# 6 of the best dog walks in Northumberland Last checked: 22 September 2026. Six checked Northumberland dog walks, from an easy riverside estate circuit to full days on Hadrian’s Wall and the coast, with exact starts, official routes and the dog rules that matter. These are bounded manager-published routes rather than broad beauty-spot suggestions. Every profile separates the exact Maps arrival from the official route and states terrain, parking, facilities, livestock and wildlife limits. Northumberland paths can move quickly from sheltered woodland to exposed ridge, grazing land or beach. Carry water and a lead, open the live manager page before leaving and let closures and signs on the day override this checked guide. ## 01. Wallington River Walk **Best for:** An easy estate and riverside circuit **Distance:** 2.6 miles (4.16km) **Time:** 1 to 2 hours **Ground:** Natural and surfaced paths with gentle inclines, one stile and stepping stones **Start:** Wallington Courtyard, grid reference NZ028843 ![Visitors following a path through autumn woodland on the Wallington estate](/local-guides/dog-walks-northumberland/wallington-river-walk.webp) ### The route Start in Wallington Courtyard and follow the official nine-stage route through East Wood and the Walled Garden. Cross the River Wansbeck on the stepping stones, continue through Deanham Wood and Wallington Dean, then return through West Wood. [Open Wallington Courtyard in Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/?q=55.153137%2C-1.956191) [Open the official Wallington River Walk](https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/wallington/river-walk-at-wallington) ### What dog owners need to know Dogs are welcome on a lead for the whole route. The wider estate includes working farms and wildlife habitat, so keep to the path, leave gates as you find them and follow any local livestock signs. ### Before you go Parking is free. The current Wallington visitor page lists toilets, an accessible toilet and the Clocktower Cafe, but estate opening times change by date. Check the live opening table before travelling and carry dog water. **Watch for:** The stepping stones can be underwater when the River Wansbeck is high. Ask the team on arrival; the manager directs walkers to Paine’s Bridge when that crossing is closed. - [National Trust Wallington visitor information](https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/wallington) ## 02. Cragside Armstrong Trail **Best for:** Lakes, woodland and engineering history **Distance:** 2 miles (3.2km) **Time:** About 1 hour 30 minutes **Ground:** A flat first lake circuit followed by established paths, gravel, boardwalk, steep sections and steps **Start:** Cragside Visitor Centre, grid reference NU073022 ![Two visitors crossing the Iron Bridge below Cragside House and its wooded rock garden](/local-guides/dog-walks-northumberland/cragside-armstrong.webp) ### The route Follow the green waymarkers from the visitor centre around Tumbleton Lake, past the dam and Archimedes Screw, then into Debdon Valley. The route climbs through the Pinetum and rock garden before finishing by Cragside House. [Open Cragside Visitor Centre in Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=55.318633%2C-1.889886) [Open the official Armstrong Trail](https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/cragside/the-armstrong-trail-cragside) ### What dog owners need to know Dogs must stay on leads throughout Cragside outdoor spaces because of wildlife, livestock, steep drops and other visitors. Ordinary dogs cannot enter the House, where only assistance dogs are admitted. ### Before you go Parking is free, with designated mobility spaces beside the visitor centre and in the main car park. Toilets, adapted toilets and a cafe are listed. Water bowls are available in the visitor-centre courtyard and outside the House, and the estate lists 11 dog-waste bins. **Watch for:** The first lake section is flat, but later paths are steep and include steps. The route finishes near the House rather than exactly where it began. - [National Trust Cragside dog guidance](https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/cragside/visiting-cragside-with-your-dog) ## 03. Hareshaw Linn **Best for:** An ancient woodland waterfall **Distance:** 3 miles (5km) return **Time:** 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours **Ground:** A well-signposted woodland path with six bridges, inclines and possible mud **Start:** Hareshaw Linn National Park Car Park, grid NY840834 ![Hareshaw Linn waterfall and stream flowing through a mossy wooded gorge](/local-guides/dog-walks-northumberland/hareshaw-linn.webp) ### The route Leave the National Park car park and follow the signed path up the wooded valley. Cross all six bridges to the nine-metre waterfall, then return by the same route. The route passes remains from the former ironworks