Ulverscroft Priory and Charnwood Forest Trails
Leicestershire
The Ulverscroft Priory circuit explores the quieter western edge of Charnwood Forest in Leicestershire, passing the atmospheric ruins of the 12th-century Augustinian priory before looping through mixed woodland and open heathland. The 8.9 km route covers 188 metres of climbing across terrain that feels genuinely remote — rocky outcrops of ancient Precambrian rock push through the forest floor, dense tree cover closes overhead, and the paths narrow into rough tracks that feel far from the tamed Midlands landscape. Charnwood's geology is extraordinary: some of the oldest exposed rock in England, over 600 million years old, creates a landscape of miniature crags and boulder-strewn clearings quite unlike any other woodland in the region.
This dog friendly walk offers moderate off-lead potential through the woodland and heathland sections, though leads are wise where livestock graze in the fields bordering the forest. The rocky outcrops and varied terrain — heather, bracken, leaf litter, exposed stone — provide constantly changing ground that keeps dogs mentally and physically engaged. The priory ruins make a natural rest stop, and the surrounding woodland carries rich, damp scent from mature oak and birch. The heathland sections offer more open ground where dogs can range further. The climbing is spread across the circuit without any single demanding ascent, making this accessible to dogs with reasonable fitness. A genuinely surprising walk for the East Midlands.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 8.8 km (5.5 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 3 hr
- Walk Type
- Moorland, Woodland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- None
- Parking
- Roadside parking near Ulverscroft Priory
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Ulverscroft Priory and Charnwood Forest Trails, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Forget Me Not Cottage - Ashbourne
Sleeps 5 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £543 / 7 nights
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ulverscroft Priory and Charnwood Forest Trails dog friendly?
Yes, this is a well-suited walk for dogs and earns a solid 8 out of 10 on our dog-friendly rating. The varied terrain , heathland, mixed woodland, rocky outcrops, and bracken-covered clearings , gives dogs plenty of sensory interest throughout the 8.9 km circuit. The priory ruins provide a natural spot to pause and let your dog take a breather.
Can dogs be off lead at Ulverscroft Priory and Charnwood Forest Trails?
There's moderate off-lead potential across the woodland and heathland sections, where dogs can explore and range fairly freely. That said, leads are advisable in the fields bordering the forest where livestock may be grazing, so it's worth keeping one to hand throughout the walk.
What should I know before visiting Ulverscroft Priory and Charnwood Forest Trails with my dog?
Parking is roadside near Ulverscroft Priory, and there are no facilities on site, so bring water and any supplies your dog will need. The paths can be rough and narrow in places, with exposed Precambrian rock and uneven ground, so dogs need to be reasonably sure-footed and fit enough for 188 metres of climbing spread across the route. The livestock in the bordering fields means a reliable recall or lead is important for those sections.
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