New Forest Dog Walks

Bring your dogs to the place of their dreams… the New Forest!

We truly are a doggy paradise here in the New Forest, with over 140 miles of safe off-road tracks, 40 miles of coast to explore and lots of different sights and smells for them to enjoy, there is no better place for a dog walk. Let them burn off some of that energy on a walk in the New Forest – there’s something to suit you and your pooch’s fitness level, whether it’s an exhilarating trek or a short, chilled stroll, we have some fantastic walks that you can follow with your best friend.

For a longer walk, why don’t you try out our Buckland Rings Trail, where you’ll walk through Roydon Woods Nature Reserve (where dogs are allowed to walk through on a lead) over the beautiful Setley Plain and then onto Buckland Rings, which is the site of a former Iron Age hill fort!

Or for a shorter walk, which is great for our more senior or slower companions, or for young families, follow our Whitefield Moor route, which is just 1.6 miles long (there is a shorter loop you can follow too if you wish). On this route you can enjoy the gorgeous Ober Water, where a stream runs through the forest, take in the beautiful scenery and you are likely to spot some wildlife on this walk too.  

For a proper good day out in the New Forest for you and your dog, take on the Lyndhurst Parish Walk. An 8.5 mile circular route taking you around the outside of the ‘capital’ of the New Forest and past some of our gorgeous (and very dog friendly) pubs, including The Waterloo Arms and The New Forest Inn, which are perfect for a stop on your walk to grab a drink and a bite to eat – these pubs are dog-friendly and will make sure your dog is looked after too, with water bowls and treats, so no-one goes hungry or thirsty. On this walk you’ll see the huge diversity of what this wonderful village and its surrounding has to offer, you’ll get to walk over the famous Bolton’s Bench, head through beautiful inclosures, over open heathland and through the bustling high street and onto quiet country lanes. We have lots of other brilliant pub walks for you to choose from too.

If coastal walks are your preference, we have miles of coastline which will not disappoint. Most of our beaches only allow dogs during the winter months, but a few allow them to have fun in the sea and on the sand all year round (except the main UK summer holiday) -  you can find out more information about the rules for each beach on our dedicated page. But as well as the beaches themselves, our coastal paths and sea walls are also perfect for a walk with your dog, in most places you will need to keep your dog on a lead, but the coast is a great place for you and your pooch to enjoy the fresh air and a little bit of exercise.

While your dog is enjoying its walks in the forest, it is important to remember to keep your dogs under close control, or on a lead if necessary, to minimise the disturbance to wildlife, livestock and other people. Please also remember to pick up after your dog, especially around car parks, on paths and where people play or picnic, and take bagged waste home if there is no bin nearby.

Residents and visitors of the New Forest can take a look at and join the New Forest Dog Owners Group. This Group promote responsible dog ownership in the New Forest and have a brilliant Dog Walking Code for all dog owners/walkers in the New Forest to follow, to ensure the safety of the dogs and our unique wildlife and nature in the New Forest.  

As well as being the perfect place to bring your dog for a walk, we are also home to loads of dog friendly cafes, pubs and restaurants so your dog can enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner or just chilling out somewhere local for a drink with you. There are also plenty of attractions and activities in the New Forest that welcome dogs and if you want to stay over, there are lots of dog friendly places to stay here too.

Dog walking routes to follow...

Bolderwood Radnor Trail

Bolderwood: Radnor Trail

Distance: 1.9 mile (3.1 km) Start: Bolderwood car park, grid ref SU 243 086, no postcode. what3words ///shell.frog.reserving Once past the Radnor Stone, this trail passes through sweet chestnut, oak and beech dating from the 1860s. It then skirts the fenced boundary of…

Blackwater: Tall Trees Arboretum Link

Blackwater: Tall Trees Arboretum

Distance: 1.1 miles (1.8 km) Start: Blackwater car park, Grid ref. SU 268 047 what3words ///crawler.secure.respected This is an easy walk through woodland, passing through the Arboretum which houses a beautiful collection of trees from many countries. The walk…

