Best dog-friendly trail runs in the UK
Running with your dog is one of the best things about trail running. These routes are confirmed dog-friendly — check the individual route pages for notes on livestock, leads, and seasonal access.
24routes
EXPERT
Abraham's Tea Round
You earn a free cup of tea at Abraham's Cafe by touching every summit you can see from its top-floor window: a proper Keswick fell-running rite of passage.
EXPERT
Bob Graham Round Leg 3: Dunmail Raise to Wasdale Head
This is the heart and the crux of the Bob Graham: the Langdale Pikes, the highest ground in England over the Scafells, and the notorious Broad Stand step onto Scafell.
EXPERT
Bob Graham Round Leg 4: Wasdale Head to Honister Pass
The savage climb straight out of Wasdale onto Yewbarrow sets the tone: this is the steepest, most concentrated leg of the round, over Pillar and Great Gable.
EXPERTKettlewell Ultra
Proper Dales miles — limestone scars, wide skies, and the kind of distance that sorts out who's eaten their breakfast. This is a full day out.
Checked Jun 2026
EXPERT
Fountains Fell and Pen-y-ghent from Malham
A full 50km day that strings together the cove, the tarn and two major summits, a serious long-distance challenge through the heart of the Dales.
EXPERT
Bob Graham Round Leg 2: Threlkeld to Dunmail Raise
It is the great runnable middle of the Bob Graham: a near-continuous high ridge where you can hold a rhythm over twelve tops without ever dropping to the valley.
EXPERT
Bob Graham Round Leg 1: Skiddaw and Blencathra
You get the start of the most famous round in British fell running, crossing Skiddaw at 931 m and the lonely top of Great Calva before the high traverse to Blencathra and the steep drop off Hall's Fell.
EXPERTYorkshire Three Peaks Extended
A big day out on the most recognisable skyline in the Dales — three distinct summits, 1500m of climbing, and a finish that earns its beer.
Checked Jun 2026
VERY HARD
Skiddaw and Blencathra via Lonscale Fell
Four Northern Fell Wainwrights in one continuous round, including the roof of the region on Skiddaw and the dramatic edges of Blencathra.
VERY HARD
The Grand Edale Circular
The full Peak District experience — deep peat bog, gritstone edges, and those big Kinder views. Earn the ridge on the way back in.
VERY HARD
Helvellyn Range and St Sunday Crag from Glenridding
Seven summits of the Eastern Fells in one continuous high-level horseshoe, finishing over St Sunday Crag with Ullswater filling the view ahead.
VERY HARD
Robinson, Dale Head, High Spy and Catbells from Lingholm
Five Wainwrights in one flowing 20.9km round, finishing along the famous Catbells ridge with Derwentwater spread out below and a celebrated cafe at the start and finish.
VERY HARDBen Vorlich and Stuc a' Chroin
Two summits, a proper scramble, and loch views to the south. The crux between the two peaks is short but hands-on — check conditions before you commit.
Checked Jun 2026
VERY HARD
Wharfedale Three Peaks
Three big Wharfedale summits with none of the crowds or paved paths, just rough moorland, bog and proper navigation across the roof of the dale.
VERY HARDColedale Horseshoe
Seven Wainwrights, 1100m of climbing, and a long ridge with exposure on both sides. This is proper fell running territory — you need to move well on open ground.
Checked Jun 2026
VERY HARD
Catbells, Maiden Moor, Dale Head and Hindscarth from Lingholm
Five Wainwright summits in one continuous Newlands ridge, from gentle Catbells along the airy skyline to the high point on Dale Head, with the valley falling away on both sides.
VERY HARD
Wansfell Pike, Sour Howes and Sallows from Ambleside
Three Wainwrights for the price of one popular summit, swapping the crowds of Wansfell Pike for the empty grassy tops of Sour Howes and Sallows.
VERY HARD
Whernside and Ingleborough from Ribblehead
Two of the Three Peaks in one shapely loop, beginning and ending at the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct with a railway cafe waiting at the finish.
VERY HARD
Fountains Fell and Pen-y-ghent
Two contrasting Dales summits in one long loop, with the lonely moorland of Fountains Fell giving way to the unmistakable stepped profile of Pen-y-ghent.
EXPERT
Fountains Fell and Pen-y-ghent from Settle
Town-to-summit running at its best, starting from Settle's cobbles and reaching the wild tops of Fountains Fell and Pen-y-ghent before the long loop home.
VERY HARDKentmere Horseshoe
High-level ridge running with minimal descent until the end. The views across Kentmere Reservoir and to the surrounding fells are some of the best in the eastern Lakes.
Checked Jun 2026
VERY HARD
Salt and Pepper Pots from Skipton
A point-to-point feel on a loop, linking a bustling market town to a wild gritstone edge crowned by two eccentric Victorian towers with huge views to Pendle.
VERY HARD
Helvellyn from Thirlmere
You gain the summit of a 950m Wainwright in well under an hour of climbing, then drop back to the car on grass you can really open up on.
HARD
Bob Graham Round Leg 5: Honister Pass to Keswick
Three last summits over the Newlands fells and then the famous road run into Keswick: this is the leg where a Bob Graham Round is finished.
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