A walking holiday with your dog is one of the best trips you can take together: days on the trail, new smells around every corner, and a cosy pub or cottage at the end of each day. But packing for two (or more!) can feel like a puzzle, especially when you're carrying everything on your back.
We've put together our complete checklist to take the guesswork out of it. We've split it into what to carry in your daypack and what can go in your main bag, because on a walking holiday with luggage transfers, your main bag travels ahead to your next stop while you walk.
Tip: bookmark this page, or screenshot the checklists, so you can tick things off as you pack.
Before you go
- Check your dog's fitness. Walking 10 miles or more day after day is very different from a single long walk. Build up gradually in the weeks before, and speak to your vet if your dog is older, young or has any joint problems.
- Check paws and nails. Trim nails and check pads, so you're not dealing with a problem on day two.
- Update microchip details with your current mobile number. In the UK, your dog must also wear a collar and tag with your name and address when out in public. Add your mobile number too.
- Flea, tick and worming treatment should be up to date. Ticks are common on moorland and in long grass, especially in bracken.
- Plan your route and your stops. Know where the dog-friendly pubs, water points and livestock fields are along the way.
Your daypack checklist (carry it with you every day)
This is what you'll need on the trail between breakfast and dinner. Keep it light, because you'll be carrying it all day.
For your dog
- ☐ Lead, plus a spare short lead for livestock fields and busy villages
- ☐ Collar with ID tag. Our waterproof Adventure Collar won't soak up water or smell after a paddle.
- ☐ Harness, if your dog wears one for longer walks or has to be lifted over stiles
- ☐ Water and a collapsible bowl. Don't rely on streams: moorland water isn't always safe and water points can be few and far between.
- ☐ Snacks and a packed lunch. Active dogs burn much more energy on a multi-day walk.
- ☐ Poo bags, more than you think, and an odour-proof pouch for when there's no bin for miles
- ☐ A packable travel bed for pub lunches and café stops. A Nestbedz packs into its own bag and clips onto your rucksack.
- ☐ Light-up collar or hi-vis in autumn and winter, when the light fades early
- ☐ GPS tracker, if you have one. We love the Tractive; read why here.
For you
- ☐ Waterproof jacket, and waterproof trousers if rain is forecast
- ☐ Warm layer and hat (it's always colder on the tops)
- ☐ Map, compass and a phone with the route downloaded offline, as signal is patchy on the moors
- ☐ Portable phone charger
- ☐ Water, lunch and snacks
- ☐ Sun cream and sunglasses, even in autumn
- ☐ Head torch
- ☐ Cash for pubs and honesty boxes
Mini first aid kit (for both of you)
- ☐ Tick remover, which is essential on moorland
- ☐ Self-adhesive bandage (the kind that sticks to itself, not to fur)
- ☐ Non-stick dressings and tape
- ☐ Antiseptic wipes or saline for cleaning cuts
- ☐ Tweezers for thorns and splinters
- ☐ A dog boot or sock to protect a cut paw until you can get it seen
- ☐ Blister plasters for you!
- ☐ Your vet's number, and the number of a vet near your route
Your main bag checklist (it travels ahead with your luggage)
This is everything for the evenings and overnight stays. On our Trail Escapes walking holidays, your luggage is transferred to your next stop, so this bag will be waiting for you.
For your dog
- ☐ Enough food for the whole trip, plus a couple of days extra. Sudden changes in diet on holiday can upset tummies, and your usual brand may not be available locally.
- ☐ A familiar bed. A new room every night can be unsettling for some dogs. Having their own bed, which smells of home, helps them settle quickly and sleep well, so they're ready for the next day's walk.
- ☐ Two towels, one for drying off and one to protect your room from muddy paws
- ☐ A drying coat, if your dog has one. It's brilliant after rainy days or a dip in the sea.
- ☐ Any medication, plus a copy of vaccination records
- ☐ Brush, for removing burrs, grass seeds and mud, and for checking for ticks
- ☐ A favourite toy or chew, for downtime in the evenings
- ☐ Travel water bowl and food bowl
- ☐ Spare lead and collar, in case one goes missing or breaks
For you
- ☐ Dry clothes and shoes for the evening
- ☐ Spare walking socks (one pair per day is a luxury worth having)
- ☐ Toiletries and any medication
- ☐ Booking confirmations and your route notes
- ☐ A plastic bag for wet and muddy kit
Why a travel bed is the thing you'll be most glad you packed
On a walking holiday, your dog is somewhere new every day: a new trail, a new pub, a new room. Cold stone pub floors, draughty doorways and unfamiliar bedrooms make it hard for even the most chilled-out dog to rest. And a dog who doesn't rest properly is a tired dog on day three.
That's exactly why we designed Nestbedz:
- Light enough to carry all day. A medium bed weighs just 450g and packs down smaller than a rugby ball.
- Clips to your rucksack in its own attached stuff bag, ready for the pub at lunchtime.
- Warm and cosy, so your dog stays off cold floors.
- Water resistant and tough, made with the same technical fabrics as outdoor gear.
- Machine washable at 30°, so a muddy week on the trail is no problem.
- A familiar bed every night, which helps your dog settle wherever you stay.
Choose the bed alone, or the limited edition Adventure Pack, which pairs a Nestbedz with our waterproof Adventure Collar: everything your dog needs for the trail in one go.
Adventure Pack: Medium →
Adventure Pack: Large →
NEW: Limited edition Green & Grey
Our new racing green and grey Nestbedz is available to pre-order now from our next batch, with free postage on all pre-orders until 16th October. Delivery is estimated by 30th October, in time for your autumn adventures.
Reserve your Green & Grey Nestbedz →
Shop all travel dog beds →
Not sure which size? Read our size guide
Ready to go?
Now you know what to pack, all you need is somewhere to walk. Our Trail Escapes are dog-friendly walking holidays with everything planned for you, from dog-friendly accommodation to luggage transfers:
- Minehead to Westward Ho!: up to 7 days along the start of the South West Coast Path and the edge of Exmoor
- The Dartmoor Way: a circular route through the best of Dartmoor National Park
Looking for inspiration first? Read our guide to dog-friendly autumn walks in Devon & Somerset, or browse our map of dog-friendly stays.
Happy walking,
Em & Zulu 🐾