Derbyshire might be the best-equipped county in England for dog walks, purely because so much of the Peak District sits inside its borders. Figo’s personal favourite changes every time we visit, but here’s our pick of verified walks, across every type of terrain the county offers.
Upland: Kinder Scout from Edale
Edale village, Hope Valley. A classic moorland ascent onto the Kinder plateau via Jacob’s Ladder or Grindsbrook Clough — typically 8-10 miles, strenuous, rough gritstone and peat moorland, genuinely exposed in bad weather.
The National Trust, which manages this estate, says dogs are welcome but must be kept on a short lead. Separately, this whole area is Open Access land, where the statutory rule applies: dogs must be on a lead no longer than 2 metres between 1 March and 31 July to protect ground-nesting birds, and a lead is required at all times near livestock. This is genuine sheep-farming and grouse-moor country, with a real history of livestock-worrying incidents, so take the lead rule seriously.
Sources: National Trust (nationaltrust.org.uk/kinder-edale-and-the-dark-peak); Peak District National Park Authority access-land FAQs.
Woodland: Longshaw, Burbage & Padley Gorge
Longshaw Estate, S11 7TZ, near Hathersage and Grindleford. Mixed moorland edge and ancient oak/birch woodland, with Burbage Brook running through Padley Gorge; several marked trails of 2-5 miles.
The National Trust asks for dogs on leads throughout, with a short lead “essential” around sheep, and flags March to August specifically as the period when ground-nesting birds are most vulnerable off-path. We couldn’t find an official statement on dogs swimming in Burbage Brook — check on-site signage if that’s part of your plan.
Riverside/gorge: Ilam Park & Dovedale
Ilam Park, DE6 2AZ, near Ashbourne. River-valley woodland and a dramatic limestone gorge, home to the famous stepping stones. A there-and-back from the stepping stones runs about 3 miles; the fuller loop to Milldale is closer to 8 miles round trip.
Dogs are welcome year-round on leads, with a short lead “essential” near sheep. Dovedale is also a National Nature Reserve, so short leads are specifically requested to protect wildlife as well as your dog.
Riverside/valley: Derwent Valley & Ladybower
Fairholmes car park, Derwent Valley, S33 0AQ. A 4.6-mile, moderate loop following Ladybower Reservoir’s shoreline, crossing farmland and wooded cloughs before climbing to open moorland; gates and stiles throughout. The National Trust is explicit here: dogs must be on a lead at all times, specifically to protect grazing farm animals, wildlife and other visitors.
Reservoir: Carsington Water
Carsington Water Visitor Centre, Ashbourne Road, Carsington, DE6 1ST — a Severn Trent Water site that doubles as an RSPB reserve. Three graded trails: the 1-mile Stones Island Trail (accessible loop), the 3-mile Dam Trail, and the full 7.5-mile Reservoir Trail through meadows and woodland.
Honest gap: we couldn’t find a Carsington-specific blue-green algae warning or swimming rule. Reservoirs generally carry a real blue-green algae risk in warmer months — Severn Trent has confirmed it posts warning signage at every access point on its reservoirs when blooms occur (documented at Linacre Reservoirs near Chesterfield after a dog fell ill in 2024) — so check on-site signage before letting your dog swim here, rather than assuming it’s always safe.
Trail: Monsal Trail & High Peak Trail
Two former railway lines turned into flat, accessible walking trails. The Monsal Trail runs 8.5 miles from Bakewell/Monsal Head to Blackwell Mill, through lit tunnels and over viaducts. The High Peak Trail runs a longer 17.5 miles from Cromford’s High Peak Junction to Dowlow, near Buxton, and is shared with cyclists and horse riders. We couldn’t find a trail-specific dog rule published for either by the Peak District National Park Authority or Derbyshire County Council — treat this as “keep your dog under control and watch for cyclists and horses, especially in the Monsal tunnels” rather than a specific quoted rule.
Country park: Shipley Country Park
Shipley Country Park Visitor Centre, Slack Lane, Heanor, DE75 7GX, between Derby and Nottingham. 20 miles of footpaths and bridleways including the Nutbrook Trail, plus a gentle 1-mile trim track, set across former colliery and estate parkland with a lake. Derbyshire County Council itself calls it “well known for being a dog-friendly site,” with poop-scoop bags provided at the visitor centre — though no specific lead rule near the lake is published, so check signage if that’s a concern for your dog.
Bonus: Chatsworth Park
Chatsworth, Bakewell/Baslow. Derbyshire’s signature estate, and genuinely popular with dog walkers — but Chatsworth’s own page is explicit: dogs must be kept on a lead at all times, because the park is grazed by sheep, cattle and deer, and loose dogs can harm the wildlife. No seasonal exception is stated.
Whatever walk you pick, Figo always travels with a towel and a few calming treats for the drive home — the Peak District’s winding roads have a way of catching out even the steadiest dog.
FAQs
Do dogs need to be on a lead at Kinder Scout?
Yes. The National Trust asks for a short lead throughout, and there’s a separate statutory rule requiring a lead no longer than 2 metres on this Open Access land between 1 March and 31 July to protect ground-nesting birds, plus a lead requirement at all times near livestock.
Can dogs swim at Carsington Water?
We couldn’t find a Carsington-specific rule either way, but reservoirs generally carry a blue-green algae risk in warmer months — Severn Trent has confirmed it posts warning signage at access points when blooms occur elsewhere in Derbyshire. Check on-site signage before letting your dog swim.
Is Chatsworth Park dog-friendly?
Yes, and it’s genuinely popular with dog walkers, but dogs must be kept on a lead at all times throughout the park, since it’s grazed by sheep, cattle and deer.
