Want to take your dog walking skills to the next level? Hiking with your dog through wild countryside is a chance to create beautiful, long-lasting memories. With new surroundings, every smell, noise, and flying insect is way more interesting than back at home for your pooch!
We suppose that’s why so many dog owners sail with us each year. Europe is full of awesome forests, spectacular mountains, and lush green spaces for your dog to roam around – and only a short ferry ride away from the UK.
Check out some of the best dog friendly hiking and walking trails in Europe and get some holiday inspiration.
The D-Day Beaches of Normandy
For many dogs, walkies on the beach are an unrivalled experience! The cooling waves and sea breeze, coupled with sunshine and the mysterious spray of sand can have an enchanting effect on your dog, as they gleefully race down acres of golden coastline.
While your dog might be hyperaware of the new smells and sights of the beach, they’ll be blissfully oblivious to the wartime history of the D-day Beaches. This 50-mile stretch of Normandy coast was the site of the largest seaborne invasion in history, as Allied troops began to liberate north-west Europe from Nazi occupation. For many, these beaches symbolise freedom and the devastating impact of war.
There are plenty of D-day museums tracing the area should you want to learn more. Omaha Beach welcomes dogs at any season and the high-grounds of Gold Beach offer stunning views and even has the dog-friendly America Museum to visit. One loop of this D-day museum will take around forty minutes, as you learn the careful planning behind the Gold Beach landings by the Allied Forces, with photos, memorials, personal objects & more.
You can reach Normandy beaches in just over 3 hours driving from the Calais Port. Consider bringing a couple of strap-on lights and a dog whistle for your Normandy beach hike. While dogs have superior eyesight to humans, bright coastal sunlight and an influx of new marine smells can distract them and get them lost. A loud dog whistle will help you guide your trusted canine buddy back to you every time.
The High Fens of Liege
The High Fens is Belgium’s largest nature reserve, spanning 45km of moorland, forests, ponds, and sweeping grassy plains. Some of this area is protected, meaning you can’t visit with your dog – but there are some beautiful, dog friendly hiking trails that your furry friend will adore! From Rotterdam Port, you can get to the High Fens in around 3 hours.
The Pleasure Tour 26 takes you through Belgium’s largest enclosed forest area, where sunlight peaks through the tops of trees, illuminating the forest fauna with a mysterious, glittering light.
At 8km, this hike is achievable for most dogs, though the terrain is quite hilly, so you might want to bring a picnic blanket and some snacks to for a rest at halfway. Dogs must be kept on a lead in the High Fens, so bring an expanding stretch leash to give your canine companion lots of room to roam the Belgian countryside!
Elsewhere in the High Fens, there are two more dog friendly hiking trails: Pleasure Tour 18, another 8km trek & Educational Trail (Poleur-Venn) which is much shorter at 3.1km.
Expect wild flower meadows and clusters of tall conifer trees whistling in the breeze. Belgian comic artist, Didier Comes based much of his work on the natural world here. Education Trail is made up of wooden walkways that sweep across ‘raised bogs’ – a collection of waterways and ponds that are the most important ecosystem of the High Fens.
Both of these dog friendly hiking trails will make for fun walkies for you and your dog, leaving you refreshed and ready for more adventure on the rest of your European travel.
Ruiterberg – De Kaap View Tower
Immerse yourself in the terrific woodland views of Ruiterberg – a hilly hiking trail nestled in Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park. With 9.2km of leafy footpaths, rich green pines, and a lake, it’s widely regarded as one of the best dog friendly hiking trails in Holland.
You can let your dog off the leash on this trail and let them embrace the exciting new sights and smells of the forest. Visit in autumn to see a parade of red, orange, and yellow leaves, plus woodland mushrooms and moss adorning the trails with rich colours.
Kids tend to love the De Kaap View Tower, so if you’re visiting with your family, you’ll want to give this 25-metre watchtower a visit. A climb to the top offers a terrific view of the huge forest, and even the cities of Utrecht and Amersfoort in the distance.
Inspired for your dog-friendly hiking holiday? Check out our ferries to Calais and Rotterdam today.
