Lochore Meadows Country Park Loch Circuit
Fife
Lochore Meadows Country Park, near Lochgelly in west Fife, was created from old mining pits and spoil heaps, and more than a million trees have been planted here since the 1970s as part of a wider scheme to restore derelict land. Dogs can walk off lead on this loop, though a lead helps around the anglers' lines and the nature reserve. The winding wheel of an old coal mine still stands near the Park Centre. This 5.3km route follows the blue waymarked trail, the longest in the park, anticlockwise around Loch Ore. It passes fishing platforms along the water, joins a surfaced cycleway through woodland at the north end, then skirts the nature reserve and crosses the inflow before following the shore with views across to Benarty Hill. The last section crosses the top of a field and The Clune, an area of grassland and heath with Bronze Age archaeological features, then returns through Garry Park Wood. There are only 10 metres of climbing on well made paths suitable for all-terrain buggies.
This dog friendly walk is a flat, easy hour that suits dogs of every age. There is moderate off-lead potential on the woodland sections for a dog with good recall, but the loch is busy with anglers, sailors and wildfowl, so keep your dog close near the fishing platforms and the nature reserve. The field and The Clune are reached through double gates, so check for grazing stock before letting your dog off. The Park Centre by the car park has toilets and a cafe.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 5.3 km (3.3 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 25 min
- Walk Type
- Lake, Park, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Park Centre with toilets and cafe by the start (cafe dog policy not confirmed); wildlife hide on route.
- Parking
- Car park at the Park Centre, Lochore Meadows Country Park, signed off the B920 south of Lochore.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Lochore Meadows Country Park Loch Circuit, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in FifeFrequently Asked Questions
Is Lochore Meadows Country Park Loch Circuit dog friendly?
Yes, Lochore Meadows Country Park Loch Circuit is a great choice for dog owners, earning a solid 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The 5.3km loop around Loch Ore follows well-made paths that are suitable for dogs of all ages, and the flat, easy terrain means it works well for older or less mobile dogs too. There's a Park Centre with toilets and a cafe at the start, though the cafe's dog policy hasn't been confirmed.
Can dogs be off lead at Lochore Meadows Country Park Loch Circuit?
Dogs can enjoy some good off-lead time here, particularly on the woodland sections, provided they have reliable recall. That said, it's worth keeping your dog on the lead near the fishing platforms, where anglers' lines pose a hazard, and around the nature reserve where wildfowl are present. The field and The Clune area are accessed through double gates, so it's worth checking for grazing stock before letting your dog run free there.
What should I know before visiting Lochore Meadows Country Park Loch Circuit with my dog?
The loch sees a fair amount of activity — anglers, sailors and wildfowl — so be prepared to keep your dog close in those areas rather than letting them have free rein the whole way round. The route passes through The Clune, an area of grassland and heath with Bronze Age archaeological features, and the field sections are gated, so keep an eye out for livestock. On the plus side, the paths are flat and well surfaced throughout, making this a relaxed, manageable walk for dogs and owners alike.
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