What to do in the Somme with your dog?
Discover holidays in the Somme with your dog by bike. Learn more about hikes, visits and sports to share with your dog.
Table of contents
Hang on to the Wouafer's! I'm going to make you dizzy in this article dedicated to activities to do in the Somme with your dog. I loved preparing this series of 3 articles for you on the Somme destination with a dog and this last article devoted to what to do in the Somme with your dog brings this trilogy to a wonderful close.
Between nature visits, discovering castles and memorial sites, hiking, cycling excursions with a dog, canoeing... I hope you have 3 months of vacation ahead of you because the Somme will surprise and seduce you and you will not don't want to go home :p
In this article, we will sometimes go to the coast in the Baie de Somme for example, sometimes inland along the Somme Valley and we will of course pass through Amiens to take advantage of the assets of the Picardy capital with your dog and its famous hortillonnages.
You will have understood that there is something for everyone in this destination: sports to do with your dog, visits to do with your dog, hikes to do with your dog… I even found you a few groups of Facebook walks at join and share canine events to have a good time with other dog lovers.
Go Somme with your dog!
The Somme by bike with his dog
There are 3 major cycling routes in the Somme: the 160 km long Vallée de Somme cycle route between Ham and the Baie de Somme, the Memory cycle route which links Amiens to Arras and the Vélomaritime which runs along the Baie de Somme and which connects northern Brittany to the Belgian border. As for the bike tours available in the Baie de Somme, I recommend the article The Bay of Somme with a dog. You will find a lot of information to prepare your stay in the Bay of Somme with your dog.
Today, I'm going to introduce you to the Somme Valley cycle route: the perfect route to discover the Somme from one end to the other! On the way, you will discover Ham, Péronne, Froissy, Méricourt-sur-Somme, Corbie, Amiens, Abbeville and you will arrive at the very end where the Baie de Somme awaits you! If you are a history buff, the Historial de la Grande Guerre in Péronne is a must-see place, but beware, your dog is not allowed. The towpath along the Somme river will please you especially if you transport your dog in a special dog trailer. Who says towpath says flat path. Your thighs and calves will appreciate it!
If you don't have your own bike or a trailer for your dog, the Cappy Nautical Center offers bike rentals with dog-friendly trailers. This is ideal if you don't have your own equipment for cycling with your dog. The Pays du Coquelicot Tourist Office in Albert will welcome your furry friend with a little surprise! Your dog can refresh themselves at the dog bar, and you'll receive a welcome kit with a treat and, most importantly, a guide to dog-friendly businesses in the area. For bike rentals, I also recommend checking out our selection of dog-friendly activities in the Somme : you'll find other rental companies that offer bike trailers for dogs.
Before you set off on a bike ride with your dog, whether he's off-leash by your side, running ahead pulling you along, "following" with you in a dog backpack, traveling in a front basket, or in a dog bike trailer, I recommend reading or rereading the article " Cycling with Your Dog ." You'll find valuable advice there to help you prepare for your ride or bike tour with your canine companion.
Before going any further in this article, I'd like to take a moment to share some valuable information about QUALIDOG-certified accommodations in the Somme. If you're looking for places where you and your dog will be welcome, I suggest you check out my selection in the article "Discovering the Somme with my dog" or take a look directly at our map of dog-friendly accommodations in the Somme.
The most beautiful hikes to do with your dog in the Somme
Walking or hiking: this is the star holiday activity of all happy dog owners. Is not it ? So I have selected here some great ideas for walks or hikes to do with your dog in the Somme. This is a non-exhaustive list of course because there are many more natural places to discover with your dog in the Somme. I just couldn't tell you about everything so I made a small selection from the walks and hikes tested, approved and shared by the Wouafer's.
I love going on nature outings with a guide. But often these outings are not dog-friendly either because they take place in protected and fragile natural areas so dogs are not welcome there or because the animals we want to see would spot us too quickly with doggie who may not be as discreet as necessary...
But Vincent, a nature guide with Baie de Somme Exploration, offers dog-friendly outings! Of course, you'll need to call him to confirm your dog's presence, but he welcomes them happily on several of his outings in the Baie de Somme and beyond. For example, he offers a mystery hike to discover the Bois de Cise in the heart of the Ault cliffs , an outing of about 4 hours covering 2 km. A treasure hunt that will appeal to your children and your dog! You can also discover the medieval town of Saint Valery-sur-Somme on this same mystery hike with Vincent, as well as the Marquenterre, the Dunes du Royon to explore the dune area of Quend-Plage. Vincent also takes you to discover the Upper Somme, guiding you through Cappy with its fortified church and port, and its surroundings to meet the Little Train of the Upper Somme , an activity to share with your whole family and your dog, all the way to the Canal de la Somme and its ponds! Vincent also offers two treasure hunts to share with your dog and children: one in Bouvaque Park in Abbeville and the other at Belle Dune Lake in Fort-Mahon-Plage. All you have to do is choose and book.
