Don’t want to go on holiday without your four-legged friend?
The Celtic Routes provides the perfect backdrop for dog friendly staycation inspiration. Here are a few suggestions for day trips and routes, both coastal and in-land, that you and your furry family members can enjoy together.
On a clear morning, you’ll be repaid with magnificent views as far west as Caldey, over to Lundy, then sweeping round to the Gower Peninsula. At 13km, Wales’ longest beach is a favourite of sun worshippers, swimmers and walkers alike.
Nestled between the shores of the Tywi Estuary and the rolling Carmarthenshire hills is the pretty village of Llansteffan. The golden sands of the main beach and the secluded cove of Scott’s Bay are worth a visit whatever the season.
This 11km-long stretch of beach is celebrated for its history of land speed records.
*Dogs are not allowed on the Blue Flag area of the beaches between 1st May and 30th September
Perched on a great limestone crag above the River Cennen, the dramatic silhouette of Carreg Cennen dominates the skyline for miles around and commands stunning 360 degree panoramic views over the Carmarthenshire countryside.
This beautiful traffic-free riverside path extends nearly eight miles from Pantyffynnon to Brynamman along the River Amman with great views to the Black and Betws Mountains and wonderful scenery.
You’ll find the enchanting glacial lake of Llyn y Fan Fach at the western end of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
On the borders of three counties – Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire – is the charming village of Cenarth. Its main attraction since Victorian times is the cascade of waterfalls on the River Teifi, where you can see the salmon jumping spectacle in September.
You’ll be greeted by 1.5km of uncrowded sweeping sand, dotted with sandstone towers standing in low-tide pools shimmering with tiny fish and shrimps, plus views of Skokholm and Gateholm islands.
A wide sandy bay backed by dunes that lead from The National Trust owned Bosherston Lakes. This beach has masses of soft sand at low tide ensuring enough space for everyone.
One of Pembrokeshire’s longest beaches, here you’ll find almost 2 miles of sand backed by a huge pebble bank formed after a big storm in 1859.
*Dogs are not allowed on the Blue Flag area of the beach between 1st May and 30th September
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path twists and turns for 186 miles from St Dogmaels in the north to Amroth in the south. It covers almost every kind of coastal landscape, from volcanic rock headlands, limestone arches, blowholes and sea stacks, to narrow glacial inlets.
*Dogs should be kept on leads on the coast path.
The area is known as the Pencaer Peninsula, although it isn’t actually a peninsula. Bordered on two sides by the sea and on the inland side by a line of low hills, it does give the feeling of being cut off from the rest of the world, in the best way possible.
This award-winning beach is especially popular with families, there are places to eat nearby, and lifeguards patrol the beach during the summer. Just north of Llangrannog beach is the secluded cove of Cilborth, accessed either from Llangrannog beach at low tide or via the cliff steps from the Coast Path.
Borth’s sandy beach is the longest in Ceredigion. With 3 miles of gently shelving golden sands, this beach is especially popular with families with younger children and pets.
Popular seaside holiday destination, well known for its dolphin spotting boat trips, award-winning beaches and variety of watersports.
*Dogs are not allowed on the Blue Flag area of the beach between 1st May and 30th September
Pumlumon, meaning ‘Five Peaks’, is a ridge of peaks in the Cambrian Mountains, the highest of which is Pen Pumlumon Fawr at 752m. Although it’s not the highest of Wales’ mountains, many people consider it the jewel in Wales’ crown. This is the great watershed of Wales, with the Severn and Wye rising and flowing to the east. Along with the Ystwyth, the rivers are the three sisters of Pumlumon.
The source of the River Teifi, one of the longest rivers in Wales, is found in the north of Ceredigion. This enchanting group of deep, glacial lakes are the perfect place to shrug off the bustle of daily life.
The Ceredigion Coast Path follows a 60 mile route between the Teifi and Dyfi estuaries. The Coast Path links towns and villages dotted along the spectacular Cardigan Bay coastline.
The historic town of Ardmore has a wonderful sandy beach which is located near the village centre. This sweeping beach is popular with families because of its safe bathing waters.
