Denbighshire might be my favourite county for variety — in one weekend you can have sand between your paws on the coast, a proper lung-busting climb in the Clwydian Range, and a gentle amble along a canal towpath. Here’s our pick of verified walks, with the dog rules that actually matter stated plainly.
Coastal: Rhyl Beach & Prestatyn Beach (including Barkby Beach)
Long, flat sandy beaches and promenades along the North Wales coast, easy underfoot and ideal for all fitness levels. Denbighshire County Council’s own page sets out exactly when and where dogs can go:
- 1 October to 30 April: dogs are allowed anywhere on the beach, no restrictions.
- 1 May to 30 September (summer season): dogs are restricted to designated dog-exercise areas only. At Rhyl and Prestatyn, that’s from the Kite Surf Café in Rhyl east to Ffrith Festival Gardens and Groyne 9 in Prestatyn. At Barkby Beach, Prestatyn, it’s the area east of The Sailing Club.
On-site signs and maps show the exact permitted areas each summer. We couldn’t find a stated lead requirement even within the permitted areas, so check the signage on arrival.
Source: Denbighshire County Council, “Dogs on our beaches”
Upland: Moel Famau & Jubilee Tower Circular
The signature Clwydian Range walk, about 5 miles south-west of Mold. A waymarked circular climbing through forest to the Jubilee Tower on Moel Famau’s 554m summit, then back across open hillside along the Offa’s Dyke Path. Moderate grade, 3.6 miles (5.8km), 918ft (280m) of ascent, around 2.5 hours. The car park has picnic tables and accessible toilets (pay and display, £2.50 for 3 hours up to £6 a day, card/contactless only; no on-site staff).
This one comes with a genuine warning: dogs must be kept on a lead here. It’s repeated, explicit guidance from the Clwydian Range AONB and local press, and it isn’t hypothetical — a sheep was killed by two off-lead dogs here in June 2023, reported to police, and rangers have repeated lead appeals across the range after a lamb was separately injured. There’s also a general legal point worth knowing: on open access land, including this upland, dogs must be on a lead no longer than 2 metres between 1 March and 31 July each year to protect ground-nesting birds, with fines of up to £1,000 for breaching it.
Sources: Natural Resources Wales; Clwydian Range & Dee Valley AONB; NRW ground-nesting bird guidance
Riverside: Loggerheads Country Park
A wooded river valley walk following the River Alyn, on the A494 between Mold and Ruthin, run by Denbighshire County Council and open year-round. There’s a visitor centre, café, the restored Pentre Mill, picnic areas and nature trails, plus the dramatic Devil’s Gorge, two roughly 30m limestone cliffs crossed by a footbridge. Good mix of easy valley-floor paths and more dramatic gorge scenery. We couldn’t find a stated lead or seasonal rule specific to this park, so the general countryside code applies — check on-site signage when you arrive.
Valley: Llangollen History Trail
Starting in Llangollen town, this official Visit Wales route follows the Llangollen Canal towpath and the River Dee past Horseshoe Falls (a good picnic spot) and Llantysilio Church, climbs to the ruins of Valle Crucis Abbey, and on to the hilltop ruins of Castell Dinas Brân — a steep climb, but worth it for the views, even though little of the castle itself remains. Total distance about 6 miles (9.5km). Visit Wales flags that some sections are challenging, with steep paths and stiles, and since the route crosses farmland near the abbey and castle, they recommend following the Dog Walking Code around livestock.
Source: Visit Wales, “Historic Llangollen Walks”
Worth a look: World’s End
The Eglwyseg Valley near Llangollen, home to a dramatic limestone-scarp landscape and popular with hillwalkers, often linked up with the Panorama Walk and Castell Dinas Brân. We haven’t verified full route and dog-rule detail for this one to the same standard as the walks above, but it’s a genuine Denbighshire spot worth exploring if you want to go further than the History Trail.
Whichever walk you choose, Figo always travels with a towel and a few calming treats in the car for the journey home — Clwydian Range roads have a way of making even the calmest dog feel a bit carsick.
FAQs
Can dogs go on Rhyl and Prestatyn beaches all year round?
From 1 October to 30 April, yes, anywhere on the beach. From 1 May to 30 September, dogs are restricted to designated exercise areas only, which are clearly signed on-site — check Denbighshire County Council’s own page for the exact zones.
Do dogs need to be on a lead at Moel Famau?
Yes. It’s explicit, repeated official guidance, partly because of documented sheep-worrying incidents, and separately there’s a legal lead requirement on open access land between 1 March and 31 July each year to protect ground-nesting birds.
Is the Llangollen History Trail suitable for all dogs?
Mostly, but Visit Wales flags some genuinely challenging sections with steep paths and stiles, and the route crosses farmland, so it’s worth following the Dog Walking Code around livestock and considering your dog’s fitness before attempting the full 6-mile route.
