If you’re searching for dog friendly walks, what you want is clarity: where to go, how long the walk is, whether it’ll be too muddy in winter, and whether it’s worth the journey.
This guide provides you with dog-friendly walks across the South East, covering Sussex, Surrey, and Hampshire, with a mix of woodland, countryside and coastal walks. Each walk includes distance, difficulty, and when it works best, so you can pick something that will soon become your new favourite dog friendly walk
Long dog walks in Sussex
Seahaven Coastal Trail
Distance: 10 miles / 16 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Point-to-point or out-and-back
Start: Seaford, Newhaven Town or Brighton
Best season: Year-round (great winter option)
Route: www.seahavencoastaltrail.org.uk
This is one of the most reliable and enjoyable long dog walks in Sussex. The Seahaven Coastal Trail follows the stunning south coast between Seaford and Saltdean, near Brighton.
There are a few railway stations along the route, including Seaford and Newhaven. This makes it easy to customise the length of the walk, depending on your mood and ability. If you’re looking for a particularly long dog walk, you can extend the route beyond Saltdean and finish in Brighton, then get the train back from there.
Read more: Top Brighton walks and hikes
Seven Sisters Cliff Walk
Distance: 14 miles / 22 km
Difficulty: Hard
Type: Point-to-point
Start: Seaford or Eastbourne
Best season: Spring to autumn
Route: www.sevensisters.org.uk/things-to-do/walking
If you want a bit of a challenge, this is one of the most iconic long dog walks in the UK. The route follows the beautiful South Downs Way, but beware: the repeated climbs over the chalk cliffs make it tougher than the distance suggests. It’s a great dog friendly walk, but it suits fitter dogs due to exposure, lack of shade, and elevation. On clear days, you'll have views of stunning coastline the entire way.
Read more: 3 stunning Eastbourne walks
Shoreham-by-Sea to Worthing Coastal Walk
Distance: 6.5 miles / 10.5 km
Difficulty: Easy
Type: Out-and-back
Start: Shoreham-by-Sea or Worthing
Best season: Year-round (ideal winter walk)
Route: www.southdowns.gov.uk/walks/a-walk-from-shoreham-by-sea
A straightforward, flat coastal route that’s easy to follow and works well when you want distance without effort. The promenade runs continuously between the two towns, with cafés and facilities (like toilets) along the way.
This is a strong option for dog friendly beaches winter walks, especially when inland routes are muddy.
Woodland dog walks in Sussex
Patching to Angmering Park Estate Circular (near Worthing)
Distance: 4.2 miles / 6.8 km
Difficulty: Easy
Type: Circular
Start: Angmering
Best season: Spring to autumn
Route: discoversussex.org/walks/medium-walks/patching
This is a classic woodland dog walk that combines forest sections with open farmland. The route moves between tree cover and open views, which helps break up the walk. Expect mud after rain, especially in woodland sections, but that’s part of the appeal if you’re specifically looking for forest dog walks or woodland dog walks.
Read more: Bluebell walks in Sussex
Blackcap & Ashcombe Bottom Circular (near Brighton)
Distance: 6.2 miles / 10 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Circular
Best season: Spring to autumn
This route blends woodland dog walks with open South Downs terrain. You get sections through trees before climbing onto exposed hills with beautiful views. Paths can get muddy and uneven in wet conditions, so it’s better suited to drier months.
Shoreham-by-Sea & Downs Link Circular
Distance: 7.5 miles / 12 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Circular
Start: Shoreham-by-Sea
Best season: Year-round
A really well-balanced route for dog friendly forest walks, combining riverside paths, woodland stretches and a climb into the South Downs.
Dogs are welcome but should be on leads in places. The mix of flat river sections and hillier terrain keeps it varied without being overwhelming.
Read more: A guided walk around East Grinstead
Woodland dog walks in Surrey
Box Hill Stepping Stones Circular
Distance: 3 miles / 5 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Circular
Start: Box Hill & Westhumble
Best season: Year-round (watch for slippery paths in winter)
Route: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/box-hill/box-hill-stepping-stones-walk
If you’re searching for dog friendly woodland walks that are easy to access by train, this is one of the best options. The route starts right from Box Hill & Westhumble station, climbs through woodland to the hilltop, then drops down to the River Mole and the iconic stepping stones.
