The best dog-friendly hikes and walks in Dortmund

Dortmund offers a wide variety of dog-friendly hiking experiences, with over 170 routes suitable for you and your canine companion. These trails range from easy strolls to more challenging hikes, ensuring there's something for every dog and owner.

Dortmund's dog-friendly trails offer diverse terrain. You'll find extensive forests and woodlands like Stadtwald Bittermark and Süggelwald, as well as hilly regions in the south providing panoramic views. Many routes also feature green spaces, parks, and scenic paths around lakes such as Phoenix Lake, Hengsteysee, and Hallerey Lake.

Yes, Dortmund has plenty of easy dog-friendly walks. Out of the 176 available routes, 130 are classified as easy, making them perfect for a relaxed outing with your dog, or for those with less hiking experience. An example is the Hengstey Bridge – Lake Hengstey loop from NSG Hohensyburg - Klusenberg, which offers a pleasant, short stroll.

The komoot community highly rates the dog-friendly trails in Dortmund, with an average score of 4.5 stars from over 8,700 ratings. Hikers often praise the city's surprisingly green spaces, the variety of landscapes from forests to lakes, and the integration of natural beauty with historical landmarks, making for engaging walks with their dogs.

Many of Dortmund's trails are near lakes and rivers, offering opportunities for dogs to enjoy the water. For instance, the Hallerey Lake – Wischlingen Chapel loop from Dortmund-Wischlingen provides scenic waterside paths around Hallerey Lake. Rombergpark Botanical Garden also features the Great Pond, which supports diverse wildlife and offers a serene environment for walks.

Absolutely. Many of the dog-friendly trails in Dortmund are circular, allowing for convenient starting and ending points. For example, the NSG Grävingholz Nature Reserve – Forest Path in NSG Grävingholz loop from Kirchderne is a moderate circular route through extensive woodlands, perfect for a longer walk with your dog.

Dortmund's trails often combine nature with history. The Hohensyburg area is a prime example, where you can explore the Hohensyburg castle ruins and the Shelter in the Wannebach Valley. Other routes might pass by unique industrial monuments like the Zollern Colliery or the Lanstroper Ei water tower, offering a blend of natural and cultural exploration.

While most trails are easy to moderate, Dortmund does offer longer, more challenging options, particularly in the hilly southern regions. The Forest Path in NSG Grävingholz – View of Süggelbach loop from Eving is a moderate 10.6 km route that provides a good workout for both you and your dog, with varied elevation.

Yes, the hilly southern parts of Dortmund, particularly around Hohensyburg, offer routes with magnificent panoramic views. The Kaiser Wilhelm Monument at Hohensyburg provides a giant platform for expansive vistas, and the Vincketurm offers additional elevated perspectives. These areas are integrated into many dog-friendly hiking paths.

Dortmund features several nature reserves that welcome dogs on leash. The View of Süggelbach – Süggel Nature Reserve loop from Eving is a moderate route through the Süggel Nature Reserve, offering a peaceful environment to explore with your dog. Remember to keep your dog on a leash and respect wildlife in these protected areas.