One of the many pleasures of owning a dog is that however idle you may be feeling; a dog will ensure that you get up out of that armchair a go for a good walk every day. If you are a dog owner in Wales, then you are doubly blessed because you have some of the most beautiful countryside in the world, right on your doorstep.
Walking with a dog, of course, requires you to be responsible for the behaviour of your animal. Always have your dog in sight and only let them off the lead if they are well trained. If you and your dog are serious walkers and enjoy a scramble over rocks, then you should make sure that you have pet insurance as this sort of activity can be dangerous, even if you dog is familiar with rough terrain. This will provide cover if your dog gets injured or has an accident. Always be sensitive to your dog’s age and physical condition. Take plenty of water along and don’t set off on an over-ambitious walk that is simply too much for your dog.
Snowdonia National Park
A vast network of footpaths for walkers of all abilities. The park website provides plenty of information about how to enjoy the park and offers different classifications of walking routes so that you don’t have to take on more than you and your dog can manage. ‘Leisurely Walks’ are over flat, easy ground and are between two and six miles in length. ‘Moderate Walks’ are of a similar length, but the terrain is a little more demanding. ‘Hard, Strenuous Walks’ involve steep gradients, rocky paths and are between 3 and 10 miles.
Brecon Beacons National Park
There is a wonderful variety of landscapes to be enjoyed here. Walk the rolling hills of the Black Mountains or experience the area’s industrial past on the Brinore Tramroad. Stroll the towpaths of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal and pause to enjoy a pub or a picnic, or take a bankside walk and discover the picturesque waterfalls on the rivers Melte, Hepste and Need-Fechan.
Eerdig, Wrexham
This beautiful stately home has a 1,200-acre estate in which you can enjoy beautiful woodland, a rich variety of plants and flowers as well as ornamental features and ancient ruins. Circular routes take you through the 18th Century landscaped parkland, along the banks of the Clywedog river, past the curious ‘Cup and Saucer’ water feature and on to the historic village of Felin Puleston.
The Gower Peninsula
The UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the nineteen-mile long peninsula is home to a mixed geology which results in a wide variety of scenery in a comparatively small area. There are wild moors, limestone cliffs and of course the immense golden sandy beaches. Some of the most beautiful sections of the Wales Coastal path are to be found along the peninsula. There are also an astonishing 1,200 archaeological sites.