Cardiff is known for its picturesque landscapes and beautiful parks. But what makes Cardiff even more remarkable is its exciting dog walks. If you are a dog owner, you know there’s nothing more fun than taking your furry friend for a walk in the fresh air. Don’t do the same route or trail every day; check out the best dog walks in Cardiff.
Dog Walks in Cardiff
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Table of Contents
Dog Walks in Cardiff City Centre
Bute Park
One of the most popular dog walks in Cardiff is Bute Park. This 130-acre park is in the heart of the city and is perfect for a leisurely stroll with your pup. The park, behind Cardiff Castle, features stunning gardens, a river, and plenty of open green spaces where you can run around and play.
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1-2 hours
Opening Hours: From 7.30am until 30 minutes before sunset
Parking: North Road – Sat Nav: CF10 3DX, Sophia Gardens – Sat Nav: CF11 9LJ or Castel Mews – Sat Nav: CF10 3ER. Pay and display car parking.
Taff Trail
The Taff Trail runs between Brecon and Cardiff for 55 miles (88.5 km). In Cardiff, the Taff Trail starts in Cardiff Bay and follows the River Taff to Tongwynlais. The route is about 16.5 miles (26.5 km) and would take about 3 hours to walk. There are plenty of places to stop, enjoy off lead areas, have a drink or admire the surroundings.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Time: 1-6 hours
Opening Hours: 24 hours a day
Dog Walking Routes in Cardiff
Insole Court
The gardens at Insole Court in Llandaff are a peaceful, quiet walk. The Grade II listed stately home has gorgeous gardens and well-maintained walking trails. Visit The Potting Shed Cafe for a drink or something off the menu. There are also dog treats and ice cream. As it’s a short walk, you could also visit the nearby Llandaff Cathedral, Pontcanna Fields and Hailey Park.
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 30 minutes
Opening Hours: From 7.30am until 30 minutes before sunset
Parking: Small free car park. However, Insole Court is a charity, and donations are accepted and appreciated. Sat Nav: CF5 2LN.
Forest Farm Nature Reserve
Forest Farm Country Park in Whitchurch is full of surprises. The reserve was formed in 1967 and includes the last remaining sections of the former Glamorganshire Canal. The walk follows alongside this. The Taff Trail also runs through a division of Forest Farm. There is also woodland, bird hides, ponds and marshland to discover.
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1-2 hours
Opening Hours: 24 hours a day
Parking: Free parking on Longwood Drive, Sat Nav: CF14 7ZB or Forest Farm Road, Sat Nav: CF14 7JH.
Caedelyn Park
The park can be accessed from Whitchurch or Rhiwbina Village. With football and rugby fields and a children’s play park, Caedelyn is a wonderful place to walk your dog. When there are no matches or practice, the huge field can be used for off-lead fun, or there is a dog walking route around the outside.
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Opening Hours: 24 hours a day
Parking: Small car park accessible from the A470. On-street parking in Rhiwbina.
Heath Park
The park is bigger than you think. Heath Park is 91 acres with sports and playing facilities for all ages. Walkers can explore the woodland areas, ponds, and wetlands full of wildlife. There’s even a sensory garden accessible from the hospital, a miniature model railway, a 9-hole pitch and putt golf course, plus footgolf and foot rugby.
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1-2 hours
Opening Hours: From 7.30am until 30 minutes before sunset
Parking: Pay and display car park, free parking for 2 hours for park users. Sat Nav: CF14 4WZ
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Victoria Park
One of Cardiff’s best-loved traditional parks is Victoria Park. Found in Canton, the footpaths have flower borders. Dogs can explore the bandstand, cast iron canopy and even the bronze sculpture of Billy the Seal – one of Cardiff’s most famous residents. There is a large children’s playground and splash pad, so the walk is not ideal for dogs nervous about mini-humans.
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 hour
Opening Hours: From 7.30am until 30 minutes before sunset
Parking: On-street parking. Sat Nav: CF5 1EH
St Fagans National History Museum
Dogs are more than welcome at St Fagans. It’s based on over 100 acres of land and offers an opportunity to experience life in Wales throughout the ages. Dogs must be kept on the lead at all times and aren’t allowed in the historic buildings. So, if you do want to look inside, you’ll need someone to hold the lead for you.
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1-2 hours
Opening Hours: Open 10am-5pm daily.
Parking: Entrance into the site is free, but parking costs £5 regardless of how long you spend there. Sat Nav: CF5 6XB
Thompsons Park
One of Cardiff’s oldest parks, Thompsons Park in Canton, was laid out as a private garden initially. The attractive park has benefitted from being enlarged and landscaped in 1895. On the peaceful dog walk, you will see the famous water fountain and ornamental gardens.
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 30 minutes
Opening Hours: From 7.30am until 30 minutes before sunset
Parking: Free on-street parking. Sat Nav: CF5 1GH
Dyffryn Gardens
Explore the beauty of Dyffryn House and Gardens! Whether it’s meandering through the stunning gardens or admiring the Victorian architecture, this is a place you won’t want to miss! Dogs are more than welcome to explore all 55 acres of the gardens. There were water bowls outside the café and shop. There are even poo bags and complimentary dog biscuits in the welcome centre.
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 hour
Opening Hours: The gardens are open between 10am-6pm daily. 4pm in the winter months.
