Torrent Walk, Dolgellau

Torrent Walk earns a solid 8/10 for dog friendliness, and it's easy to see why it's a popular choice for people bringing their dogs along. The route has no livestock to worry about, and the wooded gorge setting makes it a lovely, shady walk at any time of year. When you're done, Dolgellau is just a few minutes away with dog friendly options including the Royal Ship and George III pubs.

There's no livestock on the route, so dogs can enjoy some freedom on the woodland path, but you'll want to keep them on a lead — or at least under very close control — on the gorge sections. The path runs above the Afon Clywedog in places, with steep drops down to the water below, which could be hazardous for an excitable dog. Use your judgement based on how reliably your dog responds to recall near open edges and fast-moving water.

The path follows uneven woodland ground with tree roots and a few short steep sections, so it's worth having your dog on a lead for those trickier stretches. Parking is at a small free lay-by on the B4416, which holds around 15 cars and can fill up quickly on summer weekends, so an early start is a good idea. There are no facilities at the walk itself, but Dolgellau is only a short drive away if you need to stop for water, food or a post-walk pint.