Dog Friendly Walks & Beaches in North Yorkshire
Everything we've reviewed in North Yorkshire. Walks, beaches, and everything in between, built for dog owners who don't leave their dogs behind.
walk
Fountains Abbey to Seven Bridges Walk
North YorkshireA World Heritage walk linking the abbey ruins with the Seven Bridges Valley, mixing history, water features and ancient woodland.
walk
Ingleton Waterfalls Trail
North YorkshireA privately managed circular trail through two river gorges that strings together six major waterfalls and some of the finest woodland walking in the north of England.
walk
Malham Cove, Gordale Scar and Janet’s Foss
North YorkshireThis iconic circular from Malham village packs limestone gorges, woodland waterfalls and sweeping pavement views into one of the most spectacular walks in the Yorkshire Dales.
walk
Ribblehead Viaduct and Whernside
North YorkshireA magnificent high-level circuit that combines one of England's most iconic Victorian structures with a challenging fell walk to the summit of Whernside, the highest peak in the Dales.
beach
Robin Hood’s Bay
North YorkshireA dramatically sited fishing village at the end of the Coast to Coast walk, with a rocky beach, year-round access and one of England's most characterful settings.
beach
Runswick Bay
North YorkshireA beautifully preserved fishing village cove with sandy beach, year-round access and one of the most photogenic settings on the Yorkshire coast.
walk
Aysgarth Falls
North YorkshireA gentle woodland and riverside loop taking in all three tiers of one of Yorkshire's most celebrated waterfall systems, with good scent work and easy terrain throughout.
walk
Bolton Abbey and The Strid
North YorkshireA beautifully varied estate walk combining ruined priory, ancient woodland and the most dangerous stretch of river in England, set in the lower reaches of Wharfedale.
walk
Brimham Rocks Outer Loop
North YorkshireA loop through extraordinary wind-sculpted rock formations on Nidderdale moorland, with geological drama and wide Yorkshire views.
beach
Cayton Bay
North YorkshireA surfing beach south of Scarborough with year-round dog access, good cliff walks above and a surf cafe at the car park.
walk
Dalby Forest Ellerburn Trail
North YorkshireAn easy and varied forest trail with high off-lead potential on clear woodland paths and good on-site facilities; one of the most accessible walks in Dalby Forest.
walk
Falling Foss and May Beck
North YorkshireA gentle woodland walk to a beautiful waterfall with a charming tea garden; the easy terrain suits dogs of all fitness levels.
beach
Filey Beach
North YorkshireA wide sandy beach at a quieter Yorkshire seaside town, with the dramatic Filey Brigg headland at one end and year-round dog access in designated areas.
walk
Grassington to Burnsall Circular
North YorkshireA classic Wharfedale circuit linking two of the dale's most handsome villages via riverside Dales Way paths, limestone gorge scenery and open field walking with far-reaching views.
walk
Hackfall Woods Circular (Grewelthorpe)
North YorkshireA Woodland Trust gem with ancient trees, hidden follies and a ravine that feels genuinely wild and forgotten.
beach
Hayburn Wyke
North YorkshireA spectacular hidden cove in the North York Moors National Park reached through woodland, with a double waterfall onto a rocky beach, year-round dog access and no restrictions.
walk
Hubberholme and Yockenthwaite Circular
North YorkshireA short easy to moderate riverside circular between two of the prettiest hamlets in Upper Wharfedale, with the George Inn at Hubberholme as the perfect end.
walk
Langstrothdale Chase Walk from Buckden
North YorkshireA moderate Upper Wharfedale circuit linking Buckden with Cray, Yockenthwaite and Hubberholme through the ancient hunting forest of Langstrothdale Chase.
walk
Levisham Moor and Skelton Tower
North YorkshireWild moorland walking with atmospheric ruins and high off-lead potential across the open heath; a genuinely rewarding North York Moors circuit.
walk
Malham Tarn and Fountains Fell
North YorkshireA serious day walk across the high limestone moors above Malham, taking in England's highest natural freshwater lake before climbing to the summit of Fountains Fell on a remote and demanding fell route.
walk
Nidderdale Way Starter Loop (Pateley Bridge)
North YorkshireA taster loop of the longer Nidderdale Way from the market town of Pateley Bridge, with dale views and a solid pub finish.
walk
Pen-y-ghent from Horton-in-Ribblesdale
North YorkshireOne of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, Pen-y-ghent offers a challenging but rewarding ridge walk with a distinctive stepped profile and exceptional views across the limestone uplands.
walk
Reeth to Grinton Circular, Swaledale
North YorkshireAn easy low-level Swaledale loop between Reeth and Grinton via river meadows and a dramatic suspension bridge, with welcoming pubs at both ends.
beach
Staithes Beach
North YorkshireA small rocky cove in one of England's most atmospheric fishing villages, year-round access with the dramatic harbour and cliff scenery as backdrop.
walk
Studley Royal Deer Park Loop
North YorkshireA loop through the National Trust deer park at Studley Royal, with herds of red and fallow deer against a backdrop of the Water Garden.
walk
Swaledale: Keld to Muker Circular
North YorkshireA classic Swaledale circular through the wildflower meadows and gorge paths linking Keld and Muker, the picture-postcard walk of the Dales.
