Ordnance Survey reveals new series of dog-friendly short walks made easy guides for three National Parks
The Peak District, the Lake District, and the Yorkshire Dales are the focus of the books, packed full of well-researched routes perfect for dogs and their owners.
Press Office
Whether it’s sniffing out the dales, moors and reservoirs of the Peak District, trotting around the spectacular lake shores, woodland and riverside trails in the Lakes, or ambling beside the historic strongholds, meadows and waterfalls of the Yorkshire Dales, all three guides detail exactly how to discover superb scenery safely that excites the senses for both owners and canine friend.
The walks in the guides take between an hour to two and a half hours to complete when followed at a leisurely pace and include dog-friendly pubs and cafes to relax in too.
"Every route in Short Walks Made Easy Dog-Friendly Walks clearly identifies safe water entry points, accessible drinking spots, inviting rest areas, and easy-to-understand guidance on where leads are required and places dogs can roam freely. All three books contain ten routes which last between two and four-and-a-half miles, feature easy-to-follow large-scale mapping, with turn-by-turn instructions, nature notes, background stories, and QR codes linking directly to the OS Maps app so you can follow them on your phone. Every route is relaxed, family-friendly and suitable for all ages and abilities, whether you're walking with a dog or not."
Author Stephanie Cooke wrote the Peak District guide, walking every single route alongside black Labrador retriever, Jim.
Stephanie said: “What mattered to me was the potential for off-lead time, or opportunities to use a long line, as dogs love to run free. Many dogs enjoy swimming, so I wanted to include some water-based walks. Plus, of course, there had to be plenty of opportunities to sniff those enticing smells.”
Stephanie explained there were many different challenges that needed to be considered when creating safe routes for dogs to enjoy.
She said: “Unfortunately, dog attacks on livestock have been on the increase over the past few years, plus there is always a risk from walking a dog through fields of cows with calves. I wanted to make these walks as livestock-free as possible.
“A couple of the routes I considered were lovely but involved a busy road walk, not ideal with a dog. And some stiles are very narrow or require climbing, so I wanted to offer alternatives for those with less athletic dogs.”
Writer David Jordan wrote the Lake District book which he researched with his Italian Spinone, Elmo.
He said: “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, 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.”
Sally Outram wrote the Yorkshire Dales guide while being ably assisted by her patter jack terrier, Ted. She explained that researching a walking book from a dog’s perspective added a whole extra layer of detail to consider.
Sally said: “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. It’s a balance between celebrating the beauty of a route and being honest about the practicalities so owners can make informed choices.”
All three Short Walks Made Easy Dog-Friendly Walks are priced £8.99 and available from the OS Shop and other good stockists.
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