Top Staffordshire Dog Walks 1

With the help of our friends on Twitter and Instagram, we've put together five dog-walks for you to try, which combine stunning views with fun activities and routes for everyone, regardless of ability.

Let us know on social media if we've missed out your favourite!

Cannock Chase

The smallest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Mainland Britain, Cannock Chase is popular with dog-walkers like @Alocinrewog and @JoeyeggJohnston.

It's accessible for all and has several marked routes to explore.

For a short walk, try the Lady Hill Trail, where the Dog Activity Challenge tests your pooch's fetching, weaving and jumping abilities.

Or for something longer, there is the Fairoak Trail, which has a pool for dogs to swim in on a warm day.

There are several free car parks including Seven Springs at the northern edge (satnav postcode ST17 0XZ).

Park Hall Country Park

There are 12 walks to try, on four different routes, at the 160-acre Park Hall Country Park in Stoke-on-Trent.

They range from 0.25 to 3.2 miles, with varying levels of difficulty, taking in wetlands, woodland, and the hills of this reclaimed quarry.

There are three free car parks, which can be reached from Hulme Road and Weston Road (nearest postcode ST3 5BQ).

Thanks to @Noot54 @Jackie_Woolley & @EmdudsCo for giving Park Hall a shout-out!

South Staffordshire

As a very rural part of the county, South Staffordshire has a number of great dog walks to try.

One of the most popular is the South Staffordshire Railway Walk, which is a 5.5mile footpath along the former Wombourne Branch Line.

The all-weather surface makes it a good walk at all times of year and it's accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs too.

Free car parks are located at the old Wombourne Station (WV5 9AE), which is still in use as a tea-room.

Barlaston Downs

Also known as Downs Banks, this 160 acre National Trust maintained space near Stone has good paths, easy to find quieter spots, and streams for a swim or a paddle.

There are off-lead areas too, and a great two-mile route which, after a steady climb, ends at Millennium Monument and offers panoramic views of the Staffordshire countryside.

There's a small free car park at the southern end (nearest postcode ST15 8UU).

Thanks to @flipoutstoke and @rocktailassociates for giving Downs Banks a shout-out on Twitter!

Dimmings Dale

This wonderful woodland walk near Alton in the Churnet Valley, maintained by the Forestry Commission, is a haven for dog walkers.

Park for free at the Ramblers Retreat (ST10 4BU), a dog-friendly restaurant with a fountain and water bowls for thirsty pooches, and huts to sit in on rainy days.

There's also an outside serving hatch so it doesn't matter if you're a bit muddy!

Dimmings Dale is a favourite with dog walkers like Ed Byrne (@ejbyrne1 on Twitter), because there are various routes to explore and great views of the Staffordshire Peak District.

Thanks to @wonderlandgirl1989 @The_PrettyPointers and @CoasterMadMatt for sharing their images with us.

Share your top dog walks

If you have a great pic of you and your dog enjoying a walk in Staffordshire, please share it with us on Instagram.

We'd love to see them and we're always happy to share!