13 Dog Walks In Cardiff To Explore With Your Dog!
Do you want to find some great dog walks in Cardiff?
As someone who has grown up with dogs, I know that they need a lot of exercise!
Hi, I’m Caitlin, I’ve had two dogs in my lifetime: a black labrador who was called Strider and my current dog is a crazy greyhound called Tess.
Tess was a racing dog before I got her so she needs at least one walk a day. I enjoy being able to plan in advance or at least have a good idea of where I can take her for a walk.
I live in Wales, right by the beach so lots of our walks are beach walks. However, we both enjoy lots of dog walks in wales.
Some of the nice dog walks near me in North Wales are: up Conwy Mountain, Bryn Euryn, and around the lake at Llanberis. Tess isn’t fond of the water but does enjoy running on the sand at Lligwy Bay on Anglesey.
We’ve also loved discovering walks in other areas of Wales and I wanted to share some of the fabulous walks I’ve discovered in and around dog-friendly Cardiff.
Here’s my list of 13 great places to take your dog for walks of all kinds.
These can be enjoyed by families or alone. Some are easy walks for kids and some are more suited for adults.
Walks with your dog are the perfect time to get some fresh air and see some beautiful sights. Every place on this list has wonderful surroundings.
Don’t head for a plain old dog park Cardiff, get out into the country parks and enjoy yourselves!
From Cardiff Castle to Forest Farm Country Park, there are dog walks in Cardiff and dog walks near Cardiff for everyone.
Ps; make sure you check out this dog travel checklist, so you know what to bring when traveling with your dog!
13 Best Dog Walks In Cardiff
- Cardiff Bay Barrage
- Bute Park
- Cefn Onn Park
- Garth Mountain
- Roath Park
- Insole Court
- Pontcanna Fields
- Heath Park
- Coed Y Wenallt
- Forest Farm Country Park
- Fforest Fawr
- Whitmore Bay
- Victoria Park
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1.Cardiff Bay
The best walk around Cardiff Bay is about 4.5 miles. It’s friendly to both walkers and cyclists, so if your dog loves to run while you ride your bike then this is a great place to go.
This walk takes you all around the bay and you get beautiful views of the lake, which was once part of the estuary.
If you have to walk your dog before you head to work, you can enjoy watching the sunrise and the light sparkle on the water early in the day.
You can go for walks up and down the bay or you could try out some of the trails, the Cardiff Bay Trail is a favorite! This trail is about 6.2 miles and it goes all the way from the bay to Penarth town via a 140-meter bridge.
Cardiff Bay also offers boat tours around the Bay. For GBP £9.80 (USD $10.61) you can spend 45 minutes enjoying the stunning views of Cardiff Bay and Penarth Barrage from a seat on a boat.
Address – Queen Alexandra House, Cargo Rd, Cardiff Bay, CF10 4LY
Entry Cost – No Charge.
Opening Times – Open 24 hours a day.
Local Tip – You will need to pay and display for car parking at Cardiff Bay.
2.Bute Park
Bute Park offers many different trails, all suitable for both dogs and kids. If you want to take your family out for a nice afternoon walk, or if you want to head out with your dog for some alone time then this is a great walk to try.
There are some rules that they ask you to follow, such as keeping your dog on a lead and picking up after them.
You can find the rules on their website.
While most of the trails are aimed at young families, with lots of different activities to do, if you just want to go and walk your dog then you’ll also have a fine time. I recommend the Blackweir Woods Trail if you just want to walk and enjoy the scenery.
There are four different cafes around the park, so if you fancy getting a drink before, after, or during your walk then there are plenty of options to choose from. Summerhouse Café even offers water bowls for your dog as well as doggy ice creams.
Right by Bute Park is Castle St where you can find the meeting point for the Doctor Who Cardiff walking tour.
This tour is perfect for anyone who loves Doctor Who. Listen as your guide tells and shows you lots of locations where the show was shot. For only GBP £15.00 (USD $16.19) you can follow in the footsteps of the Time Lord himself.
Address – Bute Park, North Rd, Cardiff, CF10 3ER
Entry Cost – No Charge.
Opening Times – 7:30am – 7pm every day.
Local Tip – This park is great for a picnic. Don’t forget to bring something for your dog though.
3.Parc Cefn Onn
If you are a dog walker Pontprennau based then Parc Cefn Onn is a great walk to try out.
If you enjoy forest walks then this walk is for you. With fantastic scenery for you and lots of different smells for your dog, this walk has something for both you and your pup.
While this walk is shorter than some of the others on this list this doesn’t take away from the natural beauty of the walk. It’s great any time of year but if you go in autumn then you will be greeted by the most amazing display of colors.
Address – Parc Cefn Onn, Lisvane, Cardiff, CF14 0EP
Entry Cost – No Charge.
