friendly?
Yes, this is a well-suited walk for dogs, earning a solid 8/10 on our dog friendly rating. The towpath is flat, hard surfaced and free of stiles, making it accessible for dogs of any size or age. There are dog-friendly cafes and pubs in nearby Llangollen, and a quiet spot at Horseshoe Falls where your dog can take a paddle at the end of the walk.
Can dogs be off lead at Horseshoe Falls and the Llangollen Canal?
Dogs need to stay on a lead for the whole walk. The towpath runs close to the water's edge, horse-drawn boats still use this stretch of canal in season, and you may encounter livestock in the fields alongside the final approach to the falls. At the falls themselves the bank opens up to grass and riverbank, but keep in mind the current above the weir is stronger than it looks, so take care if your dog goes in for a dip.
What should I know before visiting Horseshoe Falls and the Llangollen Canal with my dog?
The walk is around 3.2km each way on a flat, mostly open towpath, so bring water for your dog on warm days as there's little shade along the route. Parking is available at Llangollen Wharf (pay and display), where you'll also find toilets, with cafes and pubs in the town nearby. There are no facilities directly on the towpath itself, so it's worth sorting food, water and a comfort stop before you set off.
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