A guide to winter walks: exploring UK trails with your dog

Full of beautiful trails, Delamere Forest is the ideal place to spend a sunny winter day with your dog. There’s a range of trails to choose, from easy, flat walks to more challenging hilly hiking trails.

The forest is easy to access from both Liverpool and Manchester, with plenty of parking and a dedicated railway station. After your walk, stop by the cafe and picnic area to make the most of the beautiful views.

Famed for its expansive open areas, Richmond Park covers grassland, ancient forests and rolling hills. During winter, dogs can explore most of the park off the lead, but make sure your dog’s recall is up to scratch.

Richmond Park is home to a large population of red and fallow deer, so if you see these, put your dog on their lead and stay at least 50 metres away. There are miles of trails for you and your dog to explore – so you might find you need to come back more than once.

Virginia Water is located at the southern edge of the beautiful Windsor Great Park, an ancient Royal landscape filled with forests, grasslands and gardens.

The two-mile-long lake is a popular destination for families, dog-walkers and wildlife lovers, with a cafe (complete with a dog-friendly outside terrace) and even a Petplan Dog Wash – a designated station allowing you to wash down your mucky pup after a long walk.

If you and your dog are looking for a challenge over the winter, then tackling some or all of the South West Coast Path is a great idea.

Covering 630 miles around the coast of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset, this path is England’s longest waymarked footpath. There are plenty of short walks to enjoy along the coast path, many of them passing by pubs and cafes, so you and your dog can warm up before you explore.

If your dog loves nothing better than a long run on the beach, West Wittering is a great place to blow away the cobwebs. Dogs are allowed on this beach all year round – with some limitations between mid-May and mid-September. However, with fewer visitors, winter is the best time to explore the long, sandy beach.

Facilities include a dog-friendly cafe, picnic areas and plenty of parking. Before visiting, make sure your dog’s recall training is up to date and watch out for hazards like broken glass or objects washed up by the tides.

Known as the Queen of the Glens, this park covers 1,000 hectares of woodlands, lakes and waterfalls. It’s a superb area to explore with your dog over winter, especially if you like a challenge. There’s a variety of easy trails but also some more difficult hikes.

There’s plenty of parking and picnic areas, although the cafe is usually closed during winter, so bring your own supplies if you’re planning a longer walk. Some trails, including the famous Waterfall Walkway, involve narrow trails and steps, so make sure your dog is up to the challenge before attempting it.

With the highest beach in Britain, Loch Morlich is a fantastic place to explore with your dog.

Start your walk at Glenmore Forest Park car park and enjoy an easy, four-mile route around the loch, surrounded by incredible views of the Cairngorms National Park – which can often be covered in snow at this time of year.

If you don’t fancy a long walk, the sandy beach, backed by beautiful Caledonian pine forests, is a great spot for a game of fetch or, if your dog is up for it, a quick swim.

The Brecon Beacons, now known as Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, offers a huge range of options to explore with your dog.

From easy walks along the river in Hay on Wye, to the longer Penwyllt Circuit with expansive views across the upper Swansea Valley, there’s plenty to choose from. Because much of this area is grazed by cattle and sheep, it’s best to keep your dog on a lead.

Whether you’re staying local or exploring further afield, check the weather forecast before you go. If it’s going to be very cold, consider whether your dog needs a coat to keep them warm. Keep an eye out for any farm animals or wildlife, and make sure your dog’s recall skills are up to scratch if you’ll be letting them off the lead. Grit salt on paths and pavements can irritate your dog’s paws, so a gentle wash-off with warm water and shampoo when you get home can help your dog stay comfortable.

If your dog is showing signs of being too cold, including shivering and whining, speak to your vet for advice. If you have dog insurance with Petplan, you can also access our Pet Expert Chat for advice, wherever you are. Simply log into your My Petplan account and head to My Support to access.