Opening Times – 7am – 30 minutes before sunset.
Local Tip – dogs MUST be kept on a lead while dog walking Pontprennau!
4.Garth Mountain
While Garth Mountain might not be the easiest walk on this list it probably has the best views of any of the dog walks Cardiff. There are different trails to get to the top, some harder and steeper than others but whatever trail you take, both you and your dog will get a good workout.
As steep as this walk is, the views at the top are just too amazing to miss. They are worth every step it takes to get you to the top. Both you and your dog will enjoy and feel energized after this trip. This walk will take about 1 hour to complete.
There is no on-site parking, however, there is a train that stops at Taffs Well, which is where most people start the walk. Or there is parking at Fforest Fawr Car Park, which is a bit further away but open 24 hours a day.
Address – Garth Mountain, Cardiff, CF15 9NS
Entry Cost – No Charge.
Opening Times – Open 24 hours a day.
Local Tip – Best in winter following the snow.
5.Roath Park
This walk takes you in a large loop around Roath Park Lake with many stops including benches, cafes, and even a botanic garden. This route is great if you and your dog enjoy running together as the entire way around the lake is flat.
If I’m looking for an easy location on a Sunday afternoon to walk my dog Cardiff, then I tend to head here.
Like most places, there are bound to be people of all ages exploring the park, so you must keep your dog on a lead. Roath Park is full of wildlife to discover including ducks, swans and more. Evenings and afternoons can get very busy so best to go early.
Address – Roath Park, Lake Rd W, Cardiff, CF23 5PA
Entry Cost – No Charge.
Opening Times – 7:30 am – half an hour before sunset.
Local Tip – On-street parking available.
6.Insole Court
Insole Court grounds are a great place to take your dog for a walk and even to take your family for a picnic. It is a grade 3 listed park that offers wonderful scenery to experience as you walk.
Dogs are allowed in the gift shop and cafe but MUST be kept on a lead while inside. While in the cafe dogs must also be kept off the furniture. If your dog loves chilling in the sun then this is also a great place to take a blanket and a book.
The gardens are bursting with colors and both you and your dog will enjoy exploring every spot.
Address – Insole Court, Fairwater Road, Llandaff, Cardiff, CF5 2LN
Entry Cost – Entry into the grounds is free but entry into the mansion is GBP £5 (USD $5.71) for adults and free for those under 16.
Opening Times – Open from 10:30 – 4pm every day unless there is a wedding or event on at the mansion.
Local Tip – Best get to the car park early, as it is first come first served.
7.Pontcanna Fields And Sophia Gardens
Pontcanna Fields and Sophia Gardens is a city center park. It’s a quiet place to take your pup for a nice relaxing afternoon walk.
It is a grade 2 listed park, it’s great for walks with your dog and even runs. And there’s a river nearby that you can walk alongside.
With a riding school nearby it’s not uncommon to spot a horse and rider out in the gardens as well as animals such as swans and squirrels. Please keep your dog on a lead.
Not far from the gardens you can find the beginning of Cardiff scavenger hunt. For GBP £11.22 (USD $12.11) explore Cardiff’s top landmarks whilst solving challenges along the way. This not only makes for a fun activity to fill some time but with all the walking it’s great for your dog as well.
Address – Pontcanna Fields and Sophia Gardens, Fields Park Rd, Pontcanna, Cardiff, CF11 9JP
Entry Cost – Pay and display with a maximum price of GBP £3 (USD $3.43).
Opening Times – Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Local Tip – There is a riding school nearby, so keep dogs on a lead and under control.
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8.Heath Park
If you and your dog enjoy woodland walks then you will love Heath Park. This park is full of trees, wildlife and ponds. Heath Park is a great choice if your dog likes to roam free, as it does allow off-lead dogs. However please be aware and respectful to others.
Heath park offers activities for all ages, including a playpark, a mini golf course, a sports area, and more. So you can take your family knowing that there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Address – Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4AW
Entry Cost – Entrance to the park is free. Parking for up to 2 hours is free.
Opening Times – Open 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Local Tip – There are many different types of trees in the park. I challenge you to find out which varieties you can spot!
9.Coed Y Wenallt
Perfect for a dog walk (and one of my favorite dog walks in south Wales) but also full of places for you to explore and for your four-legged friend to sniff.
While visiting anytime of the year is great, if you visit in the spring then you will be greeted by hundreds of bluebells which just adds to the beauty of the walk.
The Wenallt is another area of woodland full of wildflowers, wildlife and trees.
The wildlife includes badgers and buzzards so if you know someone who loves animals then this is a great place to take them on a walk. Even better if they also have a dog.
Address – Coed y Wenallt, Wenallt Road, Cardiff, CF14 6TQ
Entry Cost – No Charge.