before entering the ancient woodland. [Open Hareshaw Linn Walk in Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Hareshaw%20Linn%20National%20Park%20Car%20Park) [Open the official Hareshaw Linn route sheet](https://www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Hareshaw-Linn-walk-route-NEW.pdf) ### What dog owners need to know The current route sheet says dogs must remain under control. Hareshaw Linn is a Site of Special Scientific Interest for rare ferns and lichens and supports red squirrels, birds and bats, so keep dogs close, stay on the main path and follow local signs. ### Before you go The National Park lists 26 free spaces, including four EV bays and two disabled spaces, plus picnic tables. The route sheet lists toilets and local services in Bellingham rather than at the trailhead. Carry water for your dog. **Watch for:** The route can be muddy and has inclines. Several nearby postcodes are published, so use the exact named car park, grid reference or manager directions rather than relying on a postcode alone. - [Northumberland National Park, Hareshaw Linn](https://www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/discover-explore/places-to-visit/north-tyne-redesdale/hareshaw-linn/) - [Northumberland National Park car parks](https://www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/discover-explore/visitor-info/car-parks/) ## 04. Hindhope Linn at Kielder Forest **Best for:** A compact forest waterfall route **Distance:** 1.25 miles (2km) **Time:** Not stated by the route manager **Ground:** A moderate forest route through conifer and broadleaf woodland, marked in orange **Start:** Hindhope Linn, Blakehopeburnhaugh, NE19 1SW ![Hindhope Linn waterfall dropping into a dark forest pool between mossy banks](/local-guides/dog-walks-northumberland/hindhope-linn.webp) ### The route From Blakehopeburnhaugh, follow the orange markers along the forest road and the path above Blakehope Burn to the waterfall. The circuit passes old Scots pine and larch before returning to the picnic area. [Open Hindhope Linn in Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=55.295435052205%2C-2.3407728912948) [Open the official Hindhope Linn trail](https://www.forestryengland.uk/hindhope-linn/hindhope-linn-kielder-forest) ### What dog owners need to know Dogs are allowed. Forestry England asks owners to keep dogs close and in sight, use a lead if recall is unreliable, prevent chasing people or animals and obey local signs. Bag waste and take it away or use a bin. ### Before you go The car park is open dawn to dusk. Parking currently costs £2.50 for up to one hour or £6.50 all day, with a separate £15 overnight charge after 5pm. There are no designated accessible bays. Toilets open from April to October and two picnic areas are listed. Carry dog water. **Watch for:** Facilities are seasonal, the route is graded moderate and this is a working forest shared with other visitors. Check current signs before starting. - [Forestry England visitor information](https://www.forestryengland.uk/hindhope-linn) - [Forestry England Dog Code](https://www.forestryengland.uk/dog-code) ## 05. Housesteads to Steel Rigg circular **Best for:** A longer ridge and Roman landscape day **Distance:** 8 miles (12.8km) **Time:** About 3 hours **Ground:** Established public footpaths with steep climbs, descents, stone-pitched sections and possible mud **Start:** Housesteads Visitor Centre, grid reference NY793684 ![Walkers crossing a rocky ridge above the open countryside near Housesteads](/local-guides/dog-walks-northumberland/housesteads-steel-rigg.webp) ### The route From Housesteads Visitor Centre, climb to the Fort and follow Hadrian's Wall Path west to Steel Rigg. Leave the car park there, follow the inland public footpaths through Hotbank Farm and return east to Housesteads. [Open Housesteads Visitor Centre in Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=55.010014%2C-2.324084) [Open the official Housesteads to Steel Rigg route](https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/hadrians-wall-and-housesteads-fort/housesteads-to-steel-rigg-circular-walk) ### What dog owners need to know Dogs must stay on a lead and under close control at all times. The route crosses open grazing land used by livestock throughout the year and important habitat for ground-nesting birds. ### Before you go Northumberland National Park manages the pay-on-entry car park, and charges apply to members too. The current route page says the visitor centre, its toilets and cafe are closed, with a coffee cart in the car park and toilets at the Fort and The Sill. Check the live page because facilities can change. Carry water. **Watch for:** This is an exposed ridge route with steep, muddy sections. Do not rely on the closed visitor-centre facilities, and use the live manager page before travelling. - [National Trust, explore Hadrian's