Ashurst Stroll Image

Ashurst Stroll

Distance: 2.8 miles (4.5 km) Start: Ashurst New Forest railway station or bus stop; Grid SU334 101, Postcode  SO40 7AA. what3words ///choirs.haircuts.pictured   From Ashurst railway station this short and easy walk explores a variety of landscapes that…

Janesmoor Pond

Janesmoor Pond

300 Metres This is a New Forest Access For All route. This is an easy walk around the Pond, enjoying the views of the water.  Janesmoor Pond is located just south of Fritham on the road to Stoney Cross. what3words ///bachelor.tilting.gong Click for PDF of route and more…

Copythorne and Cadnam Common

Copythorne and Cadnam Common

Distance: 4 miles (6.5 km) Start: Pollards Moor Road bus stop, Copythorne Grid ref. SU 303145, Post code SO40 2NZ what3words ///pink.confronts.songbook This walk starts by passing St Mary's Church before winding through Copythorne Common and its interesting mix of…

Blackwater Heartwood trail

Blackwater: Heartwood Trail

Distance: 0.7 miles (1.1 km) Start: Blackwater car park, Grid ref. SU 268 047 what3words ///crawler.secure.respected An easy waymarked circular walk through the Arboretum to experience the woodland and take in the variety of tree species. There are regular seats with…

Reptile Centre Discovery Trail

Reptile Centre Discovery Trail

1.1 Miles Starting point : New Forest Reptile Centre Car Park what3words ///oldest.brambles.bared Start and finish at the Reptile Centre near Lyndhurst on this circular walk and children’s sensory trail. The New Forest Reptile Centre is open all summer until the end of…

Rockford Common

Rockford Common Walk

Distance: 2.5 miles (4 km) Start: Rockford Common Car Park, Grid reference – SU164083, BH24 3NF what3words ///spillage.spacing.legal Rockford Common is an area of open heathland and woodland, grazed by livestock belonging to local commoners. The area is…

Whitefield Moor

Whitefield Moor : Short Loop

Distance: 1 mile (1.6 km) Start: Whitefield Moor car park, grid ref SU 274 026, no postcode. what3words ///ideas.dinner.ascendant Starting from Whitefield Moor car park, this walk passes along gravel tracks through a variety of habitats around Ober Water…

Hatchet Pond

Hatchet Pond

1.9 Miles This is a New Forest Access For All route. Hatchet Pond is the largest area of fresh water in the New Forest, which is located just outside the quaint village of Beaulieu. It is very beautiful and can be enjoyed on this easy trail. There are benched along the way, where…

Godshill and Castle Hill (Frankenbury Hill Fort)

Godshill and Castle Hill (Frankenbury Hill Fort)

Distance: 2.6 miles (4.2 km) Start: Godshill Cricket Pitch, Postcode SP6 2LL what3words ///steadier.tingled.thanks This walk takes you along quiet field and woodland paths to the site of an Iron Age hill fort. It then continues to a stream-side hamlet on the edge…

Bolderwood Jubilee Grove Trail

Bolderwood: Jubilee Grove Trail

Distance: 1 mile (1.6 km) Start: Bolderwood car park, grid ref SU 243 086, no postcode. what3words ///shell.frog.reserving Starting from Bolderwood car park this meandering route leads you past the deer fields and some majestic trees, the oldest of which date…

Keyhaven

Keyhaven Walk

1.9 Miles Keyhaven is approached from Milford on Sea. It is a small village with a very pretty harbour. There are easy walks along the sea wall with views of Keyhaven harbour, the Isle of Wight and Hurst Spit. The area is a good spot for bird watching. Keyhaven Car Park…

Walking

Cadmans Pool

500 Metres Cadman's Pool : what3words ///resurgent.bitter.flamenco This is a New Forest Access for All route. Great for picnics during your gentle walk, or just to sit and enjoy the view of the Pool.  Take a short stroll around Cadmans Pool and enjoy the…

