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Walking holidays with your dog
Dogs love a bit of fresh air, and here in Wales we have thousands of miles of footpaths and bridleways just waiting to be explored on four legs! If you are planning a walking holiday but don't want to leave your best friend at home, we can help. A UK walking holiday is a great choice for dog owners, avoiding the stress of kennels or travel associated with an overseas holiday. And of course you get the companionship of your beloved pet along the trail. Here at Drover Holidays we are continually expanding our range of dog-friendly holidays, and have arranged walking tours for dogs ranging from Labradors to Jack Russells (and their owners of course) so you are in good hands.
As with all our self-guided tours, the package includes quality B&B accommodation, daily luggage transfer, transfers to and from the path where required, route maps & a guidebook.
Our dog-friendly walking holidays also include:
- Dog-friendly B&Bs where your pet is welcome. We can arrange for your dog to be accommodated in your bedroom, indoors (for example in a utility room) or in a kennel or outhouse, depending on your preference and availability.
- Transfer of food, bedding any other items for your dog with your own luggage.
- Advice from the Countryside Council for Wales about how to minimise your impact and ensure you and your dog stay safe in rural areas.
- Details of veterinary practices along the route, in case your dog needs treatment during the course of the walk.
- A "pet passport". We will ask you to provide us with details of your dog's age, breed and sex as well as a photograph. We use these details to create an ID card for your dog. A copy is kept in our office and you receive one to take on the walk with you. It's not obligatory, but in the event of your dog going missing this system could help reunite you more quickly.
Frequently asked questions about dog-friendly holidays
- Are there any additional costs?
Drover Holidays does not make any additional charge for arranging a holiday involving one or more dogs. However, some of our accommodation partners may make a small charge to cover the costs of cleaning associated with having a dog stay, particularly if your pet sleeps in your room. Charges are in the region of £5 to £10 and will be added to your tour balance. We will always advise you in advance if any supplements for your dog are being levied by B&Bs.
- Do the walking routes involve crossing stiles?
Yes, all our routes involve crossing at least some stiles. You should make sure that your dog is happy crossing them, as not all stiles are fitted with a dog-friendly gate mechanism. Some ladder stiles may also be encountered which even the most agile dog will find difficulty negotiating! You should always be prepared to lift your dog over stile and other obstacles if necessary.
- Are all your routes suitable for dogs?
We are continually expanding our list of dog-friendly accommodation. At present, we can certainly welcome dogs on our Offa's Dyke Path, Beacons Way, Wye Valley Walk and Taff Trail routes. If you have another route in mind, please contact us for advice. Certain routes, or sections of them, bring the walker into close contact with wildlife, such as nesting birds. We recommend you consider carefully before taking a dog on our coastal routes in particular, which also involve potentially hazardous steep drops and clifftop paths.
- How fit does my dog need to be for a walking tour?
This will depend on the tour but we do recommend a reasonable level of fitness for all our holidays. Routes are graded from Easy to Strenuous depending on the amount of ascent and descent and the terrain - our detailed route itineraries provide more details as well as daily distances, which range from 5 to 20 miles per day. Ultimately, you know your dog and are the best person to judge what he or she will enjoy. If you are in any doubt, we recommend you contact a veterinary professional.
To enquire about a dog-friendly walking tour in Wales, you can either contact us for suggested routes or take a look at our self-guided itineraries.
We regret that at the present time we are unable to accept dogs on our guided walking tours. However if you would like to book a private guide for your group and bring your dogs along, we'd be delighted to hear from you.
