County Durham packs a surprising range into one county — heritage coastline, a cathedral city on a river, disused railway lines turned flat walking paths, and the high dales of Weardale and Teesdale. Our County Durham hub page covers the rest of what’s on offer. A note before you set off: none of the official sources we checked gave exact calendar dates for ground-nesting bird or livestock seasons — they all use language like “spring and summer” rather than fixed dates, so always check local signage on arrival rather than relying on a specific date range.
Coastal
Durham Heritage Coast, Seaham to Blackhall Rocks
This stretch of coast (National Trust’s own dog page) covers beaches, grassy clifftop meadows, wooded coastal denes and rocky shoreline, rated a top dog-friendly destination by the Trust. Keep dogs under close control at all times, on a short lead near cliff edges and where sheep are present — if cattle approach, the Trust advises letting your dog off the lead and recalling once you’re both safely clear. Check local signage on arrival, as it covers any beach dog bans or diverted paths. Little terns and ringed plovers nest along this coast and are especially sensitive to disturbance during the breeding season.
Castle Eden Dene National Nature Reserve, near Peterlee
One of England’s largest ancient woodland dene systems (Google Maps), with a signposted circular route of around 3 miles starting from the Castle Eden Inn car park, following the Hart-to-Haswell Cycleway before descending into the dene itself. Expect steep, sometimes muddy sections and a narrow track near the stream. Keep dogs under effective control, and note that dog fouling rules are strictly enforced here.
Riverside
Durham Riverbanks, City of Durham
Starting near Framwellgate Bridge (Google Maps, Durham Cathedral’s own page), the lower riverbank path runs to the Fulling Mill and on to Prebends Bridge, taking in the Corn Mill folly and the Counts House summer house. Main paths are level with benches; paths crossing the river are narrower with slopes or steps. Dogs are welcome on the riverbanks and in the woodlands, with bins provided, and are even welcome inside the cathedral itself on a short lead.
Hardwick Park, near Sedgefield
A spring-fed lake and parkland setting with historic garden follies (Google Maps), with a circular route of around 3 miles taking in woodland and the lakeside. Main paths around the visitor centre are surfaced; wider parkland paths are grass and can be muddy. Dogs are generally said to be fine off-lead but should be kept under control near the lake, play areas and the café — County Durham Council directs specific dog-rule queries to its Countryside Service on 03000 264 589.
Woodland, country park and disused railway
Hamsterley Forest, near Bishop Auckland and Crook
A 2,000-hectare managed woodland along the sheltered Bedburn Valley (Google Maps, Forestry England’s own page), with several waymarked trails including the Bedburn Valley Walk and Three Becks Walk, plus a café at the main car park. Forestry England confirms dogs are allowed, but check their site or call 01388 488312 on the day for current on-lead guidance around livestock.
County Durham’s disused railway paths
County Durham Council maintains 14 former railway lines as flat, well-surfaced walking paths (council’s own page) — among the easiest routes in the county for less mobile walkers or multi-dog households. The Lanchester Valley Way (Consett to Broompark), Deerness Valley Way (Broompark to Crook), Waskerley Way (Consett to Stanhope) and Derwent Walk (Consett to Rowlands Gill) are among the best known. The council doesn’t publish dog-specific rules for these paths; general countryside code control applies.
Waldridge Fell Country Park, near Chester-le-Street
A lowland heath Site of Special Scientific Interest with two easy-access routes (Google Maps, council’s own page). We couldn’t confirm specific ground-nesting bird restrictions for this site, though as heathland it’s worth keeping dogs on paths during spring and summer as a precaution.
Upland and dale
Low Force and High Force, Upper Teesdale
A well-known waterfall walk along the River Tees (Google Maps), usually done as a there-and-back or circular from Bowlees Visitor Centre, taking in Low Force and then High Force — England’s largest waterfall by volume. Part of this route sits within the Moor House–Upper Teesdale National Nature Reserve, where you’re asked to keep to waymarked routes; black grouse, golden plover and ring ouzel breed here. As our County Durham hub page notes, dogs are welcome at High Force itself and in the hotel there, on leads, with extra care near the car park where livestock graze.
Hedleyhope Fell, near Tow Law and Crook
A Durham Wildlife Trust reserve on the Weardale fringe (Google Maps, Durham Wildlife Trust’s own page), popular with dog walkers and home to breeding curlew and lapwing. The Trust asks that dogs are kept on a short lead during spring and summer and that walkers stick to the paths to avoid disturbing nesting birds — no exact calendar dates are given, so treat “spring and summer” as the guide and check on arrival.
What we couldn’t confirm
Raby Castle’s grounds near Barnard Castle and Summerhill Country Park near Seaham both came up as plausible additions, but we only found them via third-party listing sites rather than the venues or council directly, so we’ve left the detail out rather than guess. Cassop and Thrislington nature reserves require a permit and aren’t casual walking spots, and Derwent Gorge and Muggleswick Woods need a permit away from the public footpath, so none of these are included here.
Upland walking makes for muddy paws and tired legs. Calmshops’ dog vitamins and supplements collection is worth a look for everyday extras — your vet is the right person to ask what suits your dog specifically. Our County Durham dog trainers guide is the next stop if recall near livestock is something you want to work on before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best coastal dog walk in County Durham?
The Durham Heritage Coast between Seaham and Blackhall Rocks is rated a top dog-friendly destination by the National Trust, with beaches, clifftop meadows and wooded denes.
Are there flat, easy dog walks in County Durham?
Yes — County Durham Council maintains 14 disused railway paths, including the Lanchester Valley Way and Derwent Walk, which are flat and well-surfaced throughout.
Do I need to keep my dog on a lead in County Durham during nesting season?
Several sites, including the Durham Heritage Coast and Hedleyhope Fell, ask for a short lead during spring and summer to protect ground-nesting birds. Official sources don’t give exact calendar dates, so check local signage on arrival.
Written by Georgiana & Figo.
