Dog Friendly Walks in Hampshire
(Tried & Tested by Mango)
Looking for beautiful, dog-friendly walks in Hampshire?
Whether you want peaceful woodland paths, open heathland, or a loop with a great café at the end, Mango (our ever-enthusiastic cocker spaniel) and I are on a mission to sniff out the best routes in the county.
Each walk listed here has been personally walked, rated, and approved by us — with all the details you need to know before heading out: parking, terrain, off-lead info, and nearby treats.
Greensand Way Circular – A Quiet Alternative to the Devil’s Punchbowl
If you've ever turned up to the Devil's Punch Bowl at a weekend and found it rammed with families, dogs, and walkers galore, you’re not alone.
It’s beautiful — but busy, and with an adolescent dog on a long line, it can be less than relaxing as you try to navigate around all the other walkers and dogs.
But cross over from the main car park, and you'll find the Greensand Way. It's much, much quieter and a beautiful walk with stunning views. Perfect if you like (or need) to avoid the crowds.
We walked it on a sunny Saturday morning at 10am and saw just two mountain bikers, a runner, and one other walker (no dog) the whole time. Mango (our one-year-old show cocker) was in his element.
📍 Walk Overview
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Start: Devil's Punchbowl National Trust Car Park (GU26 6AG)
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Distance: Approx. 2 miles (circular)
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Time: 45 mins to 1 hour
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Difficulty: Moderate (hilly and uneven)
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Parking:
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NT car park: £2 for 1hr / £4 for 2hrs
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Or try London Road (opposite The Studio @ London Road) for 2hrs free parking if you're lucky
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Route Map: View on Garmin Connect
Parking at Devil's Punch Bowl and the start of our walk, just opposite.
🌿 The Walk
Look for this sign to get started.
Mango made good use of the water trough!
We were lucky to be able to find a free parking spot on London Road opposite a small parade of shops (it's on the approach to the Punch Bowl - limited spaces but 2hrs free parking if you can get one!).
Greensand Way is signposted and you'll find it just opposite the main car park in an Easterly direction.
You'll pass through the National Trust woodland maintenance yard at the start (a couple of big pieces of machinary etc), so don't worry if it doesn't look too promising - it does get better!
There's a clearing on the left with a large water trough (see above), so on a hot day you might want to let your dog have a drink before you carry on. Great for the end of the walk, too!
The path opens up and gives you a few different options to follow. It was our first time here and we took a right turn, heading south, which took us onto a green area with gorgeous views, and then down into the valley. It's a fairly rough, stone track in places, so not suitable for buggies or wheelchairs.
Once down in the valley, we headed north-east onto some much narrower paths with a climb up to the top of the hill (which according to my Garmin is 233m).
It's not as high as nearby Gibbet Hill (272m - more on this later) but the views are absolutely gorgeous, and there are a few benches dotted around to sit and enjoy it.
From there, we circled round and headed back to the main Devil's Punch Bowl car park, where you'll find a cafe, plenty of picnic benches outside to sit at with your dog, and a few water bowls dotted around. It's fairly busy on a weekend, but the tables are spread out far enough that if you have a nervous dog you should be able to give them enough space.
This was our first time here so we did a leisurely 2 mile loop. But you can extend this walk considerably if you want to go further. There are numerous paths heading off, and if you're really feeling adventurous, the Greensand Way actually stretches from Haslemere all the way to Kent!
This blog by Richard Gower outlines a great extended route that includes Gibbet Hill (hanging place of many a highway robberman, Sailor’s Stone and the Temple of the Four Winds: Greensand Way, Devil’s Punch Bowl Loop. Definitely a place we'll be revisiting.
Our route (follow this on Garmin)
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OS map showing Devil's Punch Bowl and Greensand Way
🐾 Dog Notes
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Dogs are welcome off-lead, but the National Trust asks for dogs to be kept on lead during nesting season (March to July) to protect ground-nesting birds.
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We didn’t see any livestock on our route.
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Watch out for mountain bikers — there were a couple sharing the trail.
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There's a water trough at the start near the car park, but no other water en route, so bring your own.
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No poo bins or bag dispensers once you're out on the trail.
☕ Facilities
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Toilets and National Trust Café at the car park (dogs not allowed inside, but there’s outdoor seating).
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NT dog-walking guidance for the area: Visiting the Surrey Hills with your dog
🌺 Why We Loved It
This is a perfect option if you want to enjoy the area without the weekend crush. The views are just as good, the path is varied and interesting, and it feels wilder and more peaceful than the Devil’s Punchbowl itself.
Mango gives it a solid 10/10 for scent opportunities, freedom to roam, and peace and quiet.
Know a great walk in Hampshire?
We're really looking forward to exploring more of the beautiful places in Hampshire, so if you know a great dog walking area, let me know!