Knightwood Oak

Knightwood Oak Stroll

0.4 Mile On this walk you will end up at the wonderful Knightwood Oak, this tree is believed to be the largest Oak tree in the New Forest. Knightwood Oak is protected by a traditional cleft oak fence. Enjoy the surroundings on this very easy walk. Knightwood Oak Car Park…

Whitefield Moor Long

Whitefield Moor : Long Loop

Distance: 1.6 mile (2.6 km) Start: Whitefield Moor car park, grid ref SU 274 026, no postcode. what3words ///ideas.dinner.ascendant Starting from Whitefield Moor car park, this walk takes you further along the Ober Water than the yellow route, giving more time to…

Blackwater tall trees

Blackwater: Tall Trees Trail

Distance: 1.4 miles (2.3 km) Start: Blackwater car park, Grid ref. SU 268 047. what3words ///crawler.secure.respected Stimulate your senses on this short but wonderful trail around the Tall Trees Walks. This walk takes you past majestic conifers planted in the…

Beaulieu River - Water blog July 2023

Beaulieu to Buckler's Hard Walk

Distance: 2 Miles Start: Starting point : Beaulieu Village Centre what3words ///cheetahs.swerving.mammoth One of the most popular routes for families is from beautiful Beaulieu to the historic Buckler’s Hard as the route follows a two mile footpath along fields and…

Bolderwood Deer Watch Trail

Bolderwood: Deer Watch Trail

Distance: 0.3 miles (0.5 km) Start: Bolderwood car park, grid ref SU 243 086, no postcode. what3words ///shell.frog.reserving This very short stroll from Bolderwood car park leads you to a deer viewing platform overlooking fields where wild herds of fallow deer are…

Keyhaven Marshes

Keyhaven Marshes

Distance: 3.5 miles (5.6 km)      Start: Keyhaven green bus stop, SO41 0TG, Grid Ref: SZ 304 916. what3words ///glitter.courier.emotional Along the route there are views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight and the Needles and opportunities to watch the…

Brockenhurst Village Walk

Brockenhurst Village Walk

Distance: 5 miles (8.1 km)    Start: Brockenhurst railway station Grid ref. SU 301 019  Post code SO42 7TW. what3words ///fulfilled.gladiator.corkscrew Brockenhurst is a picturesque village in the heart of the New Forest surrounded by some of the…

Burley Village Walk

Burley Village Walk

Distance: 4.2 miles (6.8 km)  Start: Burley Village Bus stop Grid ref. SU 221 031 Postcode BH24 4AB. what3words ///reporting.zealous.cooked This walk starts at the village centre before setting out on a circular walk around the edge of the village. There is a…

Tatchbury Mount

Tatchbury Mount Walk

Distance: 3 miles (4.8 km) Start: Hanger Farm Arts Centre, Aikman Lane, Totton, SO40 8FT what3words ///conjured.valued.twigs This trail starts at Hanger Farm Arts Centre, a restored Grade II listed timber framed barn, and heads up and around the Iron Age hillfort of…

Walhampton Monument Trail

Walhampton Monument Trail

Distance: 3.2 miles (5.1 km)         Start/End: Lymington Town Railway Station, SO41 9AU what3words ///lives.notion.calendars Visit the monument to Admiral Sir Harry Burrard-Neale (1765-1835), a prominent Naval officer and former MP for…

Brook to Minstead Village Walk

Brook to Minstead Village Walk

Distance: 7.2 miles (11.6 km) Start: Green Dragon pub and Bell Inn, Brook. Grid ref. SU 273 141 Post code SO43 7HE. what3words ///reframe.sweetener.buzzards Visit the Rufus Stone to discover the mystery surrounding the death of King William II. The route then follows…

Hale Village

Hale and Woodgreen Walk

Distance: 5.7 miles (9 km) Start: Woodfalls bus stop, near Woodfalls Inn, Grid ref. SU 198 198, Postcode SP5 2NN what3words ///blogs.faced.dumplings The route starts at Woodfalls and follows a section of the Avon Valley Path through fields and woods to the charming…

We're super dog friendly...

Searching for something?

Follow Visit the New Forest on Instagram