Fresh air is good for the mind and body, and two things make it even better – a stunning waterfall along the way and the company of a furry friend.
But the challenge of a waterfall walk is that they’re often a little tricky to navigate on four paws.
Thankfully some experts have now pulled together 10 of the most dog-friendly waterfall trails in the UK, with the third place route right here in Greater Manchester.
And the majority of the top 10 are in the North West, easily accessible from Manchester.
The Malham Landscape trail in North Yorkshire has taken first place. The route is home to the Janet’s Foss waterfall, perfect for dogs to play and paddle to their heart’s content.
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The trail is 8km long and will take you around two and a half hours to complete.
In second place is Aira Force in the Lake District, which has some breathtaking views. It boasts vistas across Ullswater Lake with plenty of space for your dog to stretch their legs. This also takes two and a half hours to get round, and it’s worth the effort.
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Saddlworth Moor. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Then we come to our home turf. In third place we have Dovestone Reservoir, which is one of the many stunning walks in the Peak District. It’s located on the outskirts of Greater Manchester in Saddleworth, and is a very enjoyable day out.
On the walk you’ll be able to see spectacular views of the water and might even bump into some sheep. This walk is considered a challenging route which takes on average four hours and 30 minutes. So it’s not for the faint hearted!
Janet’s Foss waterfall along the Malham Cove trail. Credit: The Manc GroupMalham Cove. Credit: The Manc Group
Only an hour’s drive from certain points in Manchester is Malham Cove, a filming spot in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One. This hike also includes walking over unusual rock formations, so make sure you wear appropriate footwear as you don’t wanna be slipping through them. This route is dog friendly.
Another great hike which is also in the Peak District near Manchester is called ‘Lud’s Church.’ This walk consists of a chasm caused by a landslip; however, it really is beautiful, looking like something straight out of Lord of the Rings.
The top 10 most dog-friendly waterfall walks were chosen by dog gear specialists at Ruffwear, who analysed more than 200 routes.
Get your walking boots on and go hiking! There’re so many beautiful places to explore and your dogs will thank you for it too.
The top 10 dog-friendly waterfall walks
Malham Landscape Trail: Janet’s Foss, Gordale Scar, and Malham Cove, North Yorkshire – 8km
Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park Circular, Cumbria – 6.9km
Dovestone Reservoir and Chew Reservoir Circular, Greater Manchester – 13.5km
Flash and Three Shires Head Circular, Staffordshire – 6km
Ingleton Waterfalls Circular, North Yorkshire – 6.8km
Coire Gabhail (The Lost Valley), Scottish Highlands – 4km
Buttermere Circular, Cumbria – 7.4km8
Ambleside to Stockghyll Force, Cumbria – 2.3km
Rydal Water and Rydal Mount Circular, Cumbria – 4.5km
Gradbach and Lud’s Church Circular, Derbyshire – 10.3km
Featured image: The Manc Group
Travel & Tourism
Stunning Manchester hotel The Alan is offering luxury rooms for only £20.25 in the new year
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most stunning hotels is offering luxury rooms at a bargain rate to celebrate the new year.
With only a couple of days to go until 2025 is officially here, The Alan – which opened to huge success on Princess Street, in the heart of Manchester city centre, back in 2022 – says it wants to give guests the opportunity to stay at the hotel at a “massively reduced” price on selected dates throughout the new year.
This means that, in a clever nod to 2025, a selection of key dates throughout next year will be priced at just £20.25 for an overnight stay at the former warehouse.
You may remember that The Alan already attracted headlines for a similar move, as back when the hotel first opened in 2022, it was giving out rooms to guests for just £1 each.
Having launched on Boxing Day and announced across The Alan’s official social platforms, the limited-time sale is now live, and rooms are to be allocated on a first come, first served basis – with the offer only valid on a selection of room types.
A number of other discounts will also run throughout the new year too, including ‘Signature’ rooms priced at £40.25, ‘Signature Deluxe’ at £60.25, and even a Suite at ‘£80.25’.
You can stay at The Alan for just £20.25 a night in the new year / Credit: Supplied
As well as the 137 rooms set across six floors of the hotel, The Alan is also loved by guests for its facilities, especially its restaurant and bar, as well as by workers thanks to its large offering of meeting room spaces.
The hotel is also well-known for offering co-working for guests and locals too, with a set menu and unlimited coffee priced at just £20 per day.
To make the most of the £20.25 offer, you just need to book online using the code 25WINTERSALE under the ‘Group Attendee Code’ option, which will be valid on specific evenings (excluding peak dates) from New Year’s Day up until 21 March 2025.
Picturesque Greater Manchester railway granted £1.3m to restore historic viaduct
Emily Sergeant
One of Greater Manchester’s most picturesque railways has been given substantial funding to restore a historic viaduct along the line.
As part of the Government‘s wider Plan for Change, the Bury-based heritage railway, East Lancashire Railway (ELR), has been awarded more than £1.3 million in grants to carry out urgent repair work to the Higher Woodhill Viaduct – which is on the edge of Burrs Country Park, in the heart of the stunning Irwell Valley.
Repairs to the historic viaduct, which goes past the site of the former Higher Woodhill Mill, were last carried out all the way back in 1932.
But now, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has granted the funding for restoration through its ‘Community Ownership Fund’, alongside three local authorities from Bury, Rochdale, and the nearby Rossendale in Lancashire, all putting in a further £276,000 in match funding.
We’re supporting local treasures across the UK with vital funding
— Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Gov (@mhclg) December 23, 2024
Important supporters of the railway, such as members of the public and local businesses, have also added a few thousand pounds more to the project.
While inspections to the structure and safety of the viaduct are carried out on a regular basis, ELR assures, it was flagged earlier in 2024 that long-term repairs would be required to allow for the “continued level of use” of steam and heritage diesel trains along the line.
Speaking on the funding being granted, Mike Kelly, who is the Chairman of East Lancashire Railway, commented: “This is a major investment for the future and a massive vote of confidence for our dedicated volunteers and staff to help secure the railway’s infrastructure for years to come.
“Now with this fantastic news, we are able to continue running our award-winning events and services without disruption for future generations to enjoy, thanks to the generosity and support of the East Lancashire Railway Trust, our local community partners and supporters, as well as local and national politicians.”
Essential maintenance works are due to start next year in the spring.
The Manc -
3rd November 2023 
