Dog Friendly Cottages in Porthmadog by the Sea

Dog Friendly Holidays in Porthmadog

Porthmadog sits beside the Glaslyn Estuary, with the Wales Coast Path passing through the town and continuing towards Borth-y-Gest. This gives you several walks without needing to drive to the start of a route.

Borth-y-Gest is a small harbour village just outside Porthmadog. From here, the Coast Path follows the shoreline past a series of sandy coves and headlands. A one-mile route leads from Borth-y-Gest to Ynys Cyngar, and you can continue for another two miles to Black Rock Sands.

When choosing your accommodation, check each property’s individual dog policy, including the number of dogs accepted and any additional charges.

Black Rock Sands with Your Dog

Black Rock Sands at Morfa Bychan is one of the largest sandy beaches in North Wales. Its size makes it particularly useful for dog walks, but there is an important seasonal restriction to be aware of.

From 1 April to 30 September, dogs are excluded from a designated section of the beach. The restriction does not cover the whole of Black Rock Sands, so dogs can still use the remaining areas throughout the year. The council provides a map showing the exact exclusion zone, and it is worth checking the signs when you arrive.

The beach also has rock pools and caves around parts of the shoreline, while the Coast Path provides another route if you want to continue towards Criccieth.

Coastal Walks from Porthmadog and Borth-y-Gest

The Wales Coast Path gives you plenty of scope for longer walks. One established route runs for around seven miles from the Portmeirion area, across Porthmadog’s Cob and through the town before continuing to Borth-y-Gest and Black Rock Sands.

You can easily walk a shorter section instead. Starting at Borth-y-Gest gives you access to the smaller coves between the village and Morfa Bychan, while Porthmadog itself provides walks around the harbour and estuary.

Dogs are widely welcomed on the Wales Coast Path, but some sections pass wildlife, livestock and exposed coastal areas. Dogs should be kept under effective control, with a short lead required on most open country and common land between 1 March and 31 July and whenever you are close to farm animals.

For more dog friendly places to stay across the region, browse our North Wales dog friendly cottages for rent.