Wall](https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/hadrians-wall-and-housesteads-fort/explore-hadrians-wall-and-housesteads-fort) ## 06. Craster to Low Newton coastal walk **Best for:** Castle views, dunes and a full coast day **Distance:** 7.7 miles (12.32km) **Time:** About 3 hours **Ground:** Rugged and uneven coast path, natural steps, dunes, a beach descent and firmer surfaced sections **Start:** Craster Quarry Car Park, grid reference NU256197 ![Dunstanburgh Castle above the rocky Northumberland coast and breaking waves](/local-guides/dog-walks-northumberland/craster-low-newton.webp) ### The route Walk from Craster Quarry Car Park through the village and follow the coast past Dunstanburgh Castle and Embleton Sands to Low Newton. The official route returns inland by Newton Pool, the golf course and Dunstan Steads before regaining Craster. [Open Craster Quarry Car Park in Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=55.47405%2C-1.593416) [Open the official Craster to Low Newton route](https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/embleton-and-newton-links/craster-to-low-newton-coastal-walk) ### What dog owners need to know Keep dogs on a short lead because the route crosses livestock fields and habitat for ground-nesting birds. The route manager also asks for short leads near livestock and close control on the beach. Obey every temporary shorebird fence and sign. ### Before you go The walk starts in the council-managed quarry car park. The route page does not promise toilets or drinking water at the start, so check local facilities before setting out and carry enough water for the full route. **Watch for:** Large sections are rocky or uneven, cows may be present and the route descends onto the beach. Check weather and path conditions, but do not assume a tide threshold because the manager does not publish one for this route. - [National Trust Northumberland coast dog guidance](https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/embleton-and-newton-links/visiting-the-northumberland-coast-with-your-dog) ## Planning your Northumberland dog walk Use the exact named start rather than a broad postcode, because several rural postcodes cover a wide area. Download the manager route before you lose signal, carry dog water, check opening or seasonal facilities, and expect mud after rain. On access land, National Park rules require a fixed lead no longer than two metres near livestock and from 1 March to 31 July, but local route signs remain the final instruction. [Northumberland National Park countryside access](https://www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/discover-explore/things-to-do/get-active-outdoors/walking/countryside-access/) [Forestry England Dog Code](https://www.forestryengland.uk/dog-code) [National Trust Northumberland coast dog guidance](https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/embleton-and-newton-links/visiting-the-northumberland-coast-with-your-dog) ## Questions about Northumberland dog walks ### Which Northumberland dog walk is easiest underfoot? Wallington is the easiest graded circuit in this shortlist, using natural and surfaced paths with gentle inclines. It still includes one stile and stepping stones, so it is not described as step-free. Cragside starts with a flat lake circuit but later becomes steep and stepped. ### Can dogs be off lead on these walks? Wallington, Cragside and Housesteads require leads, while the Craster route asks for a short lead because of livestock and ground-nesting birds. Hareshaw requires control, and Forestry England asks for close control with a lead when recall is unreliable. Signs on the day always take priority. ### Which route is best for a short dog walk? Hindhope Linn is the shortest at 1.25 miles. Its moderate forest path follows orange markers to the waterfall, and toilets open only from April to October. Wallington is longer at 2.6 miles but graded easy. ### Which walk is best for a longer day? Housesteads to Steel Rigg is eight miles across exposed, steep grazing land. Craster to Low Newton is 7.7 miles on rugged coast, dunes and a beach section. Both need sturdy footwear, a water plan and a live-condition check. ### Which route has the most useful facilities? Cragside lists water bowls and 11 dog-waste bins, plus parking, toilets and a cafe. Wallington lists toilets, an accessible toilet and the Clocktower Cafe, but its route page does not promise a drinking-water point. Carry dog water for every route. ### How current is this guide? Every route, arrival and dog rule was checked against the relevant managing body on 22 September 2026. Closures, livestock, bird protection and facility status can change faster than editorial copy, so official pages and site signs remain the final authority. Report a changed rule or route using the correction form on [the full guide](/guides/dog-walks-northumberland).