You get a great mix of terrain in a relatively short distance, from shaded forest paths to open viewpoints and riverside sections all within a couple of hours. It’s dog-friendly, though leads are recommended around livestock. Expect a steep section with steps on the descent, which can get slippery after rain.
Box Hill Full Circular
Distance: 8 miles / 13 km
Difficulty: Hard
Type: Circular
Start: Box Hill & Westhumble
Best season: Spring to autumn
Route: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/box-hill/the-box-hill-hike
This is one of the best long dog walks in Surrey if you want a full day out. The route loops across the wider Box Hill estate, combining dense woodland, valleys and open viewpoints.
It’s pretty challenging, with steep climbs, descents and uneven terrain throughout, so it suits more active dogs. The reward is that you’re constantly moving between forest sections and open ridgelines, which keeps it engaging from start to finish.
Leith Hill Woodland Circular (near Dorking)
Distance: 2.5 miles / 4 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Circular
Start: Dorking
Best season: Year-round
Route: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/leith-hill/leith-hill-woodland-walk
Leith Hill gives a slightly different woodland experience compared to Box Hill. The forest is denser, the paths feel quieter, and the gradual climb builds to one of the highest points in southeast England. It’s a strong option for dog friendly forest walks if you want something less busy but still easily accessible
Easy nature dog walks in Sussex
Ferring Rife Walk (Worthing)
Distance: 1.5 miles / 2-3 km
Difficulty: Easy
Type: Circular
Start: Goring-by-Sea
Best season: Year-round
Route: www.angmeringwalks.com/ferring-rife
If you’re after nature dog walks that don’t require a full day, this is a simple, flat riverside route with plenty of wildlife. It’s accessible, low effort and works well for older dogs or shorter outings.
Shoreham Adur Valley Walk
Distance: 4-5 miles / 6-7 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Linear or circular variations
Start: Shoreham-by-Sea
Best season: Spring to autumn
This walk follows the River Adur before heading into chalk grassland and nature reserve areas. It’s quieter than coastal routes but still easily accessible from the station. The terrain is mostly flat with gentle inclines, making it a good moderate option if you’re looking for nature dog walks.
Dog-friendly coastal walks (winter-friendly picks)
Worthing to Lancing Seafront
Distance: 2.3 miles / 3.8 km (each way)
Difficulty: Easy
Type: Out-and-back
Best season: Year-round
Route: www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/england-coast-path/
This shorter coastal option still gives you sea views and open space, following the King Charles III England Coast Path from Worthing to Lancing. The wide promenade makes it accessible and easy to follow, with options to extend towards Shoreham-by-sea if you want more distance.
Weston Shore and Nature Loop (Southampton)
Distance: 4.5 miles / 7.3 km
Difficulty: Easy
Type: Circular
Station: Southampton
Best season: Year-round
Route: walks.gojauntly.com/walks/weston-shore-and-nature-loop-5451194216313131501
This is a great forest dog walk in Hampshire. Take in lush nature reserves, gorgeous greenways, and stunning coastal views on this beautiful circular route. The route is mostly flat, with stretches along beach with coastal views and beach cafes.
Read more: Winter walks inspiration
Taking your dog on the train
You can bring up to two dogs on the train with you. Be sure to read our full guidance on taking your dog on the train before you travel, including tips for keeping you, your dog, and other passengers safe and comfortable.
Choosing the right dog-friendly walk
When narrowing down dog friendly woodland walks near London or coastal routes, it helps to match the walk to the conditions:
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Winter dog walks: Coastal paths are less muddy and more accessible in winter than woodland dog walks.
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Summer walks: Woodland routes offer shade, whereas coastal routes can be quite exposed.
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Long dog walks: Look for point-to-point routes with train stations at both ends so that you can make the most of open jaw journeys.
The Southern Railway network gives you access to a huge mix of dog friendly walks, from woodland dog walks to coastal trails and longer countryside routes.
Once you’ve tried a couple of these dog friendly walks, it becomes much easier to rotate between forest dog walks, nature walks and longer hikes without repeating the same route every weekend.