Opening Times – Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
Local Tip – Don’t miss the rope swings!
10.Forest Farm Country Park
At Forest Farm Country Park, you can walk alongside a canal with ducks and water lilies. This walk can be as long or as short as you and your dog want. So you can take your headphones (or enjoy the sounds around you) and walk until you decide to stop.
The car park also has picnic tables, so you can take your lunch and eat before or after your walk, so it’s great to take the opportunity and make a trip out of it. Head over, eat lunch, and then walk.
Address – Forest Farm Country Park, Forest Farm Rd, Cardiff, CF14 7JH
Entry Cost – No Charge.
Opening Times – Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Local Tip – The car parks are open 24 hours a day.
11.Fforest Fawr
When it comes to dog walks in Wales, Fforest Fawr is a stunning area of woodland behind Castell Coch with multiple trails for you and your dog to explore.
Some trails are relatively easy while others are a bit more challenging. All of them make for a wonderful walk.
Some of the trails include The Sculpture Discovery Trail, which is about 1¼ miles (approximately 1 hour) and the Three Bears Trail, which is about 1½ miles (approximately 1 ¼ hours long), or one of the harder walks, The Sir Henry’s Trail, which is about 2 ½ miles (approximately 2 hours long).
Whichever trail you pick will offer you stunning views and a wonderful memory. Fforest Fawr is a popular spot due to it being used for filming in shows such as Merlin and Doctor Who.
Please note that while you can explore inside Castell Coch, dogs are not permitted inside so best to save that trip for another day.
Address – Fforest Fawr, Caerphilly, CF83 1NG
Entry Cost – Free parking.
Opening Times – Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Local Tip – The woodland below Castell Coch is frequently used for filmmaking.
12.Whitmore Bay
If your dog loves running on the sand and playing in the sea then Whitmore Bay is a perfect place to get some fresh air. While a bit of a drive from the main city, the cafes and views are worth it. This is my favorite Cardiff dog beach.
Between the months of October and April dogs are allowed to roam on the beach, but between May and September they are banned from the beach. If you want to take your pup for a run on the beach then it’s best to take them in the winter.
However, even when your dog cannot go on the beach itself, the promenade offers a wonderful walk for you both to enjoy.
Address – Whitmore Bay, Promenade, Barry, CF62 5TQ
Entry Cost – GBP £5 (USD $5.67) for all-day parking.
Opening Times – Open all year round. Dogs are not allowed on the beach between May and October.
Local Tip – Dogs should be on a lead at all times.
13.Victoria Park
While this park is more suitable for kids and families, there’s nothing saying you and your dog can’t enjoy a nice walk. Victoria Park is a grade 2 listed park including a playpark, areas for sports, and even a splash park (check the website for open times).
Like Fforest Fawr, Victoria Park has also been used to film a few scenes in Doctor Who, so you can walk around and try to spot all the filming locations.
The park is great for any kinds of walks and even for running. Due to the splash park, it is bound to be busy in the warmer weather, so be on the lookout for young kids and make sure to keep your dog close by and under control.
Victoria Park is also a fabulous place to meet other puppies Cardiff based, which is great if you’re working on puppy socialization.
Address – Victoria Park, Victoria Park Rd E, Cardiff, CF5 1EH
Entry Cost – No Charge.
Opening Times – Open 7 days a week from 7am till 30 minutes before sunset.
Local Tip – Don’t miss seeing the statue of Billy the Seal while you’re at the park.
FAQs on Dog Walks In Cardiff
Where Can I Walk My Dog In Cardiff?
Some Of The Best Dog Walks in Cardiff.
How Dog-friendly Is Cardiff?
Cardiff is a great place to consider as Cardiff is full of dog-friendly attractions. Even if your normal holiday would be somewhere more rural then a city, both you and your dog will enjoy the walks Cardiff has to offer.
Are Dogs Allowed In Roath Park?
Roath Park does allow dogs, however dogs do need to be kept on leads around the park. The Park is a great place to take your dog, even more so if you both love a good run together.
Where Can I Walk My Dog In South Wales?
The Best Dog Walks In South Wales
Is Insole Court Dog Friendly?
Yes! Insole Court is proud to be a dog friendly venue. While they do require your dog to be on a lead while inside, you are more than fine to bring your dog with you on your visit.
Which Of These Dog Walks In Cardiff Will You Explore First?
Do any of these places capture your attention? Which Cardiff dog walking trail will you explore first? Don’t forget to pack dog bags and a dog leash and remember not everybody likes dogs and it’s important to be respectful.
I hope that some of the places on this list make you want to head out on an adventure with your dog. Easy or hard, with kids or without, it’s time to get up and get out of the house. Let’s go and explore some beautiful dog walks in Cardiff!
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