The Yorkshire Dales is one of the most rewarding places in Britain to explore with your dog. With its peaceful dales, gentle becks, historic villages and wide open views, it offers plenty of opportunities for relaxed adventures with four legged companions.
To help visitors and locals make the most of these landscapes, OS has launched Dog friendly Walks Made Easy. Yorkshire Dales, a new title in the Short Walks Made Easy family. Written by Sally Outram, and supported by Ted the terrier cross, the guide brings together ten leisurely dog friendly walks across the Dales, each chosen for their scenery, simplicity and suitability for dogs.
These routes highlight some of the best places in the Yorkshire Dales National Park for dog owners. Every walk includes guidance on safe water entry points, drinking water, scenic rest stops and places where dogs need to be on a lead, making it easy to plan a calm and low stress day out. Easy‑to‑use maps, clear route profiles and step‑by‑step directions help walkers stay confident on the footpaths, while nearby dog‑friendly cafés and pubs offer welcoming spots to rest after a day outdoors.
Dog Friendly Walks in the Yorkshire Dales: An Interview with Author Sally Outram
To learn more about the inspiration behind the guide, I spoke with Sally about her favourite Yorkshire Dales dog walks, the challenges of planning routes from a dog’s perspective, and her adventures with Ted, whose friendly face appears throughout the book.
How did you come to write the new dog‑friendly guide?
I’m an outdoor writer, columnist, photojournalist, and heritage artist based in Nottinghamshire, and much of my work focuses on celebrating the character and stories of the British landscape. I’m also a member of the Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild, which has given me a strong professional grounding in responsible access, route creation, and clear communication for outdoor audiences.
I’ve written a number of walking features and guidebooks over the years, and the opportunity to edit this dog‑friendly guide came at a time when I was already researching routes with my own dog, Ted. I found myself thinking more deeply about what makes a walk genuinely suitable for dogs, not just enjoyable for walkers, so bringing that experience together with my writing felt like a natural next step.
What is Ted like, and what kinds of walks does he enjoy?
Ted is a wonderfully characterful little terrier-cross; a Patterjack, with a big personality and an even bigger enthusiasm for adventure. He’s curious, confident, and has an excellent nose for anything interesting, whether that’s a riverside scent trail or a hidden woodland corner.
He loves varied walks with plenty to explore; woodland paths, riverside rambles, gentle climbs with a beautiful view, and anywhere he can potter, sniff, and occasionally pose for a photo. He’s also very sociable, so routes with open spaces and opportunities to meet other walkers (and their dogs) are always a hit. He can’t resist a puddle and loves to swim. He regularly visits the local hydrotherapy pool to keep his joints supple after his long walks and adventures.
How did you choose the ten routes, and what mattered most?
I wanted each route to feel welcoming, manageable, and enjoyable for a wide range of dogs and owners. That meant looking beyond the scenery and really considering the practicalities: safe access, clear paths, water availability, escape‑proof sections, and how easy it would be for owners to navigate the route confidently.
I also aimed for a good mix: rivers, woodland, open countryside, heritage sites, so that every walk offers something a little different. Above all, I chose routes that Ted and I genuinely enjoyed and that I felt other dog owners would love just as much.
What challenges did you face when researching the routes?
Researching from a dog’s perspective adds a whole extra layer of detail. Things like livestock, stiles, narrow paths, steep drops, or fast‑flowing water can all be perfectly manageable for us, but tricky or unsafe for dogs.
Access points were another key consideration; ensuring gates were secure, stiles were dog‑friendly, and there were no unexpected obstacles. Terrain mattered too: rough ground, hot surfaces in summer, or muddy, slippery sections in winter all influence how suitable a walk is for different dogs.
It’s a balance between celebrating the beauty of a route and being honest about the practicalities so owners can make informed choices.
Was there a walk Ted especially enjoyed?
The Kettlewell route, in particular, stands out because it offered everything Ted loves: a mix of woodland, open views, and a peaceful riverside stretch where he could paddle and cool off. It had that perfect blend of variety and interest, the kind of walk where you both enjoy being out in the landscape together.
For me, it was also a route that captured the area’s spirit beautifully, with a real sense of Yorkshire heritage and natural character.
Did you find any lesser‑known spots along the way?
Yes, and those discoveries were some of the highlights of the entire process. While exploring potential routes, I stumbled upon a few tucked‑away viewpoints, quiet woodland tracks, and small heritage features that don’t always make it onto the main walking circuits.
Even if they didn’t all end up in the final ten routes, they added so much richness to the research and reminded me how rewarding it is to wander slightly off the beaten path. Those little surprises are often what make a walk memorable for both walkers and dogs.
Start Exploring the Yorkshire Dales with Your Dog
Get your copy of Dog‑friendly Walks Made Easy: Yorkshire Dales and discover ten gentle, well‑planned routes designed for dogs, families and walkers of all ages. With clear mapping, dog‑specific tips and OS Maps access for every route, it’s everything you need for your next adventure in the national park.
