7 pet-friendly adventure destinations

Canoeing, mountain-climbing, kayaking and paddle-boarding; these adventure destinations are perfect for a fun, adrenaline-filled holiday with your pets.

Roadtrip in Scotland, UK

The jewel-hued fields and evergreen woodland surrounding Dumfries is a brilliant backdrop for exploring and what better way to do so than via a roadtrip? Motorparty Classic Car Hire is a company that rents vintage vehicles to pet owners, including a Wallace and Gromit style motorcycle and sidecar. Let the River Nith be your guide as you navigate through some of Scotland’s prettiest countryside, or dive down to Lochrutton Loch, followed by a night at the pet-friendly Craigadam.

Kayaking in Florida, USA

For a fun, hassle-free way to explore the crystal waters, tropical mangroves and intriguing marinelife surrounding Key West, try renting from Lazy Dog Kayak. You can either go it alone and rent an individual kayak for you and your salty sea dog, or join a group trip. The group option includes parking up on one of the sandbanks to create an impromptu ‘dog beach’ and it’s a good option for novice kayakers. For pet-friendly accommodation in the area, try the ice-cream coloured Courtney’s Place Historic Cottages & Inns and you’ll find yourself only be a 14-minute walk from the beach.

Mountain-climbing in the Pyrénées, France

It’s hard to think of a better doggy-destination than the fields, lakes, mountains and forests of the Pyrénées. This landscape is full of new trees and smells to be investigated; expect fragrant wildflowers, pine needles and whatever delicious concoction the nearest mountainside restaurant is cooking up. After a long day exploring, eat your fill of Agneau de Pauillac and then retire to the mountainside yurts of Yourtes Mongoles Gavarnie. Be warned though, these tiny tents are in the Pyrénées National Park (where dogs are required to be leashed) but the owners are proudly pet-friendly.

Paddleboarding in Auckland, New Zealand

The gentle currents and beautifully sparse scenery around Takapuna Beach makes it the perfect spot for the world’s first (and only) dog paddle-boarding school. SUP Dog School teaches you and your dog how to paddleboard together, although fair warning – you will be doing all the work. Dogs however, will love the chance to sail over the water, barking happily while their human gets a good workout. The Peace and Plenty Inn is a short drive from Takapuna Beach, where the owners have two dogs of their own and new (socialised) dogs are always welcome at their coastal Victorian villa.

Glamping in Veneto, Italy

One of the many benefits to travelling with pets is that they won’t judge you if you want to take things easy, or get your adrenaline fix instead. Glamping Canonici di San Marco is a luxury villa with onsite glamping and activities like cycling, horse riding and canoeing. The tents themselves are bigger than most apartments and include gigantic four-poster beds, flowing gauze curtains, champagne and a big garden for pets to run around in.

Hiking in Queensland, Australia

The mild, dry winters in Queensland make it an ideal time of year to start exploring the region’s golden hiking trails. Dogs who don’t usually get to indulge in long walks will find the Emerald to Cockatoo Trail a fun challenge. The route takes around 2 hours and leads through the suitably verdant Wright Forest Bushland Reserve, where the trees and bush offer plenty of shady places to stop for a drink (it’s always a good idea to bring a collapsible dog bowl with you). Rest up at the Rainy Hill Retreat in Cockatoo, a pet-friendly wooden cabin, close to the trail end.

Canoeing in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany

Known as ‘the land of a thousand lakes’, Mecklenburg Lake Plateau is best explored by boat, especially if you’ve got a plucky pup with you. Kanustation Mirow is a campground on the shores of Mirower See – one of the region’s larger lakes – that offers canoe rental with human and dog-sized lifejackets. Fuel up for the day with a hearty breakfast at Strandhotel Mirow and then either join a guided tour or make a solo trip, skimming over cerulean waters with clear skies above.