walk
Wharfedale: Burnsall to Linton Falls
North YorkshireAn easy Wharfedale riverside stroll between two pretty villages, linking Burnsall's green with the tumbling Linton Falls and plenty of pub stops.
beach
Whitby Sands
North YorkshireThe wide sandy beach below Whitby Abbey with the famous swing bridge and good year-round access on the quieter western end.
beach
Cloughton Wyke
North YorkshireA secluded, rocky North Yorkshire wyke accessible via the Cleveland Way with no dog restrictions, very few visitors and a wild, exploratory character suited to adventurous dogs and owners.
walk
Glaisdale to Egton Bridge Riverside Walk
North YorkshireA charming riverside walk connecting two historic North York Moors villages with good facilities at both ends; sheep in surrounding fields require attention.
walk
Gordale Scar and Malham Cove Extended Circular
North YorkshireA dramatic moderate circular linking Janet's Foss, Gordale Scar and the limestone pavement above Malham Cove, easy to extend for a bigger day out.
walk
Hawes to Hardraw Force
North YorkshireA gentle farmland circuit in the heart of Wensleydale, culminating in England's highest single-drop above-ground waterfall, tucked into a dramatic limestone amphitheatre behind a village pub.
walk
Hole of Horcum Circular
North YorkshireA dramatic geological amphitheatre with varied terrain and good moorland walking; sheep on the farmland sections and steep descents into the Horcum require care.
beach
Kettleness Beach
North YorkshireA spectacular remote fossil-hunter's cove with no dog restrictions, accessed via a steep rope-assisted descent from the clifftop, and some of the best ammonite hunting on the Yorkshire coast.
walk
Littondale: Halton Gill to Horsehead Pass
North YorkshireA quiet moderate moorland climb on an old packhorse route over Horse Head Pass, one of the remotest and most peaceful crossings in the Dales.
walk
Markenfield Hall Woodland and Lanes Walk
North YorkshireA quiet lanes and woodland walk past one of England's finest moated medieval manor houses, with rolling Nidderdale countryside throughout.
walk
Osmotherley and Cod Beck Reservoir Loop
North YorkshireA varied walk combining reservoir views with woodland paths and a welcoming village; livestock in the surrounding fields require leads on some sections.
walk
Rievaulx Abbey to Helmsley Loop
North YorkshireA rewarding circuit linking the atmospheric ruins of Rievaulx Abbey with the market town of Helmsley; livestock in the farmland sections require leads.
walk
Ripon Canal Towpath (Canal Wharf)
North YorkshireA flat, easy towpath walk along Ripon Canal with waterside views throughout - no hills, no fuss, just a straightforward stroll.
walk
River Skell Riverside Walk
North YorkshireA gentle riverside walk following the Skell through Ripon, connecting town amenities with countryside stretches.
walk
Roseberry Topping and Newton Wood
North YorkshireA short, sharp climb to one of the North East's most distinctive summits with satisfying views; sheep on the lower slopes and the steep ascent require attention.
beach
Sandsend Beach
North YorkshireA beautiful three-mile Yorkshire Heritage Coast beach connecting Sandsend village to Whitby, with seasonal restrictions near the village from 1 May to 30 September and excellent off-lead walking outside the restricted zone.
beach
Scarborough North Bay
North YorkshireThe quieter of Scarborough's two beaches with more off-season appeal and a less congested atmosphere than South Bay.
walk
Semerwater Circular
North YorkshireA quiet and undervisited circuit around North Yorkshire's second-largest natural lake, taking in remote Raydale hamlets, open fell views and a peaceful lakeside far from the main Dales honeypots.
beach
Skinningrove Beach
North YorkshireA historic ironstone village beach split by a Victorian loading pier, with year-round dog access on the adjacent Cattersty Sands and dramatic Cleveland Coast cliffs in both directions.
walk
Sutton Bank and the Kilburn White Horse
North YorkshireDramatic escarpment views and a walk to the iconic White Horse with good visitor centre facilities; livestock on the surrounding farmland require leads.
walk
Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay
North YorkshireA dramatic coastal walk between two iconic North Yorkshire villages with spectacular cliff-top scenery; the point-to-point format requires transport planning and livestock on cliff sections need care.
walk
Coverdale: West Scrafton and Arkleside Moor
North YorkshireA moderate off-the-beaten-track Coverdale circuit over Arkleside Moor, with old lead mining relics and huge views across the quietest Dales valley.
walk
Dodd Fell and Drumaldrace from Gayle
North YorkshireA challenging Wensleydale horseshoe over two remote Hewitts, all open moorland with huge skies and working sheep fells underfoot.
walk
Ingleborough from Chapel-le-Dale
North YorkshireA challenging Yorkshire Three Peaks ascent from the quiet Chapel-le-Dale side, rewarding confident dog walkers with huge moorland views.
walk
Whernside via Ribblehead Viaduct
North YorkshireA challenging circular over Yorkshire's highest summit with the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct bookending the route, best suited to confident hill dogs on leads.
walk
Three Peaks Challenge (Yorkshire)
North YorkshireAn epic 24 mile circuit taking in Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, only suitable for very fit dogs prepared for long moorland miles on lead.