There's no better time to walk with your dog than autumn. The heat of summer has gone, the paths are quieter, the bracken turns copper and there's a real reward waiting at the end of the day: a warm pub, a roaring fire and a well-earned rest.
Devon and Somerset are some of the best places in the country to do it. Between the wild coastline of Exmoor and the open tors of Dartmoor, you'll find hundreds of miles of trails, plenty of dog-friendly pubs, and big skies for your dog to explore. Here are our favourite autumn walks, the pubs that welcome muddy paws, and how to turn a day out into a full walking holiday.
Why autumn is the best season for walking with your dog
- Cooler temperatures. Much more comfortable for dogs, especially thick-coated and older dogs, who can struggle in summer heat.
- Quieter trails and car parks. The summer crowds have gone home.
- More beaches open to dogs. Several beaches that ban dogs in summer welcome them again from October, including Minehead.
- More freedom on Dartmoor. The ground-nesting bird season (1 March to 31 July) is over, so the strict short-lead rule on Dartmoor's open access land no longer applies. Your dog still needs to be under close control, and on a lead near livestock.
- Pub fires are lit. Enough said.
Exmoor and the Somerset coast
Exmoor is where moorland crashes into the sea. It's home to some of the most dramatic coastal walking in England, and it's where the South West Coast Path begins, in Minehead.
Minehead beach and the start of the South West Coast Path
Dogs are allowed on Minehead beach from October to April, which makes autumn the perfect time for a run on the sand before heading west along the coast path towards Exmoor. Even a short stretch gives you big views out over the Bristol Channel.
Porlock Weir to Bossington
A gentle, flat walk along the shingle of Porlock Bay, which is dog-friendly all year round. Start at the tiny harbour of Porlock Weir and follow the bay around towards Bossington. Afterwards, The Ship Inn at Porlock Weir (known locally as the "Bottom Ship") is a cosy, dog-friendly spot right by the harbour. Up in Porlock village, The Ship Inn (the "Top Ship") welcomes dogs too.
Dunster
The medieval village of Dunster, with its castle and woodland trails, is beautiful in autumn colour. Finish at The Luttrell Arms or The Stags Head, both dog-friendly.
Deep into Exmoor
For moorland and river walks, head inland to Exford (The Crown and The White Horse) or Simonsbath (The Exmoor Forest Inn). Near the Devon border, The Blue Ball Inn at Countisbury sits above the coast near Lynmouth, with incredible walking on the doorstep.
Dartmoor
Dartmoor is big, wild and open, with granite tors, ancient stone rows, wooded river valleys and ponies grazing on the moor. It's a dog's paradise, and with fewer visitors in autumn, it feels even wilder.
Haytor
One of Dartmoor's most famous tors, and an easy climb with a big reward: views across to the coast on a clear day. Warm up afterwards at The Rock Inn in Haytor Vale, around a mile away.
Hookney Tor and Grimspound
A roughly 4.5-mile loop taking in Grimspound, a Bronze Age settlement set in a bowl of moorland. Finish at The Warren House Inn near Postbridge, one of the highest and most remote pubs in England, where the fire is famously kept burning. A proper reward after a day on the moor.
Widecombe in the Moor
A lovely 3.8-mile loop past rivers and open fields from the picture-postcard village of Widecombe, followed by lunch at The Old Inn.
Chagford: Hunter's Tor and Fingle Bridge
About 5 miles through the Teign Valley, one of the most beautiful spots on Dartmoor in autumn, when the woods turn gold. The Globe Inn in Chagford is a dog-friendly place to finish.
Lydford
The Widgery Cross loop gives your dog the chance for a paddle in the River Lyd, with The Dartmoor Inn waiting at the end.
Pub opening hours and dog policies can change, so it's always worth a quick call ahead, especially midweek and out of season.
Turn it into a walking holiday
If a single day isn't enough, why not walk for a week? We have teamed up with Encounter Walking Holidays who are walking holiday experts and offer excellent dog-friendly walking holidays with everything planned for you, from dog-friendly accommodation to luggage transfers, so all you have to do is walk.
Minehead to Westward Ho!
Up to 7 days along the start of the South West Coast Path, through the edge of Exmoor National Park. It's about 87 miles in total, averaging around 11 miles a day, with sea views almost all the way.
The Dartmoor Way
A circular route through the best of Dartmoor National Park, covering 108 to 130 miles of ancient lanes, moorland and river valleys at around 10 miles a day.
Explore our dog-friendly walking holidays →
Just want somewhere to stay? Browse our map of dog-friendly stays.
Our autumn safety tips for walking with your dog
- Livestock: Sheep, cattle and ponies roam freely on Exmoor and Dartmoor. Keep your dog on a lead around them, and if cattle become too interested, let your dog off the lead so you can both get to safety separately.
- Conkers and acorns: Both can make dogs ill if eaten, and autumn is when they fall. Keep an eye on scavengers!
- Mushrooms: Wild fungi pop up everywhere in autumn and some are toxic to dogs. Don't let your dog snack on them.
- Shorter days: Plan your route to finish well before dark, and consider a light-up collar or hi-vis for your dog.
- Tides on the coast: Check tide times before walking on beaches or around headlands.
- Pack for a cold stop: A wet, tired dog cools down quickly when you stop, whether at a pub, a picnic or back in the car.
The perfect end to every walk
After miles on the moor, the best bit is sitting down by the fire. But cold stone floors and draughty doorways don't make it easy for your dog to settle.
That's why we created Nestbedz: lightweight, packable travel dog beds that fold into their own bag, clip onto your rucksack and roll out wherever you stop. Your dog gets a warm, familiar bed in the pub, the café, the holiday cottage or the tent, and you get to enjoy your pint in peace.
- Packs down to just 450g (medium)
- Warm, cosy and water resistant, made with technical outdoor fabrics
- Machine washable at 30° for when the walk gets muddy
NEW: Limited edition Green & Grey
Our new racing green and grey Nestbedz was made for autumn: understated enough for the smartest pub, tough enough for a wild camp pitch. It's a limited run, so pre-order now to reserve yours from the next batch, with free postage on all pre-orders until 16th October. Delivery is estimated by 30th October, just in time for the best of the season.
Reserve your Green & Grey Nestbedz →
Shop all travel dog beds →
Not sure which size? Read our size guide
Happy walking,
Em & Zulu 🐾