Dog-Friendly Lake District Valleys

The Lake District's valleys offer dramatic scenery without always requiring summit climbs. Ancient woodlands, riverside walks, and stunning fell backdrops create varied adventures accessible to most dogs. This guide covers the best valleys for dog-friendly exploration.

This guide complements our main Lake District guide with specific valley recommendations.

Why Valley Walks?

Benefits of Valley Walking

For Dogs:

• Accessible terrain
• River and lake access
• Shade in woodland
• Variety without extreme challenge
• Suitable for more dogs

For Owners:

• Dramatic scenery
• Less demanding than fell walking
• Options in poor weather
• Good pubs and facilities

Valley vs Fell Walking

Valley Walks Suit:

• Older dogs
• Less fit dogs
• Hot weather (shade, water)
• Poor weather (shelter)
• First-time visitors
• Families

Fell Walks Suit:

• Fit, experienced dogs
• Clear weather
• Experienced walkers
• Those seeking summits

Both have value. This guide focuses on valleys.

Borrowdale

The Classic Valley

Character: Often called England's most beautiful valley. Dramatic, varied, accessible.

Location: South of Keswick. B5289 runs through.

Dog-Friendly Highlights:

• Woodland walks
• River Derwent
• Waterfalls
• Lake Derwentwater access
• Historic sites

Best Borrowdale Walks

Easy:

Lodore Falls: Short walk to impressive waterfall. National Trust. About 1 mile return.

Derwentwater Shore: Various lakeshore sections. Easy, scenic.

Moderate:

Castle Crag: Small summit in valley. Dramatic views. About 3 miles. Ancient fort site.

Watendlath: Remote hamlet. Tarn. About 4 miles from Rosthwaite.

Challenging:

Seathwaite and Taylor Gill Force: Waterfall walk. Can extend to Styhead.

Borrowdale Villages

Grange-in-Borrowdale: Pretty village. Double-arched bridge. Cafes.

Rosthwaite: Central valley location. Good base. Pub.

Seathwaite: Head of valley. Wettest inhabited place in England. Walking access.

Langdale

The Dramatic Valley

Character: Iconic Lakeland valley. Langdale Pikes backdrop. Serious mountain scenery.

Location: West of Ambleside. Great and Little Langdale.

Dog-Friendly Highlights:

• Valley floor walks
• Blea Tarn
• Traditional pubs
• Mountain views
• Waterfalls

Best Langdale Walks

Easy:

Elterwater to Chapel Stile: Village to village. Riverside. About 2 miles return.

Blea Tarn: Roadside tarn. Short walks. Outstanding views.

Moderate:

Stickle Ghyll to Stickle Tarn: Waterfall walk to mountain tarn. About 3 miles. Steep but manageable.

Great Langdale Round: Valley floor circuit. About 5-6 miles. Varied.

Challenging:

Langdale Pikes (for fit dogs): Fell walking proper. See main Lake District guide.

Langdale Bases

Chapel Stile: Central position. Pub. Good access.

Elterwater: Pretty village. Excellent pub. Lake access.

Old Dungeon Ghyll: Famous walkers' pub at valley head.

Buttermere Valley

The Quieter Choice

Character: Less busy than Borrowdale or Langdale. Two beautiful lakes. Enclosed valley feel.

Location: West Lakes. Via Honister Pass or Newlands.

Dog-Friendly Highlights:

• Lake circuits
• Quiet atmosphere
• Scale Force waterfall
• Swimming opportunities
• Traditional character

Best Buttermere Walks

Easy:

Buttermere Lake Circuit: Classic walk around the lake. About 4 miles. Relatively flat. Outstanding.

Crummock Water sections: Lake shore walking. Various lengths.

Moderate:

Scale Force: England's highest waterfall. About 4 miles return. Through woods.

Buttermere and Crummock combined: Figure-of-eight or linear options.

Challenging:

Haystacks: Wainwright's favourite (his ashes scattered here). About 5 miles. Moderate fell.

Buttermere Village

Tiny Settlement: Two pubs/hotels. Fish Inn and Bridge Hotel. Both dog-friendly. Limited facilities but character.

Grizedale and Claife

The Forest Option

Character: Large forest between Windermere and Coniston. Different Lake District experience.

Location: West of Windermere.

