Formby gives dog owners an unusual mix of woodland, dunes, beach and marked trails in one place. That variety makes it ideal when you want something more interesting than a routine pavement walk.
Formby Beach and dunes
Dogs are welcome across much of the National Trust Formby site, including the beach, as long as they are kept under close control and you are considerate of wildlife and other visitors. If recall is not reliable, using a lead is the safer option.
The dune landscape changes quickly and supports protected wildlife, so dogs should be kept away from dune pools and areas where wildlife could be disturbed.
Check the National Trust’s current dog guidance for Formby.
Woodland walks at Formby
The pinewoods are a good alternative when you want shade, shelter or simply a different surface from the beach. Woodland paths can be combined with dunes and coastal sections, giving you plenty of options to vary distance and difficulty.
Formby is popular, especially at weekends and in good weather, so quieter times can be better for dogs that prefer more space or find busy paths distracting.
Kirklake Path
Kirklake Path is a useful shorter route from the edge of Formby towards the beach. The National Trust describes it as a 0.6-mile linear route through mature pine woodland, dune grassland and mobile dunes, with no road crossings on the route itself.
It is dog friendly for dogs kept under close control and can work well when you want a walk that feels varied without committing to a long route.
See the National Trust Kirklake Path guide.
Beach Boardwalk Path
For a shorter outing, the Lifeboat Road boardwalk route runs for around 0.3 miles from the car park towards the beach. It is a straightforward option when you want a quick coastal walk or are pairing it with time on the beach itself.
The route is suitable for dogs under close control.
See the National Trust Beach Boardwalk Path.
Devil’s Hole and other marked trails
Formby has several marked trails that make it easy to vary a walk. The Devil’s Hole Trail is around 1.5 miles and passes through dune grassland. The National Trust asks visitors to keep dogs on a lead in parts of this area between April and November because cattle may be grazing.
The Lost Resort Trail and Formby Asparagus Trail are other dog-friendly options, with different surfaces and distances.
Things to think about before setting off
- Keep dogs under close control around wildlife, livestock and other visitors.
- Carry a lead even if your dog is normally off lead.
- Keep dogs away from dune pools used by protected amphibians.
- Expect car parks to be busy on sunny days.
- Take water and dog-waste bags with you.
- Check signs for temporary restrictions, livestock or diverted paths.
Need a dog walker in Formby?
If you need somebody to collect and walk your dog while you are working, travelling or dealing with a busy day, Kay9 Adventures provides regular and one-off dog walking in Formby.
Kay can tailor the outing around age, energy, confidence and temperament, with one and two hour walks, puppy options, mature-dog walks and other flexible choices. See the full dog walking and adventure options or contact Kay9 Adventures to arrange a free initial meet-up.