🐾 Dog-Friendly Minehead: 8 Scenic Dog Walks Around Exmoor that you and your pup will love.

If you're lucky enough to live in or visit Minehead, you're on the doorstep of some of the best dog walking spots in the country. From wild moorlands to shaded woodland trails, Exmoor is a dog-friendly paradise. To help you plan your next outing, here are 8 top dog walks, complete with route details, parking, and handy tips.

Dog walking at sunset overlooking Porlock Bay.

🥾 1. North Hill Circular (Minehead)

Length: 3–5 miles

Parking: Free car park at Moor Wood, Moor Road

Route Type: Moderate, mix of moorland and woodland

Top tip: Keep dogs on leads during lambing season (spring) and near cliffs. Look out for Exmoor ponies!

Map marker: What3Words: ///drift.invent.voice

Good for: Active dogs, nature-lovers

North Hill sits proudly above Minehead and offers some of the best views in the area. From its open moorland, you can see across the Bristol Channel to Wales on a clear day. The trail takes you through peaceful pine woodland and across heathland bursting with colour in late summer. It's a wonderfully varied route with wide open spaces perfect for letting your dog explore (on lead when near livestock). Keep your eyes peeled for red deer and Exmoor ponies, which roam freely across the hill.

🌳 2. Horner Woods & Webber’s Post (Near Porlock)

Length: 2–6 miles (varied loops)

Parking: National Trust Horner Car Park (small fee)

Route Type: Shaded woodland, riverside

Top tip: The Horner Tea Gardens near the car park are dog-friendly and do a great cream tea!

Map marker: What3Words: ///traders.cycle.bridge

Good for: All dog types

Horner Woods is a magical spot that feels like something out of a fairytale. Towering oaks and mossy boulders line the gently babbling stream, creating a calm, shaded haven. It’s one of the largest ancient oak woodlands in the country, and in spring and early summer the forest floor is blanketed in bluebells and wild garlic. The climb to Webber’s Post rewards you with a stunning panorama of the wooded valley below and out to Porlock Bay. It's ideal for a cooling walk in warmer months and suits dogs who enjoy exploring under the trees and along streams.

🌊 3. Bossington to Hurlstone Point

Length: 3 miles return

Parking: National Trust car park at Bossington (£)

Route Type: Coastal path with incline

Top tip: Watch out for steep drops and keep your dog close near cliff edges.

Map marker: What3Words: ///surfing.cheat.moral

Good for: Fit, lead-trained dogs

This breathtaking walk starts in the charming village of Bossington and winds along the coast to Hurlstone Point. As you climb the path, expansive views unfold across the pebble beach and marshes to the sea. The route follows part of the South West Coast Path, with dramatic cliffs and rocky outcrops making for memorable scenery. At Hurlstone Point, an old coastguard lookout stands as a great spot to catch your breath and take in the views. Dogs who are confident walkers and happy on lead will enjoy this exhilarating coastal adventure.

🎈 4. Tarr Steps & River Barle

Length: 2.5–6 miles

Parking: Tarr Steps car park

Route Type: Riverside, gentle terrain

Top tip: Go early to avoid crowds. The path can be muddy after rain—bring towels for soggy paws!

Map marker: What3Words: ///trader.windmill.tour

Good for: All breeds, especially water-loving dogs

Tarr Steps is one of Exmoor's most iconic landmarks, featuring a medieval clapper bridge that spans the River Barle. This is a gentle riverside walk, perfect for dogs who love to splash and sniff. The woodland path is peaceful and shaded, and there's plenty of wildlife to spot, including dippers, herons, and even otters if you're lucky. You can choose from a short loop or a longer out-and-back walk upstream, with picnic spots dotted along the route. It’s a great family-friendly route and particularly popular in summer.

⛰️ 5. Dunkery Beacon

Length: 2–4 miles

Parking: Dunkery Gate (free, limited)

Route Type: Open moorland, moderate to steep

Top tip: It’s very windy at the top—bring layers for you and water for your dog.

Map marker: What3Words: ///tiny.fence.signal

Good for: Energetic, off-lead trained dogs

Exmoor ponies trotting across the moor on a beautiful sunny day.

Dunkery Beacon is the highest point on Exmoor, and the walk to its summit is well worth the climb. From the top, you'll be treated to breathtaking panoramic views across the moors, the Bristol Channel, and even as far as Dartmoor on a clear day. The route is open and windswept, with heather and bracken lining the track. It's perfect for active dogs with good recall who enjoy bounding through wide, open spaces. The walk can be challenging in poor weather, so pick a clear day for the best experience.

💧 6. Wimbleball Lake Circular

Length: Up to 9 miles

Parking: Main lake car park (pay-and-display)

Route Type: Lakeside trail, mostly flat

Top tip: Dogs must be on leads near livestock and around the dam. There's a café and toilets at the main car park. Dogs must be kept out of the water at all times, toxic Blue/ Green algae may be present which poses a serious risk to dogs.

Map marker: What3Words: ///cafe.tidy.crumbles

Good for: All dogs

Wimbleball Lake offers a peaceful, scenic walk around its shore, with well-maintained trails and plenty of wildlife. The full circular walk is nearly 9 miles, but shorter loops are possible. You'll pass through meadows, across bridges, and along wooded sections of trail. Swans, geese, and dragonflies are a common sight, and dogs love the chance to walk near the water and have a paddle at safe spots. It’s a perfect choice for calm dog walking, especially for sociable dogs used to encountering cyclists, children, and other walkers.

🏰 7. Dunster Castle & Deer Park

Length: 1.5–4 miles

Parking: Dunster Steep Car Park

Route Type: Easy, woodland & historical parkland

Top tip: Combine with a stroll through Dunster village, where many cafés are dog-friendly.

Map marker: What3Words: ///decks.purple.loudly

Good for: Older or nervous dogs

Dunster Castle's grounds and adjoining deer park provide a peaceful and historic setting for a gentle dog walk. Although dogs aren’t allowed inside the castle, they’re welcome in the expansive gardens, shaded paths, and the adjacent parkland. The Gallox Bridge area is especially picturesque, with ancient stone structures and flowing water. You might spot deer or hear owls in the trees, adding to the walk’s charm. It’s an ideal short outing for older dogs or those who enjoy a more leisurely pace.

🌾 8. Porlock Marshes & Weir

Length: 4 miles return

Parking: Porlock or Porlock Weir car parks

Route Type: Flat, coastal and wetland

Top tip: The Ship Inn at Porlock Weir is dog-friendly and a great post-walk pub stop.

Map marker: What3Words: ///vaulting.grew.warms

Good for: Easy-going or senior dogs

This relaxing coastal walk takes you through the Porlock Marshes to the quaint harbour at Porlock Weir. The route is rich in birdlife, with herons, ducks, and waders frequently seen in the wetlands. It’s mostly flat and easy-going, ideal for dogs who prefer steady terrain and enjoy sniffing around in grassy marshland. Porlock Weir itself is a lovely place to stop for a coffee or a pub lunch, with several dog-friendly options available. It’s a great mix of nature and local charm, perfect for an easy day out.

🐾 Final Woofs: Dog Walking Essentials

• Always carry poo bags and leave no trace.

• Bring a towel for muddy paws.

• Be mindful of wildlife and livestock—use leads when signs request it.

• Have water on hand—especially on long or sunny walks.

• Check local signage for any seasonal restrictions (e.g. nesting birds or lambing).

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Whether you're a Minehead local or just visiting, Exmoor offers something special for every kind of dog and owner. So clip on the lead, grab some treats, and get ready to explore the best dog walking routes in the area!