7 Top Dog-Friendly Walks on the Northern Beaches of Sydney

The Northern Beaches of Sydney is home to some excellent dog-friendly walks, whether you’re after an easy coastal stroll or a proper bushwalk that your dog is welcome on. Check out some of my favourite dog-friendly walks on the Northern Beaches of Sydney and get ready to head out with your pup…

#1 Narrabeen Lagoon Trail

Distance: 8.4km loop
Difficulty: Easy-medium (Paved or gravel, flat)

One of my favourite dog-friendly walks on the Northern Beaches is the Narrabeen Lagoon Trail. You can complete the full 8.4km loop around the lagoon, or just walk a shorter section of this track that passes through waterside parks, sections of bushland and on a boardwalk above the lake.

The track is a flat and easy multi-use path, that alternates between sections of paved path, wide dirt track and boardwalk. There’s plenty of signage along the way so you won’t get lost or not know how much further you have to walk.

There’s multiple carparks plus street entry points situated around the lagoon where you can begin and end the walk, although some of the parking is quite expensive. My favourite parts of the walk are the bushland sections next to Bilarong Reserve and Jamieson Park.

Dogs are required to be kept on a leash on the walk, although you can detour to the nearby off-leash Deep Creek Reserve for some off-leash fun (and free parking). Allow 2-3 hours to walk the full distance around the lake without many stops, although you can easily spend the whole day!

#2 Spit Bridge to Manly Walk

Distance: 9km one-way
Difficulty: Medium (Partially paved)

One of the most popular walks on the Northern Beaches is the Spit Bridge to Manly Walk. While the regular route takes you through part of Sydney Harbour National Park at Dobroyd Head, where dogs are not allowed, you can follow a modified dog-friendly version that avoids the national park.

When I was recently in Manly, I noticed that the latest signs for the walk clearly show this alternative dog-friendly along a number of back streets – there’s no need to download the instructions downline. The modified version is 9km long.

This hike starts at the northern end of the Spit Bridge, firstly following the Fisher Bay Walk. After a few minutes you’ll arrive at Sandy Cove, an excellent off-leash dog beach. It’s a great spot to allow your dog to run around and enjoy a paddle, especially at low tide.

Continue through Clontarf Reserve, keeping your dog on a leash, then follow the Clontarf Track. You’ll need to detour to the left when you get to the start of the national park, heading up to Cutler Road. There’s a number of streets that you can then take, aiming for Forty Baskets Bay.

On the rest of the walk to Manly Wharf there are no areas where dogs are not permitted. Dogs are even allowed off-leash at both Tania Park and North Harbour Reserve.

This walk is commonly walked one-way, with walkers returning to their starting point by bus, or hopping on a ferry back to the city – a bit trickier if you have a dog. If you have a small dog and bring a carrier bag you can take them on the bus, otherwise you’ll need to retrace your footsteps.

#3 North Harbour Reserve to Manly Walk

Distance: 3.2km return
Difficulty: Easy (Paved, mainly flat)

A great dog-friendly alternative to the full Spit Bridge to Manly Walk is to instead start your walk at North Harbour Reserve in Balgowlah. From the reserve, it’s just an easy 1.6km walk to Manly Wharf along the waterfront through Fairlight, with no detours. It’s also easy to then retrace your footsteps.

For ease of parking, it’s best to start in North Harbour Reserve and walk to Manly Wharf, although you can also do it in reverse. Dogs need to stay leashed upon the walk, but are allowed off-leash at North Harbour Reserve.

#4 Manly Beach Walk

Distance: 2.5km one-way or 5km return
Difficulty: Easy (Fully paved, flat)

Another easy dog-friendly walk on the other side of Manly is the walk along the promenade behind Manly Beach. While dogs are not surprisingly not allowed on this popular beach, nor the adjacent Queenscliff or Shelly Beaches, leashed dogs are welcome to join you on the footpath.

You can enjoy a fairly long 2.5km walk if you follow the footpath all the way from the northern end of Queenscliff Beach right down to the picturesque Shelly Beach. The path is fully paved and flat (ideal if you also have a stroll). Along the way are plenty of dog-friendly cafes or benches to sit down and enjoy the views.

To combine the walk with a swim at at dog beach, detour at the northern end to Manly Lagoon in Queenscliff. Both Manly Lagoon Park and Lagoon Park West are off-leash dog parks, and the sandy lagoon is a popular spot for dogs to enjoy a paddle. Be aware though that the water quality is variable and the lagoon should be avoided after heavy rain.

#5 Dee Why to Curl Curl Cliff Walk

Distance: 1.5km one-way or 3km return
Difficulty: Medium (Mainly unsealed, rocky at times)

Heading further up the Northern Beaches, there are a number of other scenic coastal walks that you can enjoy with your dog. One of my favourites is the more challenging Dee Why to Curl Curl Cliff Walk.

This cliff-top walk starts just south of the Dee Why Rockpool. The rocky path along with some sections of boardwalk continues for 1.5km south to North Curl Curl Surf Club, passing in between million-dollar houses and the clifftops – the views are stunning along the way!

Parking is available at both ends of the walk. The paid parking spaces can be quite pricey, but there is also some free on-street parking close by. You’ll need to retrace your footsteps to your starting point.

Note that this walk is often rough and rocky underfoot, and some small dogs might need a hand at times. Keep your dog on a leash at all times, especially close to the cliff top.

The southern end of the walk is adjacent to Curl Curl Lagoon, aka Curl Curl Dog Beach, a popular dog swimming spot. Technically though, dogs are only allowed off-leash on the southern side of the lagoon, in Flora and Ritchie Roberts Reserve – quite a detour considering dogs are not permitted on the short cut along the beach.

#6 Bilgola to Newport Walk

Distance: 900m one-way or 1.8km return
Difficulty: Easy-medium (Mainly paved, but steep)

This very short but scenic walk is located on the far north of Sydney’s Northern Beaches. It’s possible to start the walk from either end, either from the carpark at Bilgola Beach, near the surf club, or at Newport Beach, from the northern end of the carpark.

The walk in between is fairly easy and well constructed, although there are quite a few steps. Along the way stop off at the South Bilgola Headland Viewing Platform, for beautiful views towards the south. Note that dogs need to be kept on a leash at all times, plus they are not permitted on the beaches at either end of the walk.

#7 Manly Dam Loop

Distance: 7.3km loop
Difficulty: Medium-Hard (Unpaved)

Finally, one of the best dog-friendly bush walks on the Northern Beaches can be found at Manly Dam, a bushland reserve tucked in between Manly Vale and the Wakehurst Golf Club.

While this bush walk is not that difficult, it is quite long, without any shortcuts along the way. It’s best for dogs that are up to a longer hike. (Our Schnitzel was quite enthusiastic despite his size!) Allow about 3 hours to complete the full 7.3km loop.

The most obvious spot to park is at the Manly-Warringah War Memorial Park, at the southern end of the lake. However, dogs are not allowed in most of park, including the carpark and on internal roads, only on the tracks that pass through it.

I instead recommend parking on King Street, just before the park, then detouring around the carpark and dam wall. This way you can also skip the mesh walkway across the dam wall that many dogs will find tricky. See the map on the local council website for further details.

Dogs need to stay on a leash for the entire walk.

You May Also Like

• My full guide to dog-friendly walks in Sydney
• Dog-Friendly Beaches on the Northern Beaches of Sydney
• Top Dog-Friendly Walks on the Central Coast of NSW