Parking: There is free parking. Dyffryn Gardens entry fee is £11 per adult, £5.50 per child and £27.50 for a family. National Trust members are free.
Circular Dog Walks in Cardiff
Hendre Lake
A favourite site for birdwatching and fishing, Hendre Lake Park is in St Mellons. The circular walk around the lake is ideal for a quick stroll. Of course, you can do a couple of laps to tire out those paws.
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 30 minutes
Opening Hours: 24 hours a day
Parking: Small free car park and on-street parking. Sat Nav: CF3 0RH
Roath Park
Another excellent spot for a dog walk is Roath Park. This park has a beautiful lake that is perfect for a relaxing walk with your dog. There are also plenty of open spaces where your dog can run around and play fetch. There is plenty of thriving wildlife, including ducks, geese and swans – that don’t mind getting too close for comfort.
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 hour
Opening Hours: From 7.30am until 30 minutes before sunset
Parking: On-street free parking. Lake Road West – Sat Nav: CF23 5PN or Lake Road East – Sat Nav: CF23 5NQ
Cefn Onn
Parc Cefn Onn is one of the lesser-known walks in Cardiff. The historic park in Lisvane was a private garden, so it is a peaceful place to wander. You’ll feel a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Here, you’ll discover streams, ponds, woodlands and many paths leading to other trails. It’s a short walk, so you may want to walk twice around the gardens.
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 hour
Opening Hours: From 7.30am until 30 minutes before sunset
Parking: Small free car park. Sav Nav: CF14 0FL.
Llanishen Reservoir Dog Walk
Since reopening, Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs no longer accept dogs because of biodiversity.
Fforest Fawr
The awe-inspiring woodland is behind Castell Coch in Tongwynlais. There are three walking trails at Fforest Fawr, including a sculpture trail for families, which follows the story of a sleeping giant who lives in the woods. The carved wooden woodland creatures are perfect for your pooch to pose on. The land used to be an iron mine, so you’ll notice mounds, hollows and caves.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Time: 1-2 hours
Opening Hours: 24 hours a day
Parking: Small free car park. Sat Nav: CF83 1NG
Cardiff Bay Barrage
The 10km circular trail around Cardiff Bay takes you through the Cardiff Bay Wetlands and across the Cardiff Bay Barrage. The manmade walkway has stunning water views in every direction, perfect for enjoying the wind in your hair. Your dog will love the fresh sea air and the sights and smells of the bustling bay.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Time: 1-3 hours
Opening Hours: 24 hours a day
Parking: Pay and display car parks can be found in Mermaid Quay, Havannah Street, the Red Dragon Centre or the Penarth side of the barrage. There’s free parking by the Norwegian Church after 6pm.
Cosmeston Lakes
Cosmeston Lakes, on the outskirts of Cardiff in Penarth, is a beautiful nature reserve that your dog will be itching to explore. There are two lakes to walk around, plus wetlands and woodlands. When walking, you’ll see ducks, swans and other birds swimming in the water. There’s even an off-lead enclosed field. It’s fair to say you’ll love it here!
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1-2 hours
Opening Hours: Dawn until dusk
Parking: £1 for up to 2 hours, £2 for up to 4 hours and £4 for all day. Sat Nav: CF64 5UY
Hill Walks in Cardiff
Garth Hill Walk
If you are looking for something a little more adventurous, then head to Garth Mountain. This is a great spot for a challenging hike with your dog. The views from the top are breathtaking, and your furry friend will love the thrill of the climb. The walk has beautiful wildlife, livestock in the fields and incredible scenery. Start the walk from Pentyrch or Gwaelod y Garth.
Difficulty: Challenging
Time: 2-3 hours
Opening Hours: 24 hours a day
Parking: On-street free parking
BookBeat – Soundtrack Your Dog Walks
If you love turning a simple dog walk into a mini adventure, BookBeat is the perfect companion. This audiobook app gives you access to over a million stories – from gripping thrillers to feel-good novels – all ready to stream straight to your phone.
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Caerphilly Mountain
The Caerphilly Mountain walk is a dog walker’s paradise. It’s easy to have a short walk and incorporate a little incline in just 10 minutes. However, a longer walk around the mountain takes an hour to make the trip more worthwhile and stretch out those limbs and paws. Once at the top, there is a 360-degree gorgeous view.
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 1 hour
Opening Hours: 24 hours a day
Parking: Free parking. Sat Nav: CF83 1JA.Fin
Caerau Hillfort
The large Iron Age site and the old parish church of St Mary’s date back to the 13th Century. Caerau Hillfort in Pontyclun near Cardiff has become a popular hilly dog walk. The site was excavated in 2012, finding flint tools and weapons dating back to 3600 BC. The walk passes through woodland, kissing gates and a disused railway bridge.
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Time: 2-3 hours
Opening Hours: 24 hours a day
Parking: On-street parking on Rhiwsaeson Road, just before the terraced houses. Sat Nav: CF72 8NX
Cardiff’s Dog Friendly Walks
Cardiff in South Wales has plenty of exciting dog walks to offer. Whether you want a leisurely stroll or a challenging hike, there is something for every dog and every dog owner. So, grab your furry friend and explore the beautiful city of Cardiff on foot.
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