Moors Valley Lake and Forest Walk
Dorset
Moors Valley Country Park and Forest sits on the Dorset and Hampshire border by Ringwood, a mix of planted pine forest, open heath and a landscaped lake built for flood control and recreation, and further into the trees a dog can come off the lead under close control. Over 20 miles of waymarked trails cross the park, from a short lake and riverside circuit to a signed route of around 8km through the forest, all on flat, well surfaced tracks with almost no climbing. The park sits beside the New Forest, and the Castleman Trailway, a former railway line, also runs through it, giving an easy option to shorten or extend the walk.
This dog friendly walk gives real freedom once away from the busiest areas. Dogs must be on a lead in the car parks, picnic areas, around Moors Lake and near the Play Trail and Go Ape courses, but further into the forest they can be off lead under close control. Two designated paddling spots, at Crane Bridge and the top of Crane Lake, let dogs cool off, though swimming elsewhere in the lakes and river is not allowed. Water bowls are at the Visitor Centre and the barn patio, and sixteen dog waste bins are dotted through the park. There is no livestock. The Visitor Centre has a cafe, toilets and a shop, making this an easy full day out.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 8.0 km (5.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 2 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Forest, Lake, Park
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Cafe, toilets and shop at the Visitor Centre; water bowls at the Visitor Centre and barn patio; sixteen dog waste bins across the park.
- Parking
- Moors Valley Country Park car park at the Visitor Centre, Horton Road, Ashley Heath.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Moors Valley Lake and Forest Walk, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Kingfisher Cottage - Brockenhurst
Sleeps 7 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £1,210 / 7 nights
Booking links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices are a guide only and change with dates and availability.
All dog friendly stays in DorsetFrequently Asked Questions
Is Moors Valley Lake and Forest Walk dog friendly?
Yes, it scores 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness. Moors Valley has over 20 miles of flat, well surfaced trails, two designated paddling spots for dogs and plenty of water bowls and waste bins around the park. The score reflects the lead rules in the busiest areas, around the lake and near the Play Trail, which mean it is not a free-for-all everywhere.
Can dogs be off lead at Moors Valley Lake and Forest Walk?
Yes, once you are away from the car parks, picnic areas, Moors Lake and the Play Trail, dogs can be off lead under close control further into the forest. There is no livestock anywhere in the park to complicate this. Two paddling spots, at Crane Bridge and the top of Crane Lake, are set aside for dogs to cool off, but swimming elsewhere in the lakes or river is not allowed.
What should I know before visiting Moors Valley Lake and Forest Walk with my dog?
The trails are flat, wide and easy underfoot, so this suits dogs of any age or fitness. Dogs must be on a lead in busy areas including the car parks, picnic spots and around Moors Lake. The golf course and railway are out of bounds to dogs. The Visitor Centre has a cafe, toilets and water bowls, and there is a large free car park at the start.
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Moors Valley Country Park Visitor Centre, Horton Road, Ashley Heath, Ringwood BH24 2ET
50.8506, -1.8502
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