Kelling Heath and Weybourne Circular Walk
Norfolk
Kelling Heath is a stretch of lowland heath, gorse and pine woodland on a low ridge above the North Norfolk coast, part of the Norfolk Coast National Landscape and a stronghold for reptiles and the silver studded blue butterfly, where a dog with reliable recall can run free since livestock is rarely met here. This 9.6km circuit starts at the Holgate Hill car park and heads through wooded permissive paths around Kelling village before dropping to a shingle bank with ponds and rough meadow. The route continues along Weybourne Hope beach, passing below the Muckleburgh Collection and Weybourne's heritage railway station, before climbing back steeply through woodland to Kelling Heath. There is around 130 metres of climbing, concentrated in a couple of short, sharp pulls, on a mix of sandy heath paths, restricted byway and shingle.
This is a dog friendly walk with long stretches of open heath where a dog with reliable recall can run freely, since livestock is rarely encountered on this route. Kelling Heath is home to adders and ground nesting birds, so keep dogs on the paths through the heather and under close control in spring and summer. The shingle beach at Weybourne Hope shelves steeply and has a strong undertow, so it suits a paddle rather than a swim for dogs. There is little shade once out on the heath or beach, so carry water in summer. Toilets are at Weybourne Hope beach car park, and there is a coffee shop and a dog friendly pub in Weybourne village. Parking at Holgate Hill is free.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 9.6 km (6.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 3 hr
- Walk Type
- Heathland, Coastal, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Toilets at Weybourne Hope beach car park; coffee shop and dog friendly pub in Weybourne village.
- Parking
- Holgate Hill car park, Kelling, free.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Kelling Heath and Weybourne Circular Walk, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in NorfolkFrequently Asked Questions
Is Kelling Heath and Weybourne Circular Walk dog friendly?
Yes, this is a well-suited walk for dogs and earns a solid 8 out of 10 on our dog friendly rating. The route combines long stretches of open heath where dogs can roam freely with a shingle beach at Weybourne Hope for a paddle, and there are toilets, a coffee shop and a dog friendly pub in Weybourne village to round off the day.
Can dogs be off lead at Kelling Heath and Weybourne Circular Walk?
Dogs with reliable recall can run freely across much of the heath, as livestock is rarely encountered on this route. That said, Kelling Heath is home to adders and ground nesting birds, so during spring and summer it's worth keeping dogs close to the paths through the heather rather than letting them range into the undergrowth.
What should I know before visiting Kelling Heath and Weybourne Circular Walk with my dog?
A few things worth bearing in mind: the shingle beach at Weybourne Hope shelves steeply and has a strong undertow, so it's better for a paddle than a swim. There's little shade on the heath or beach, so bring plenty of water on warm days. The walk is 9.6km with around 130 metres of climbing, including a couple of short, sharp ascents, so it's a good idea to know your dog's fitness before setting out.
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