Dog-Friendly Forest of Bowland & Lancashire (2026)

Pendle Hill, the Trough of Bowland and the Ribble Valley - the best dog-friendly walks and villages in the Forest of Bowland.

Pendle Hill rising over the Lancashire countryside in the Forest of Bowland, a dog-friendly walking area
Updated
By Rob Griffiths18 June 2026 · 9 min read

The Forest of Bowland is one of northern England's quietest escapes, a great upland of heather fell, deep wooded cloughs and stone villages folded between the Lancashire plain and the Yorkshire Dales. You can climb Pendle Hill for one of the county's biggest views in the morning, follow the River Hodder through Slaidburn in the afternoon, and finish in a dog-welcoming inn in the Ribble Valley. It is working sheep and grouse country with open access on the fells, so the lead matters near stock and nesting birds, but dogs are warmly welcomed throughout. Here is where to go.

Is the Forest of Bowland dog-friendly?

Yes. Bowland is one of the most relaxed and least crowded places in the North West to walk a dog. Much of the high ground is open-access fell, the country parks and forests have waymarked dog-friendly trails, and the Ribble Valley towns and villages are full of dog-welcoming pubs, cafes and inns. Clitheroe makes a lively market-town base, while villages like Slaidburn and Dunsop Bridge put you in the heart of the fells.

The two things to plan around are livestock and the moorland birds. This is serious sheep and grouse country, and parts of the open access land restrict dogs in the bird-breeding season, so a lead is essential on the fells in spring and summer and near any grazing flock. Stick to the rivers, forests and country parks if you want easier off-lead options.

What are the best dog-friendly places in the Forest of Bowland?

Forest of Bowland dog-friendly highlights

PENDLE · HILL

Pendle Hill Editor's pick

The county's most famous climb and view

  • A big hill walk
  • Huge summit views
  • History underfoot
  • Type Open-access hill
  • Dog access On-lead near stock & nesting birds
  • Terrain Steep paths, open fell
  • Highlight The view from the top
Pendle Hill (the brooding 557-metre whaleback that dominates east Lancashire, famous for the 1612 witch trials) is the area's signature walk and a superb day out with a fit dog. The popular route up from Barley climbs steeply to a summit with enormous views over the Ribble Valley, the Dales and, on a clear day, the Lakeland fells and the Irish Sea. The hill is open-access land grazed by sheep, so keep your dog on a lead near the flocks and the ground-nesting birds on the top. Barley village has a car park and a dog-friendly cafe for afterwards.

BOWLAND · FELL PASS

Trough of Bowland & Dunsop Bridge

The scenic heart of the fells

  • Riverside walks
  • Quiet fell scenery
  • Easy family strolls
  • Type Fell pass & river village
  • Dog access On-lead near stock, river paths
  • Terrain Lane, riverbank, fell road
  • Highlight The Trough road & River Dunsop
The Trough of Bowland is the dramatic pass that cuts through the middle of the AONB, a single-track fell road with grand, empty scenery on either side. At its eastern end, Dunsop Bridge (often cited as the geographic centre of Great Britain) is a charming little village with an easy, near-level walk up the River Dunsop on a good track, ideal for a gentle outing or a family with a dog. There is a car park and a tea room, and the surrounding lanes make for quiet lead walks with constant fell views.

RIBBLE VALLEY · TOWN

Clitheroe & the Ribble Valley

A market-town base with castle and river

  • Town base
  • Castle grounds
  • River and food
  • Type Market town & valley
  • Dog access On-lead in castle grounds, riverside
  • Terrain Town, parkland, riverbank
  • Highlight Clitheroe Castle keep & views
Clitheroe is the natural base for the southern Forest of Bowland, a lively Ribble Valley market town known for its food and drink. Clitheroe Castle sits on a limestone knoll above the town, and dogs on a lead are welcome through the castle grounds and the surrounding park, which give fine views to Pendle and the Bowland fells. The town has plenty of dog-friendly cafes and pubs, and the Ribble Valley around it offers gentle riverside and parkland walking when you want a break from the fells.

SLAIDBURN · VILLAGE

Slaidburn & the Hodder

A stone village deep in the fells

  • Riverside walks
  • Quiet village base
  • Historic inn
  • Type Fell village & river
  • Dog access On-lead near stock, river paths
  • Terrain Riverbank, lanes, fell paths
  • Highlight The River Hodder green
Slaidburn is one of the prettiest villages in Bowland, a cluster of grey-stone houses around a green on the River Hodder. Easy walks follow the river from the village, and the old Hark to Bounty inn is a long-standing dog-friendly stop. It is a peaceful base for exploring the northern fells and the quiet country around Stocks Reservoir, with lanes and field paths that suit steady lead walks. As everywhere in Bowland, the surrounding land is grazed, so keep your dog close near the sheep.

