Munro Bagging with Dogs: Routes, Rules & Safety

Dogs love mountains, and mountains love dogs. There's a particular joy in watching a collie bound across a summit ridge with the kind of enthusiasm that makes you briefly forget your burning quads. But taking a dog on a Munro requires planning beyond what you'd do for a human companion.

The Access Rules

The Scottish Outdoor Access Code allows dogs on open land, but with important conditions:

• Keep your dog under close control at all times — this means on a short lead or reliably obedient to voice commands
• Dogs must be on a lead near livestock — especially during lambing season (March–May)
• On lead on grouse moors during nesting season (April–August) — signs usually indicate this
• Pick up after your dog — even on a mountain. Carry bags and pack out waste

Best Dog-Friendly Munros

The ideal dog Munro has: a well-maintained path, no scrambling sections requiring hands, no steep exposure, and no livestock on the approach. Here are some excellent choices:

• Ben Chonzie: Gentle gradient, Land Rover track most of the way, minimal exposure. Perhaps the best first Munro for dogs.
• Schiehallion: Good path, no scrambling until the very top. The boulder field near the summit can be tricky for smaller dogs but most manage fine.
• Ben Lomond: Wide, well-maintained path. Busy in summer which means your dog needs to be comfortable around other walkers and dogs.
• Cairn Gorm: Well-worn path from the car park. Open terrain with good visibility.
• Ben Lawers: Straightforward ridge walk. Note: Ben Lawers is NTS-managed and requests dogs on leads to protect rare alpine plants.

Munros to Avoid with Dogs

• The Inaccessible Pinnacle, Skye: Requires rock climbing. Unless your dog has climbing skills, this is a definite no.
• Aonach Eagach: Exposed knife-edge ridge with scrambling. Too dangerous for dogs (and many humans).
• Any Cuillin ridge peak: Steep, exposed gabbro rock that can damage dog paws and requires scrambling.
• Routes through lambing fields in spring: Even a well-behaved dog can panic sheep. Use alternative routes or leave the dog at home March–May.

What to Carry for Your Dog

• Water: At least 500ml extra. Dogs need more water than you'd think at altitude, especially on warm days. A collapsible bowl weighs nothing.
• Food: High-energy treats for the walk, plus their normal meal if it's a long day.
• Lead: Always carry one, even if your dog walks off-lead. You never know when you'll encounter livestock or wildlife.
• Poo bags: Non-negotiable. Pack out everything.
• Towel: For the car afterwards. Your seats will thank you.
• First aid: Dog-specific items — tweezers for thorns, antiseptic for paw cuts, tick remover.

Safety Considerations

• Paw health: Rocky terrain can cut paws. Check regularly, especially on sharp quartzite. Dog boots exist but most dogs hate them. Build up distance gradually.
• Heat: Dogs overheat faster than humans and can't shed heat efficiently. On warm days, take frequent breaks, ensure water access, and watch for excessive panting.
• Cold: Short-haired breeds can get cold quickly at altitude. Consider a dog coat for winter walks.
• Ticks: Check your dog thoroughly after every hill walk. Scottish ticks can transmit Lyme disease to dogs as well as humans.
• Fitness: Build up your dog's hillwalking fitness gradually, just as you would your own. A couch potato dog shouldn't start with a 12-hour day on Ben Nevis.