*Dogs must be kept on a leash
Here there are a half dozen sheltered and picturesque coves where excellent swimming and snorkelling can be enjoyed. The most popular is Counsellors Strand, a south facing beach between lofty red sandstone cliffs, and Lawlors, right in the village.
*Dogs must be kept on a leash
Almost a mile long, this shell strewn sandy beach is particularly good for children, and has suitable waters for bathing when the tide is in. It is a great beach to walk.
*Dogs must be kept on a leash
Meaning ‘Big Strand’, Tramore is one of the most aptly named towns in the region, with its famous 5km golden, sandy beach edged by the Atlantic Ocean.
The former Waterford City to Dungarvan railway line has been transformed into a 46km off-road cycling and walking trail. This route will take you across no fewer than 11 bridges, 3 viaducts and through a 400 metre-long tunnel.
The Coumshingaun Loop Walk is a moderate 7.5km route around the ridge and plateau of this natural amphitheatre, from which you’ll get stunning views of the dark lough 365m below. When it’s clear, you can see as far as the River Suir Bridge in Waterford City and Hook Head in County Wexford.
Mahon Falls is an 80m waterfall nestled in the Comeragh Mountains near Lemybrien. The dramatic waterfall which is surrounded by breathtaking beauty makes this a trip not to be missed.
This beach stretches over 11km from Raven Point to Ballyconigar, near Blackwater. Famous for its soft sand, the sprawling dunes and endless blanket of marram grass are a magnet for both wildlife and the visitors who take great delight in rolling down them!
*For all beaches, dogs must be kept on a lead
This beach has been a firm favourite with tourists since the turn of the century, and today is extremely popular with families, walkers and water sports enthusiasts. The woods that run alongside it offer a shady respite and even more places to explore.
*For all beaches, dogs must be kept on a lead
The name ‘The Sunny South East’ stems from this area as it prides itself on being the sunniest place in Ireland, receiving about 300 hours more sunshine each year than the national average.
*For all beaches, dogs must be kept on a lead
It’s the world’s oldest operational lighthouse, having stood for over 800 years. November marks the beginning of whale watching season off the Hook Peninsula. Back in the winter of 2010, there were reports of a number of Fin whales and a Humpback spotted off the coast at Hook Head.
These 4 looped walks start from the trailhead at Tintern Abbey and offer a combination of quiet woodland and coastline walks. The trails, which range from a 20-minute walk to a 2-hour hike, take you past some of the Hook Peninsula’s highlights: Tintern Abbey, Colcough Walled Garden and Saltmills Village.
One of the finest expanses of shoreline on the east coast, Three Mile Water at Brittas Bay is thought to have been the initial landing point of St Patrick in Ireland. With no headlands to disrupt the gentle rhythm of the waves breaking on the sand, this 5km stretch is perfect for bathing, sailing and walking.
County Wicklow is known for its walking trails and the coastal path from Bray to Greystones is one of the best. The 7km cliff walk runs close to the Dublin-Wexford railway, built during the 19th century. One of the most picturesque cliff walks on the east coast.
Just south of Dublin, County Wicklow – known as The Garden of Ireland – is a wild expanse of coastline, woodland and imposing mountains through which runs the country’s most popular walking trail. The Wicklow Way is also Ireland’s oldest marked trail.
*Dogs must be kept on a lead
In the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains, Blessington Lakes is a 5,000-acre reservoir formed over 70 years ago. You can walk or cycle the 6.5km Blessington Greenway along the lakeshore and into natural woodland.
Carved out by glaciers during the last Ice Age, Glendalough or Gleann dá Loch, meaning ‘Valley of the Two Lakes’, combines unfiltered beauty with heavenly tranquillity.
*Dogs must be kept on a lead
An area associated with the copper mining industry, the valley was immortalised by Thomas Moore in the song ‘The Meeting of the Waters’. The waters in question are the Avonmore and Avonbeg rivers, which meet about 2 miles from the village of Avoca. It also marks the start of a gentle walk along the valley bottom.
*Dogs must be kept on a lead