Reddish Vale Country Park
Greater Manchester
Reddish Vale Country Park covers around 400 acres of the River Tame valley between Stockport and Reddish, a landscape shaped by the mills that once lined the river. There's no livestock here, so a dog can explore the rootier, wooded valley sides fairly freely, though the steeper sections suit a fitter dog best. This perimeter loop of 5.6 kilometres follows the valley past two old mill ponds and a weir built to feed the Portwood Cut, a channel dug in 1796 to power mills further downstream. The paths mix well-surfaced sections with rougher, rootier ground through the woodland, and around 121 metres of ascent and descent is spread across the valley sides, so there is genuine up and down rather than a flat stroll. Sand martins and kingfishers nest along the riverbank in season, adding real interest to the walk.
This dog friendly walk gives a good mix of open grassland, where off-lead exercise is relaxed, and steeper, rougher woodland sections nearer the river where more care and control are useful, especially after rain when the paths get slippery. There's no livestock anywhere in the park, and the river and mill ponds give a dog plenty of chances to cool off, though banks can be steep in places. The ponds attract a good number of ducks, so recall matters if your dog is inclined to chase. Parking is available at the main car park on Reddish Vale Road, and there are pubs and cafes a short walk away in Reddish and Stockport.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 5.6 km (3.5 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 1 hr 45 min
- Walk Type
- River, Woodland, Park
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- None on route; pubs and cafes a short walk away in Reddish and Stockport
- Parking
- Reddish Vale Country Park car park, Stockport Council, Reddish Vale Road
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Reddish Vale Country Park, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Weavers Cottage - Slaithwaite
Sleeps 12 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £1,975 / 7 nights
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Reddish Vale Country Park dog friendly?
Yes, it scores 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The river valley has no livestock, plenty of water for a dog to cool off in, and open grassland where dogs can range off lead, with pubs and cafes a short walk away. The caveat is that the woodland sections are steeper and rougher underfoot, and can get slippery and muddy after rain.
Can dogs be off lead at Reddish Vale Country Park?
Off-lead potential is moderate. On the open grassland areas of the park a dog with good recall can range freely, since there's no livestock anywhere on site. Along the steeper, narrower woodland paths nearer the River Tame and the old mill ponds it's sensible to keep more control, both for footing on rougher ground and because ducks gather on the ponds.
What should I know before visiting Reddish Vale Country Park with my dog?
This is a 5.6 kilometre valley walk with around 121 metres of ascent and descent, mixing easy grassland with steeper, rootier woodland sections that get muddy and slippery after rain. There's no livestock, and the river and mill ponds are good for a dog to cool off in. Parking is at the main car park on Reddish Vale Road, with pubs and cafes a short walk away.
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Reddish Vale Country Park Car Park, Reddish Vale Road, Stockport SK5 7HE
53.4375, -2.1476
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