Best dog walk in York (River Ouse/Clifton Ings), North Yorkshire
YO30 6LU
Description
The river walk near Clifton Bridge is a great dog walk for dogs, as there are plenty of open spaces for frolicking, small beach areas for swimming, and plenty of other dogs to meet. Parking is available in the small parking lot off Government House Road, but if it's full, you can park on Government House Road, all of which is for free. There is a sign that says Government House Road is private, but it's an adopted road, and therefore, has public access. The sign is old, so don't let that put you off. If you are a dog owner and live in York, or if you are visiting York with dogs, and you need to satisfy your dog's craving for stimulation and exercise, then this is the best place to achieve that.
Details
GPS coords for parking: 53.9680, -1.1024 If you decide to walk to the Ings during the summer months, you might be faced with cattle on one of the fields. Don't let this put you off, there are plenty of alternative paths to avoid the cattle, and it's very rare they are on the main field people like to walk. You might find them more on the second field where the bike path leads towards Rawcliffe. The cattle does not put the locals off, but if your dog is a chaser, best to put him/her on the lead.
Full Walk Details
At the bottom of the small parking lot off Government House Road, you can see the path that runs along the River Ouse. You have two options: go left for a suburban walk with York city views, large fields, and a small beach, OR you can take a right and walk towards the more wild open fields of the Ings.
If you take a left, and walk towards the city following the scenic river, eventually a fairly large field will appear, which is available for running and playing off lead. Usually there are other dogs here playing, too. If you carry on a little further towards the city, you can cross Scarborough Bridge, and then take a right, and walk away from the city. Here your dog(s) can enjoy expansive fields to run and meet other dogs. If you carry on and walk under Clifton Bridge, you will see paths leading to a small beach great for dogs who like water. This is a great place for swimming or just sitting in water to cool off on warm days. Cross back over Clifton Bridge to get back to your car on Government House Road.
If you decide to take a the second walk, which is a right at the bottom of the parking lot and go away from York, you will, in the matter of minutes, arrive at the Ings (dyke wall surrounding fields). This is a great place, but wellies are usually needed. If you walk the Ings dyke wall, eventually you will walk until you need to pass a gate. Here is a great place to go down to the bank for your dog(s) to enjoy the river "beach" and swim or play. There is a bike path if you can follow back to make a loop, or you can walk back on the Ings, and return to your car on Government House Road.
Both walks can take up to an hour to walk, but you can make them longer or shorter depending on your needs. There are poo bins every so often, and lots of friendly dog people. Remember to watch your dog on the paths that are also shared with cyclists.
When you walk past the small parking lot down to the river, you can take a left and walk towards the city of York, or you can take a right and walk towards the open fields of the Ings.
If you take a left, and walk towards the city following the scenic river, eventually a fairly large field will appear, which is available for running and playing off lead. Usually there are other dogs here playing, too. If you carry on a little further towards the city, you can cross Scarborough Bridge, and then take a right, and walk away from the city. Here your dog(s) can enjoy expansive fields to run and meet other dogs. If you carry on and walk under Clifton Bridge, you will see paths leading to a small beach great for dogs who like water. This is a great place for swimming or just sitting in water to cool off on warm days. Cross back over Clifton Bridge to get back to your car on Government House Road.
If decide to take a the second walk, which is a right at the bottom of the parking lot and go away from York, you will, in the matter of minutes, arrive at the Ings (dyke walls surrounding fields). This is a great place, but wellies are usually needed. If you walk the Ings dyke wall, eventually you will walk until you need to pass a gate. Here is a great place to go down to the bank for your dog(s) to enjoy the river "beach" and swim or play. There is a bike path if you can follow back to make a loop, or you can walk back on the Ings, and return to your car on Government House Road.
Both walks can take up to an hour to walk, but you can make them longer or shorter depending on your needs. There are poo bins every so often, and lots of friendly dog people. Remember to watch your dog on the paths that are also shared with cyclists.