Meanwood Valley Trail: Meanwood Park to Seven Arches
West Yorkshire
The Meanwood Valley Trail is a 7 mile path from Woodhouse Moor in Leeds to Golden Acre Park, following the green corridor of Meanwood Beck where dogs can run off lead and cool off in the water for most of the way, and its middle section is one of the city's favourite dog walks. Meanwood Park itself covers 29 hectares of grassland, woodland, meadows and streams. Between the 16th and 19th centuries the beck powered corn and flax mills, dye works, tanneries and paper mills, and in 2014 48 oaks were planted along its west bank for the 48 Meanwood men lost in the First World War. This 6.4km walk from the Green Road car park follows the trail's owl waymarks north for 2 miles through the park and woodland, including Scotland Wood, to the Seven Arches, a historic aqueduct that marks the midpoint of the full trail, then returns the same way. The going is mostly flat but rough and very muddy in wet weather, with some rocky sections by the beck.
This is a dog friendly walk with lots of off-lead potential, as the park and woods are well used by local dogs and livestock is rarely met. Meanwood Beck is alongside for much of the way, giving a drink and a paddle, and the trees give good shade. Horses and chickens are kept near Meanwood Park, and mountain bikers use jumps in Scotland Wood, so keep your dog close there. Parking is free, and the Three Cottages Café and toilets are by the park entrance.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 6.4 km (4.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 2 hr
- Walk Type
- Woodland, River, Park
- Route Type
- Out and Back
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Three Cottages Café and accessible toilets at Meanwood Park; public toilets near the entrance.
- Parking
- Meanwood Park main car park on Green Road, free (Leeds City Council).
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Meanwood Valley Trail: Meanwood Park to Seven Arches, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in West YorkshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Meanwood Valley Trail: Meanwood Park to Seven Arches dog friendly?
This is a well-loved dog walk with a rating of 8/10, and it shows — the park and woods are well used by local dogs, livestock is rarely encountered, and Meanwood Beck runs alongside for much of the route offering drinks and paddling opportunities. There's also good tree cover for shade, free parking at the Green Road car park, and a café with toilets right by the park entrance.
Can dogs be off lead at Meanwood Valley Trail: Meanwood Park to Seven Arches?
There's plenty of off-lead potential here across the park's 29 hectares of grassland, woodland and meadows, and along the wooded trail north to the Seven Arches aqueduct. Livestock is rarely met on this route, so most dogs can enjoy a good stretch of freedom for the majority of the 6.4km walk.
What should I know before visiting Meanwood Valley Trail: Meanwood Park to Seven Arches with my dog?
A couple of things are worth keeping in mind: horses and chickens are kept near Meanwood Park, and mountain bikers use jumps in Scotland Wood, so it's worth having your dog close to you in those areas. The trail is mostly flat but can get rough and very muddy in wet weather, with some rocky sections by the beck, so sturdy footwear is a good idea.
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