Don’t you just love seeing your furry friend’s eyes light up when you hit them with the W word? The New Forest has over 140,000 acres of vegetation waiting to be sniffed and licked at and to help you on your way here are five dog friendly walks perfect for small chihuahuas to large huskies!
Buckland Rings Trail
Distance – 6.8 miles
Park the car at Brockenhurst rail station and pass through Roydon Woods nature reserve over Setley Plain and onto Buckland Rings, the site of a former Iron Age hill fort. This walk is part of the rail trail series and is surrounded by refreshing natural scenery and wildlife.
Godshill and Castle Hill
Distance – 2.6 or 3.6 miles
This shorter walk starts and ends at The Fighting Cocks (one of our top 5 dog-friendly pubs), offering the perfect opportunity to replenish your energy levels over some good quality food. Take the peaceful woodland paths to be rewarded with stunning views across Avon Valley. For an optional detour, head to Castle Hill fort before returning to Godshill.
Bolderwood: Radnor Trail
Distance – 1.9 miles
This woodland trail passes through towering trees, Bratley Water and the deer viewing platform where hopefully you will catch a sighting of herding deer. There’s lots of fun to be had but please remember to keep dogs on leads when near deers. As one of the most popular New Forest dog walks, you’ll be spoilt for choice when finding the perfect picnic stop!
Lyndhurst Parish Walk
Distance – 8.5 miles
This longer 8.5 miler starts in the heart of Lyndhurst and follows the parish boundary, using the forest as a guide. You’ll venture through the beautiful village centre, out to Bolton’s Bench ( a recognised icon of the New Forest) and onto peaceful countryside pathways. With beautiful scenery and vast open space, this route is perfect for dog walkers with multiple pooches!
Abbots Well and Fritham
Distance – 9 miles
Park up for free at Frogham car park and start your circular walk at Abbots Wells before rising to Hampton Ridge and onto Fritham. Along this family friendly walk you’ll be rewarded with panoramic countryside views and lots of open space for your four-legged friend to run freely! Feeling peckish after your busy day out exploring? Stop off at the Royal Oak pub on the way, which welcomes dogs!
After your busy day out exploring, our Sandy Balls holiday park is the perfect setting to unwind in. Situated in the heart of the New Forest, you’ll love your away-from-it-all Sandy Balls break, and your four-legged friends will too!
Find out more about some of the best walks in the New Forest.