Dog-Friendly Highlights:

• Extensive forest trails
• Sculpture trail
• Mountain biking (watch for bikes)
• Various abilities
• Good facilities

Grizedale Walks

Various Waymarked Trails:

• Multiple difficulties
• Sculpture trail
• Forest exploration
• Mountain bike awareness needed

Good For:

• All-weather walking
• Varied terrain
• Dogs who like woodland

See our Forest of Dean guide for similar woodland walking.

Eskdale

The Remote Valley

Character: Remote western valley. Reached via hard passes or Ravenglass railway. Less visited.

Location: Western Lake District. Access from Hardknott Pass, Wrynose, or railway.

Dog-Friendly Highlights:

• Quiet walking
• River Esk
• Waterfalls
• La'al Ratty railway (dogs welcome)
• Remote character

Eskdale Walks

Various Options:

• Valley floor walks
• Stanley Ghyll Force (waterfall)
• River walks
• More remote fell access

Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway

La'al Ratty: Narrow gauge railway from coast to valley. Dogs welcome. Fun addition to walks.

Seasonal Valley Walking

Spring

Highlights:

• Waterfalls best (rainfall)
• Lambing (dogs on leads)
• Quieter than summer
• Wildflowers

Summer

Highlights:

• Long days
• Best weather usually
• Swimming in lakes/rivers
• Full facilities

Tips:

• Valleys offer shade
• Water access for cooling
• See our Summer guide

Autumn

Highlights:

• Spectacular colours
• Quieter
• Good walking weather
• Mushrooms in woodland

Winter

Highlights:

• Dramatic
• Very quiet
• Snow possible
• Atmospheric

Tips:

• Valley walks possible when fells aren't
• See our Winter guide

Dog Swimming in Valleys

Lake Access

Where Dogs Can Swim:

• Derwentwater (various points)
• Buttermere
• Crummock Water
• Elterwater
• Tarns throughout

Considerations:

• Cold water
• Busy spots in summer
• Supervision always
• Rinse after

See our Water Activities guide.

River Access

Rivers:

• River Derwent (Borrowdale)
• River Brathay (Langdale)
• Various streams throughout

Valley Pubs

Classic Lakeland Pubs

Borrowdale:

• Langstrath Inn, Stonethwaite
• Scafell Hotel, Rosthwaite

Langdale:

• Old Dungeon Ghyll (iconic)
• New Dungeon Ghyll
• Britannia Inn, Elterwater
• Sticklebarn

Buttermere:

• Fish Inn
• Bridge Hotel

Traditional Character: Stone buildings, real ales, walker-focused, dog-welcoming.

See our Pub Walks guide.

Accommodation

Valley Bases

Borrowdale: Keswick (edge of valley) for facilities. Rosthwaite/Grange for character.

Langdale: Chapel Stile, Elterwater, or Ambleside (nearby town).

Buttermere: Limited in valley. Cockermouth or Keswick for more options.

For cottage options and booking advice.

Practical Tips

Getting There

By Car: Best option for valleys. Parking at key points (can fill early in summer).

Public Transport: Buses serve some valleys. Less frequent than main routes.

Valley Conditions

Weather:

• Valleys sheltered from worst
• Can be wet (highest rainfall in England)
• Prepare for all conditions

Terrain:

• Generally good paths
• Can be muddy
• Some rocky sections
• Usually manageable

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best Lake District valley for dogs?

Borrowdale for variety. Buttermere for swimming and quiet. Langdale for drama.

Are valley walks easier than fell walks?

Generally yes. More accessible terrain, though can still be demanding.

Can all dogs manage valley walks?

Most can. Assess individual walks. Some have steep or rough sections.

Best valley for swimming?

Buttermere - beautiful lake, accessible, quieter.

Are valleys busy?

Less than honeypots like Windermere. Still popular summer weekends. Off-season quiet.

What about sheep?

Throughout valleys. Dogs on leads near livestock always.

Valley Adventures Await

Lake District valleys offer dramatic scenery accessible to most dogs. River walks, lake shores, and fell backdrops create varied adventures without requiring summit climbs. Save the peaks for clear days with fit dogs; explore valleys whatever the conditions.

Luke explores Lake District valleys with Charlie, Buster, Ember, Simba, Max, and Molly. The pack has discovered that Borrowdale's variety, Buttermere's beauty, and Langdale's drama create rewarding adventures for dogs of all abilities.

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