Updated: 13 July 2023
Previously: 9 July 2021
You’ll be spoilt for choice when deciding which walks to enjoy with your furry four-legged friend. Hafannedd is in an ideal base from which to explore the beautiful scenery this region of Wales has to offer.
Happy dog, happy owner
In this blog, we give you an overview of the stunning walks you can experience with your dog. Although the busiest trails are now benefiting from dog-friendly stiles, we’ve only highlighted the walks which don’t have stiles just to ensure everyone has access to each path and trail.
(And just a polite reminder - dogs must be kept on short leads if you are walking through areas with livestock.)
Glyn Valley Tramway is definitely somewhere to go and visit but if you're just looking for a walk to take your dogs, we think this is lovely. The total length of the line was 13.3 km with nearly 80% used by passenger trains, the remainder serving a large granite quarry.
From then to now - initially a gunpowder factory and then a granite crushing site
Loggerheads Country Park is located at the base of the stunning Alyn Valley limestone cliffs. The limestone rock gives the area its abundance of flora and fauna. Footpaths take you on various routes around the park. Take in Devil’s Gorge along the north trail or wander south easterly to Moel Findeg Local Nature Reserve.
Take refreshments at the pub nearby, the We Three Loggerheads, is a restored 17th century coaching inn - stop for lunch or afternoon tea.
Enjoy forest walking in Coed Llandegla
Coed Llandegla Forest has some beautiful trails and has the reputation for being one of the UK’s best managed woodlands. You can choose from a number of trails - the shortest (The Reservoir) is 4km/2.5 miles long or if you’re feeling adventurous, try The Moorland View trail. Taking in the beauty of Llandegla Forest, the walk is 11km/7 miles long and lasts around 2.5 hours - you may even spot a Black Grouse!
We highly recommend Waun y Llyn Country Park and your dog will enjoy it even more! There’s plenty of off-trailing meanderings across grassland for them to sniff out - whilst you take in the panoramic views.
Alyn Waters is worth a visit and caters well for dogs
Alyn Waters Country Park is the largest country park located in the Wrexham area and is located just 3 miles north of the town. The park is currently a Green Flag accredited site. The River Alyn runs through the park, offering you the choice of a woodland, riverside or grassland walk and routes vary in distance and gradients. Dogs are very welcome - poo bags are available at the Visitor Centre in case you’ve forgotten your dog's supply!
Moss Valley Country Park is also located in the Wrexham area and is a lovely park for you and your dog. There are 2 lakes to stroll/sniff around as well as open grassland and woodland to explore. The trails follow old tram and railway lines - disused now but they once served the local coal mining industry and sandstone quarries.
Dog walking along the River Dee
Lying in the Vale of Llangollen is the Ty Mawr Country Park. Set under the majestic Cefn Viaduct, there are walks down to the River Dee or try slightly further afield and head to the Pontcysyllte Aquaduct - a World Heritage site. Ty Mawr Country Park is currently a Green Flag accredited site.
Great Orme is an awe-inspiring headland, north west of Llandudno (its name meaning sea serpent in Old Norse). The Great Orme Country Park serves as a base for the cable car ride up to the peak of Great Orme or you can choose the tramway instead. There’s also a trail to the top for adventurous souls (and dogs). Look out for the resident Kashmir goats on the slopes as you traverse up to the peak.
Point of Ayr lighthouse
A lovely beach walk at Dinas Dinlle
A bit further afield from us is Dinas Dinlle beach - a beautiful setting especially in winter when you can have the beach quite literally to yourself! There are various routes from us (the image below is, according to Google Maps, the quickest).
An alternative route is via Bets-y-Coed and Llanberis for an additional appreciation of the stunning scenery North Wales has to offer.
To truly appreciate the landscape, an out of season walk is a wonder to behold.
Dogs can bound along the beach for miles at Dinas Dinlle
Our brood - Tilly, Rocco and Odi having a lovely day enjoying the beach and exploring the coastline.
Enjoy beautiful views on Moel Famau 'Mother Mountain'
If you enjoy a more hilly terrain, Moel Famau Country Park is well worth a visit. Meaning ‘Mother Mountain’, Moel Famau is the highest peak (1818ft) of the Clwydian Range and has a central location within the range. Climb to the peak and you can take in breathtaking, panoramic views - from the Vale of Clwyd across to Snowdonia and beyond to the Welsh coastline. The landscape is predominantly heather moorland. Be mindful of the sheep grazing on the hill for much of the year so be prepared to keep your furry friend on a short lead at times. There’s more Black Grouse to spot here too!
County of Flintshire has many dog-friendly routes
If you’re heading to the Flintshire region of north east Wales then there’s a number of walks and trails to choose from. The coast stretches for 25 miles, from Chester to Gronant and the region has many areas of outstanding natural beauty. The region offers a variety of grassland, woodland and coastal scenery. The county of Flintshire offers over 29 walks to cater for all abilities - for two legs and four. The coastal walk at Talacre and Nercwys Forest are both ideal places for you both to explore. Wepre Country Park at Connah’s Quay is set in 160 acres. You can enjoy the rolling meadows, a walk to the castle is just a kilometre away or just meander alongside Wepre Brook or New Inn Brook. This region of Wales has so much to offer for you and your pet. The scenery is stunning and there are many dog-friendly walks to choose from.
We’ve given you some of our favourite locations and hope you and your dog build happy memories of your stay at Hafannedd so you’ll both want to return again and again.
