Best places to walk your dog in Skipton

Great Places to Walk Your Dog Near Skipton

Skipton isn’t just the Gateway to the Dales — it’s also packed with brilliant dog walking routes that offer something for every breed, from high-energy working dogs to calm family companions. Whether you’re looking to practise recall, burn off energy, or enjoy a peaceful stroll, this area has you covered.

As a professional dog trainer working across Skipton, Ilkley, Keighley, and the wider North and West Yorkshire region, I often recommend these local routes to clients looking to mix training with a good walk.

Here are some of my top dog-friendly walks near Skipton:

🏞 1. Skipton Woods

Right in the heart of the town, Skipton Woods offers shaded trails, gentle hills, and plenty of natural distractions to work on focus and lead manners. It’s a great spot for dogs who enjoy a bit of adventure without going too far afield.

Trainer Tip: Use the wooded trails to practise heel work and lead walking around tight bends and changes in terrain.

🐕 2. Aireville Park

If you're working on recall or basic obedience, Aireville Park is perfect. There’s open space for games and training, but also quieter corners if your dog needs a calm environment to learn. It's also ideal for early morning socialisation sessions.

🥾 3. Leeds and Liverpool Canal Towpath

This flat, scenic walk runs right through Skipton and beyond. It's perfect for lead walking training, exposure to cyclists, joggers, and other dogs. Great for building real-world confidence in reactive or nervous dogs.

Note: Stay alert near water and consider using a long line if you're not yet confident with your dog’s recall.

⛰ 4. Embsay Reservoir

Just a short drive from Skipton, Embsay offers a peaceful loop with views of the water and the hills. It’s a quieter alternative to the more tourist-heavy spots and great for practising calm behaviour and recall in open space.

🌄 5. Gargrave & the River Aire

This lesser-known gem near Skipton gives you riverside paths, quiet fields, and a lovely village atmosphere. Perfect for weekend walks or a training session with fewer distractions than the town centre.

🐶 Final Thoughts from Jack

Every walk is a chance to reinforce good habits, improve your dog’s focus, and build your relationship. Whether you’ve got a German Shepherd that needs structured off-lead work or a puppy learning the basics, these Skipton spots are ideal training grounds.

If you’re in Skipton or the surrounding areas, I’d love to help with your dog’s training — from lead walking and recall to behaviour issues and reactivity.

I’m Jack — your local dog trainer at Northern K9 Company. Let’s get you and your dog training with purpose in the real world.

Get in touch With Jack

Let me know how me and the team can help with your dog's training and I will personally respond with an email, text message or I will arrange a phone call. Even if you just need some simple advice I'm happy to help.

why should you Get in touch?

Hi, i'm jack, I treat every dog I train like my own. I seriously do, I love all dogs regardless of their breed or history. Every training session is a lesson learnt for both me and your dog, I try make every session as fun as possible, Although I believe in pack leadership I don't believe in showing dogs "who is boss" I believe in showing dogs that I am pretty cool to hang around with, and feeling safe in my presence which is why I also try to make every session an adventure for us both. One of my favourite things about this job is seeing how exited dogs get when they see me. Dogs really are Angels sent from heaven.