Dovestone Reservoir Circular walk is dog-friendly and one of UK’s best

While some offer open space, clear paths and varied scenery, others can be overcrowded, difficult to navigate, or simply not suited to four-legged walkers.

Now, one scenic route on the edge of Greater Manchester has been named among the UK’s very best dog-friendly hikes, and it’s less than an hour away for Lancashire residents.

The Dovestone Reservoir Circular, near Oldham in the Saddleworth Moors, ranked sixth in a new nationwide study analysing Britain’s top-rated walking routes for dogs.

Outdoor retailer Millets examined more than 114,000 walker reviews, scoring trails based on popularity, user ratings, accessibility and terrain difficulty.

The results showed that the UK’s best dog-friendly walks aren’t necessarily the longest or most challenging; instead, walkers favour routes that combine beautiful scenery with manageable paths and enough open space for dogs to properly enjoy themselves.

The Dovestone route scored highly thanks to its accessible circular paths, waterside scenery and easy terrain, earning an average user rating of 4.7 stars from more than 1,600 reviews.

Stretching around the reservoirs and moorland above Saddleworth, the walk has become increasingly popular with families, casual hikers and dog owners looking for an easy countryside escape close to the city.

Walkers can expect sweeping water views, dramatic hills, stone paths and woodland sections, with plenty of stopping points along the route.

One of the biggest appeals is how accessible the trail feels compared to more demanding Peak District hikes.

While the scenery still delivers rugged northern landscapes, the route itself remains manageable for beginners and dogs alike.

According to Emma Johnson from Dog Owner’s Guide, the best hiking experiences for dogs often come from building up gradually rather than attempting difficult all-day treks immediately.

“You wouldn’t go from a short stroll to a full day hike overnight,” she explained.

“And it’s the same for dogs.”

That balance appears to be exactly why Dovestone Reservoir continues to attract walkers year after year.

The wider study found that Britain’s highest-rated dog-friendly walks typically feature well-maintained paths, varied scenery and moderate difficulty levels, whether through woodland, waterfalls, lakesides or coastal trails.

For walkers in Lancashire and Greater Manchester, however, Dovestone offers something particularly appealing: a scenic countryside route that feels far removed from urban life without requiring a long-distance journey.

And with summer approaching, it may soon become even busier.