Otley Chevin and Surprise View
West Yorkshire
The Chevin is the long gritstone ridge that rises straight out of Otley, and Chevin Forest Park gives dogs around 2.8 square kilometres of woodland, heath and crag to explore off lead, owned and managed by Leeds City Council. The high point is Surprise View at 282 metres, where the ground falls away to a view over Lower Wharfedale towards Almscliffe Crag. This 4.4km loop from the Surprise View car park heads east along a level path, drops towards East Chevin Road, then turns west through about a mile of woodland past the large scattered boulders around Yorkgate Quarry and the forest park nature reserve before climbing back to the start. There is around 152 metres of climbing, on woodland paths and tracks that are steep in places.
This is a dog friendly walk with plenty of off-lead potential, as the woodland is large, livestock is rarely met and the paths are well used by local dog walkers. Keep your dog close near the crags and quarry edges, and watch for mountain bikers and horse riders on the shared tracks. The Chevin is a working woodland, so forestry vehicles use some tracks. The trees give good shade in summer, but there is little water on the route, so carry some for your dog. The White House cafe has closed, so there are no refreshments in the park, but Otley is below with plenty of choice.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.4 km (2.7 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Forest
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- None in the park (the White House cafe has closed); cafes and pubs in Otley.
- Parking
- Surprise View car park, free, Leeds City Council; four other free car parks around Chevin Forest Park.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Otley Chevin and Surprise View, 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 Otley Chevin and Surprise View dog friendly?
Otley Chevin and Surprise View is a great choice for dogs, earning a rating of 8 out of 10. Chevin Forest Park covers around 2.8 square kilometres of woodland, heath and crag, and the area is well used by local dog walkers. Livestock is rarely encountered, which makes it a relaxed outing for most dogs.
Can dogs be off lead at Otley Chevin and Surprise View?
Yes, dogs can enjoy plenty of off-lead time through the woodland, which is large enough to give them real freedom to explore. The main things to watch are the crag and quarry edges near Yorkgate Quarry, where it's worth keeping your dog closer. You'll also want to look out for mountain bikers and horse riders on the shared tracks, as well as forestry vehicles on some routes.
What should I know before visiting Otley Chevin and Surprise View with my dog?
There are no refreshments available in the park itself, as the White House cafe has closed, so it's important to carry water for your dog — there's little on the route and the trees offer good shade in summer but no natural water sources. Parking is free at the Surprise View car park and four other spots around the forest park. If you need a post-walk café or pub, Otley is just below the ridge with plenty of options.
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