PRESTON EDGE · COUNTRY PARK

Beacon Fell

An easy forest-and-fell country park

  • Off-lead-friendly trails
  • Forest shade
  • Hilltop views
  • Type Country park
  • Dog access Welcome on waymarked trails
  • Terrain Forest track, open fell top
  • Highlight Summit views to the Lakes
Beacon Fell Country Park, on the south-western edge of the AONB, is the easy, family-friendly option and a favourite local dog walk. Waymarked trails loop through conifer woodland and up to an open summit with a view over the Fylde coast to the Lake District and the Bowland fells. The paths are well-made and the woodland gives shade on hot days, with a visitor centre and car parks. It is one of the more relaxed places in the area to let a well-behaved dog stretch its legs, though stock graze the open top.

GISBURN · FOREST

Gisburn Forest & Stocks Reservoir

Forest trails and a big reservoir

  • Forest trails
  • Reservoir views
  • All-weather walking
  • Type Forest & reservoir
  • Dog access Welcome on trails, lead near stock
  • Terrain Forest track, lakeside path
  • Highlight Waymarked forest loops
Gisburn Forest is Lancashire's largest forest and a brilliant wet-weather and all-year option, with a network of waymarked walking trails (shared in places with mountain bikers) winding through the trees above Stocks Reservoir. The forest tracks are firm underfoot and the reservoir views are a fine reward, with car parks and a cafe at the main hub. Dogs are welcome on the trails; keep them under control where the forest opens onto grazed land and watch for bikes on the shared sections.

Can you climb Pendle Hill with a dog?

Yes. Pendle Hill is open-access land and a superb, if steep, dog walk, most popularly climbed from Barley village. Dogs are welcome, but the hill is grazed by sheep and the summit plateau holds ground-nesting birds, so keep your dog on a lead near livestock and during the spring and summer nesting season. The weather turns quickly on the top and there is little shelter, so carry water for the dog and a windproof layer for yourself even on a fine morning.

Tips for visiting the Forest of Bowland with a dog

Lead up on the open fells

Bowland is working sheep and grouse country, and parts of the access land restrict dogs in the bird-breeding season. Keep your dog on a lead on the fells near stock and in spring and summer.

Use the forests and parks for off-lead time

Beacon Fell and Gisburn Forest have waymarked trails that are more relaxed than the open moor, with shade and firmer paths.

Base yourself in Clitheroe or a fell village

Clitheroe gives a lively Ribble Valley base with dog-friendly food; Slaidburn and Dunsop Bridge put you deep in the fells.

Pick the rivers in bad weather

The Hodder and Dunsop valley walks are low, sheltered and easy when the tops are wild, and the inns make good shelter.

Carry water on the tops

There is little shade and few safe streams on the high fell. Pack water for the dog and check the forecast before a Pendle or moorland walk.

Frequently asked questions

Q01Are dogs allowed on Pendle Hill?
Yes. Pendle Hill is open-access land where dogs are welcome, most easily climbed from Barley village. Because it is grazed by sheep and important for ground-nesting birds, keep your dog on a lead near livestock and during the spring and summer breeding season, and carry water for the steep climb.
Q02Where are the best easy dog walks in the Forest of Bowland?
For gentle walks, head to the River Dunsop track from Dunsop Bridge, the riverside paths at Slaidburn, or the waymarked trails at Beacon Fell Country Park and Gisburn Forest. These are lower, more sheltered and easier underfoot than the open fells, and good in poor weather.
Q03Is Clitheroe a good base for visiting Bowland with a dog?
Yes. Clitheroe is a lively Ribble Valley market town with dog-friendly cafes and pubs, a castle whose grounds welcome leashed dogs, and easy access to Pendle Hill and the southern fells. It makes a comfortable base with plenty of places to eat with a dog.
Q04Do I need to keep my dog on a lead in the Forest of Bowland?
On the open fells, yes, especially near sheep and during the spring and summer ground-nesting-bird season, when some access land restricts dogs entirely. The forests, country parks and riverside paths are more relaxed, but always keep your dog under close control near grazing stock.

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