Enjoying the Peak District with your dog
The Peak District National Park is a popular destination for dog owners, and dogs are welcomed in most areas of the countryside. This includes on popular sites managed by the National Park Authority such as the Stanage North Lees Estate and our all-user trails network. We also offer dog-friendly accommodation at our Cattis Side Cottage, near Stanage.
To help everyone have an enjoyable time and to protect wildlife and livestock, please keep your dog on a short lead at all times, clean up after them and follow the guidance below.
We know dogs are a much-loved member of the family and it can often be this close affinity which can inadvertently lead to mishaps or avoidable incidents.
Enjoying the National Park safely for you and your dog
The impacts from out-of-control dogs can be very distressing for you, your pet and the Peak District's wildlife and livestock populations.
In the case of livestock protection, landowners reserve the lawful right to intervene (by the use of firearms if necessary) if there is an immediate danger to livestock on their land. This can understandably have devastating consequences for both dog owners, and also farmers when their livelihood is impacted by an uncontrolled dog attack. In most instances these issues are completely avoidable by having dogs on a lead.
Wildlife impacts can often go unseen, for example with uncontrolled dogs straying into nesting and breeding areas where tramping or the general disturbance of eggs and young can take place quickly and with little visible evidence.
A dog off a lead can also lead to stress and worrying of livestock and make their actions less predictable for you as a visitor.
The safest and most responsible action you can take is to have your dog under close control on a lead. This can also help reduce the potential of pets escaping into the wider countryside away from sight of owners. Local canine search and rescue teams have previously dealt with incidents of lost pets in the Peak District, which can be a very concerning time as an owner.
These simple actions are especially important from the beginning of March onwards each year, so please take note of any additional signs or guidance given by rangers or wardens at this time.
What the law says
From 1 March to 31 July (annually) it is the law under the Countryside Rights of Way (CROW) Act 2000, to keep your dog on a lead of no more than 2 metres on Open Access land and at all times around livestock. On public rights of way it is the law to keep your dog under effective control at all times. Effective controls means near to you and that you have complete confidence that your dog will return immediately and directly to you when called.
On our trails
Dogs are welcome on our all-user trails network (such as the Monsal, Tissington, High Peak and Manifold routes), but please ensure they are under close control to avoid conflict with walkers, cyclists, horse riders or mobility users and to reduce the chance of injury to your pet.
Please clean up any mess left by your dog and either take poo bags home or deposit them the nearest suitable bin.
Cleaning up after your dog
Removal of dog mess is the responsibility of the owner and in some rural locations facilities such as 'poo bins' may not always be available. Please do not leave filled poo bags by signage or other equipment in car parks.
Allowing mess to remain on rights of way or other routes can impact on other visitors and lead to illness among livestock.
Where else can I go in the Peak District with my dog?
Along with the information above, our friends at Visit Peak District & Derbyshire can help with other dog-friendly places to enjoy in Derbyshire and the National Park.
The Canine Code
The National Trust’s Canine Code has some great advice and tips for first time visitors to the countryside with their four-legged friends!