Are you looking for dog friendly walks in the Lake District?

The Lake District is one of the best places in the UK to explore with your dog, offering gentle fells, peaceful lakeshores and miles of inviting woodland. To help walkers make the most of these landscapes, OS has launched Dog‑friendly Walks Lake District, a new title in the Short Walks Made Easy family. Edited by David Jordan and ably assisted by his Italian Spinone, Elmo, the book gathers ten leisurely dog‑friendly walks in the Lake District, each between 2 and 4 miles.

These routes highlight the very best of the National Park for dog owners, with clear guidance on safe water access, natural drinking spots, shaded rest areas, and where leads are required. Each walk is mapped in a clear, easy‑to‑use format, supported by step‑by‑step directions and instant digital access through OS Maps.

Dog Friendly Walks in the Lake District: An Interview with Editor David Jordan

To learn more about the book, I spoke to David about the inspiration behind the guide, the realities of planning dog walking routes in the Lakes, and the special places he and Elmo enjoy most.

How did you become the editor of this new dog‑friendly guide?

Hi Hilary, it’s great to share some details about the creation of this guide. We had a lot of fun doing it. I usually split my time between working to support university researchers to commercialise their ideas and writing hiking and trekking guides. I’ve written guides to routes in the UK, the US and in Europe. We live on the edge of the Lakes, so when I’m home, Elmo and I spend a lot of time on walks in the area, but when I’m working on a project, Elmo stays at home. Elmo loves his long walks, so the opportunity to work on a guide for other dogs and their humans, in an area we know and love, was too good to pass up. Of course, Elmo gave the project his ‘paws-up’ too; more time with Dad and more walks – what’s not to love about that?

We’d also love to hear about Elmo – what is he like and what kind of walks does he enjoy?

Elmo’s such a character, he’s always making us laugh. He’s a big loveable goof. He has a lot of enthusiasm and is full of joy. He’s very sociable too. He loves people and other dogs and wants to meet and greet everyone, so a walk always takes longer than you think it should! His breed (Italian Spinone) are natural scenting dogs, so he’s always got his nose to the ground exploring who, or what, else has been there. Consequently, his favourite walks are those with lots of variety.

He’s a big fan of woodland, loves to snuffle through bracken and undergrowth. He’ll head for water if there is any and will paddle in the shallows happily for as long as we let him, but he doesn’t swim, which is unusual for his breed. That said, if there’s high ground, he wants to conquer it! He’ll willingly keep going up until he can go no further, and then adopts his ‘summit stare’, where he’ll gaze out across the landscape, loving the breeze, and all the scents it brings his way.

How did you choose the ten routes for the book, and what mattered most to you when deciding whether a walk was truly dog friendly?

It was quite challenging to pick routes for the book, as the Lakes has so much to offer dogs. What Elmo loves (and what tires him out) is variety of experiences, so we tried to find walks that given dogs a bit of everything. Of course, a refreshment opportunity after the walk is important, so we were looking for dog-friendly pubs and cafes too. Most dogs will want to drink plenty on a walk, so we included routes with reliable water on route where we could (meaning we needed to carry less). We were also very conscious of the challenge of both regular stiles and ladder stiles. While many smaller dogs can squeeze through or jump over stiles, Elmo is a big dog. He also weighs 45kg, so picking him up is not an option. We were careful to avoid routes that encountered such challenges.

Were there any particular challenges in researching walks from a dog’s point of view, things like access, water, terrain, livestock, or general safety?

Yes, there are a lot of things to think about to ensure that the walk is both safe and enjoyable for dogs and owners alike. It’s hard to avoid livestock in an area like the Lakes, renowned for its sheep! Even if a dog is not inclined toward chasing sheep, the presence of a dog can be quite stressful for sheep, especially at lambing time.

We picked routes to try to minimise encounters, but we also advocate the use of a long line (typically used in training dogs) instead of a regular lead, for walks in sheep country. It takes a little more effort, but gives you much more control over your dog, and you can give them more or less freedom as the situation dictates. It also prevents them from exhausting themselves with over-enthusiasm too early in the walk. Afterall, they don’t know how long you plan to be out.

Water is always important. Dogs need to drink regularly, and we’ll carry two litres for Elmo unless we are really confident of a water source on route. We also think about Elmo when parking. We much prefer to use a proper car park than a layby or roadside. There’s just less risk of any mishaps getting in or out of the car if we are away from moving traffic.

Terrain is important too. We tend to assume that dogs are agile on their feet and are naturally aware of hazards such as big drops. The reality is that some are much more so than others. If the environment is unfamiliar to them, then this increases the risks. Despite his experience of the Lakes, Elmo tends to be over-confident and just a bit clumsy, so we try to pick walks that avoid narrow ridges, and we keep him close when on steep ground.

Is there a walk in the book that you and Elmo especially enjoyed? What made that one stand out for both of you?

The walk to High Dam is one of Elmo’s favourites. It has a great mix of terrain, woodland, bracken, water and lots of smells to keep him interested. It’s an area rich in wildlife too. Native roe deer graze the woodland and leave scent trails that Elmo loves to follow. Fish lurk beneath lily pads watching dragonflies alighting above. Fascinating fungi push up through the leaf litter releasing damp, earthy smells of rotting wood and subterranean creatures. It’s a place that’s rich in human history too, if you know where to look. We love it for its richness of nature and ever-changing moods through the seasons.

During your route research, did you come across any unexpected or lesser‑known places that walkers, and their dogs, might not usually stumble upon? (even if not included in the book?)

Absolutely. There is so much to explore in the Lakes. Near the High Dam route there is the old Bobbin Mill, a hidden relic of our past that shaped these woodlands and our industrial history. Just off the route, the craggy summit of Great Green Hows sees few visitors but is a great place to watch circling buzzards in the summer. The west side of the Lakes is less visited and harbours some real gems.

The Eskdale valley has a distinctly wild feel to it, and a climb up to Stanley Force Gill reveals an incredible view that was heralded by early Victorian visitors, then lost for a generation behind invasive Rhododendron shrub (it is quite a climb though).

Even near to the tourist hub of Keswick, Whinlatter Forest visitor centre does get busy, but walk a little higher to leave the forest onto the broad summit of Lord’s Seat and you will be rewarded with relative solitude, and a 360-degree panorama of the northern Lakes!

Get Your Copy of Dog‑friendly Walks Lake District

Order your copy of Dog‑friendly Walks Lake District today and discover ten gentle routes designed for dogs, families and walkers of all abilities. With clear mapping, smart dog‑friendly tips and QR codes for OS Maps, it’s everything you need for your next adventure.