Tring Reservoirs and the Grand Union Canal
Hertfordshire
The Tring Reservoirs are a group of four SSSI-designated waters built in the 19th century to top up the summit of the Grand Union Canal, and they are now a brilliant mix of birdwatching, boat traffic and easy towpath walking. This dog friendly circuit loops Startops End, Marsworth and Tringford reservoirs, drops down onto the Wendover Arm and returns along the main line of the canal, with barely a bump of elevation from start to finish.
Dogs are welcome throughout and the flat, well-surfaced paths make this an easy outing for older or smaller dogs. Leads are sensible on the towpath where cyclists and narrow boats pass, and around the reedy margins where ground-nesting birds use the reserves in spring and summer. The Startops End car park is pay and display with around seventy spaces, and the Anglers Retreat pub on the causeway between Startops and Marsworth makes a solid dog friendly pit stop.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 6.5 km (4.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 40 min
- Walk Type
- Canal, Reservoir
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- The Anglers Retreat pub on the causeway welcomes dogs; public toilets at Startops End car park in season.
- Parking
- Startops End pay and display car park with around seventy spaces; £1.50 for three hours or £3 all day.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tring Reservoirs and the Grand Union Canal dog friendly?
Tring Reservoirs and the Grand Union Canal is a great choice for dogs, earning a 9 out of 10 on our dog friendly rating. Dogs are welcome throughout the circuit, and the flat, well-surfaced paths make it particularly well-suited to older or smaller dogs. The Anglers Retreat pub on the causeway between Startops and Marsworth reservoirs also welcomes dogs, so there's a handy pit stop along the way.
Can dogs be off lead at Tring Reservoirs and the Grand Union Canal?
There's no blanket rule against off-lead dogs here, but leads are strongly advisable in certain areas. On the towpath, passing cyclists and narrow boats make it sensible to keep dogs close, and around the reedy reservoir margins it's worth keeping them on the lead during spring and summer when ground-nesting birds are using the reserves.
What should I know before visiting Tring Reservoirs and the Grand Union Canal with my dog?
The route is a flat circuit taking in Startops End, Marsworth and Tringford reservoirs before looping back along the Wendover Arm and the main Grand Union Canal — easy going with virtually no elevation gain. Parking is at Startops End pay and display car park, which has around seventy spaces at £1.50 for three hours or £3 all day, with public toilets available there in season. The reservoirs are SSSI-designated, so it's worth being mindful of wildlife, particularly near the water's edge during nesting season.
What’s Nearby?
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