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More dog owners than ever are seeking peaceful, off-the-beaten-track adventures away from the chaos

Looking for the perfect spot to take your dog for a walk without dealing with crowds of people? While you're not alone, with pet owners up and down the country looking for more secluded spots for their four-legged friends.

New research from dog food subscription service Tails.com analysed Instagram hashtag data to identify the UK’s most remote yet breathtaking walks. From hidden woodland trails to sweeping coastal paths, these lesser-trodden routes offer the perfect excuse to grab the lead and explore somewhere quieter.

Topping their list, with just 1,000 hashtags each, were the Wainwright Coast to Coast Walk in the north, and Middlewood Way in the Cheshire countryside.

The Wainwright coast-to-coast walk stretches 192 miles from St Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay, crossing through the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors, making any stretch of this long route perfect for walking your canine pal.

The Lake District stretch in particular is great for dogs, with a quiet, remote feel and plenty of mixed terrain. Just watch out for livestock and keep leads handy where needed.

A much shorter option is Middlewood Way in Cheshire, a 10-mile, traffic-free trail that follows a former railway line between Marple and Macclesfield.

Lined with trees, wildflowers and open fields, it feels surprisingly secluded, while also being perfect for dog-walking thanks to its flatness and well-maintained paths.

One walker who enjoyed this trail took to AllTrails, writing: "Beautiful walk, lots of activity on the canal and lovely flat walk."

Although another was somewhat disappointed at the behaviour of some of the path's dog walkers, writing: "The route is shared with mostly dog walkers lacking poop bags and leads.

"Having said that, the views are pleasant along the Macclesfield canal."

The UK's best and most secluded dog-walking spots

1. The Wainwright Coast to Coast Walk, Yorkshire
2. Middlewood Way, Cheshire
3. Ryvoan Pass & Green Lochan, the Cairngorms
4. Four Falls Trail, Brecon Beacons
5. Dovedale Stepping Stones Walk, Peak District
6. Llyn Idwal Circular, Snowdonia
7. The Ridgeway, Wiltshire to Buckinghamshire
8. Loughrigg Fell & Rydal Cave Walk, Lake District
9. Great Glen Way, Fort Williams to Inverness
10. Gower Coast Path, South Wales