Dog-friendly Woodale

Woodale is three or four farms at the head of Coverdale, and the honest walk from the door goes down the dale rather than up onto the moor, where the only route out is the long crossing to Nidderdale. Follow the single-track Coverdale road north-east past Arkleside to Horsehouse, then drop onto the field path that runs back along the south side of the River Cover through walled hay meadows to Arkleside, and finish on the road. Be clear that most of this is road: the Coverdale road is quiet and grass-centred in places, but it is the through route over Park Rash to Kettlewell and cars come round the bends quickly, so a lead is the sensible default rather than a precaution. The field section crosses working pasture with stock in it, through gates and stiles, and the Cover runs close by in a shallow rocky bed that dogs can get into and out of easily.