I told you about the Somme Valley cycle route a little earlier. Throughout these 160 km, you can find no less than 30 viewpoints. I invite you to discover that of Vaux in Eclusier-Vaux. The belvedere dominates the upper valley of the Somme and offers a superb panorama of tracery, ponds and marshes. It is also the starting point for a very pretty hike.
Fancy a breath of fresh air? Get lost in the Crécy forest with your dog . It's a state-owned forest. For walks, there are 8 possible loops ranging from 3.3km to 5.8km, taking 1 to 2 hours. And for the more adventurous, a 15km loop awaits!
In the Baie de Somme, the flagship hike is undoubtedly that of the Pointe du Hourdel to go and see its seals. An incredible nature walk that will allow you to discover the Bay, almost with your feet in the water. Watch out for the rising tide! Be careful, however, not to let your dog run or let him bark near the seals. Be vigilant and observe them from afar without creating a disturbance and getting into the water.
On the coast, you can explore the Hâble d'Ault. This marsh area offers another alternative to discover nearly 300 migratory birds that have chosen this former lagoon as a refuge. This space is accessible with your dog on a leash, W'ouf race!
If you're a bird enthusiast, you can also explore the Grand-Laviers bird sanctuary . Lovely marked trails also await you for a walk with your whole family and your dog.
Near Amiens, I recommend the green corridor of Amiens; it is a marked route of 16,5 km between Bacouel-Sur-Selle and Monsures. This hike to do with your dog follows the Selle valley. This trail is accessible by stroller and bicycle. Practice !
To find other hiking ideas to do with your dog, I invite you to look at our selection of activities to do with your dog in the Somme here.
Find QUALIDOG-certified accommodation in the Somme
Here is a selection of QUALIDOG-certified accommodation in the Somme for a Trop W'ouf holiday with your dog!
Marina Campsite
Motorhomes and dogs welcome!
Domaine des Célestins
ALL breeds welcome!
Campsite the 3 sand pits
☀️ In the heart of the Bay of Somme ☀️
What to visit in the Somme with my dog?
Do you love history and fancy enriching your mind a bit during your holiday in the Somme with your dog? How about visiting a castle with your canine companion? I suggest a visit to the fortified castle of Rambure with your dog and its incredible gardens. All dogs are welcome in the garden to discover its magnificent rose garden. As for the castle itself, only small dogs carried by dogs will be allowed to explore the various rooms. This visit will take you on a journey back in time 600 years!
In the previous paragraph, I told you about the Little Train of the Upper Somme : the 7 km long line of the Little Train of the Upper Somme was part of a network built by the French and British armies for the Battle of the Somme (July to November 1916). Your dog is welcome on board. Along the way, you will discover: Cappy and its port, the hills overlooking Péronne, the remains of a sugar refinery, the Somme Canal, and you will cross a metal bridge and pass through a curved tunnel of over 200m. A lovely countryside getaway to enjoy with the family!
In the Bay of Somme, another little train awaits you to discover these magical landscapes: the Bay of Somme train is also dog-friendly. Your pet can hop aboard with you and explore the entire bay from the carriages, and you can even choose to return to your starting point by sea with the Bateaux de la Somme (Somme Boats) , which also welcome pets. The Bateaux de la Somme also offer other sea excursions where your dog is welcome too. For example, you can go seal watching together.
And what about near Amiens? The Hortillonnages Ecomuseum is dog-friendly. Located just outside Amiens in Rivery , you can learn more about this landscape shaped by human hands and the lives of the market gardeners. Your dog can join you on the motorized boat tour. If you'd like to explore the Hortillonnages by canoe with your dog , you can rent one at the Rivery nautical club. You can also discover the Hortillonnages in Amiens itself by boat with your dog. If you can't visit the Jules Verne Museum or Amiens Cathedral with your dog, you can still stroll through the Saint Leu district and discover this charming area of Amiens with your canine companion. There are also several dog-friendly parks and gardens in Amiens. You can find them in our special selection of places to visit in Amiens with your dog.
If memorial sites like the Somme 1916 Museum in Albert, the British Memorial and Site Museum in Thiepval, the La Boisselle Mine Hole “Lochnagar Crater,” and the Historial de la Grande Guerre in Péronne are not accessible with your dog, please note that the town of Naours welcomes dogs on leashes in the park and small dogs in carriers or backpacks during the underground tour. The chalk quarries served as shelters for the inhabitants and their belongings, eventually becoming veritable underground refuges, known as “muches” (hiding places) in the Picard dialect. The tour includes a walk through the underground tunnel and access to the new “Les Soldats voyageurs” (The Traveling Soldiers) interpretation center.
I can't list all the places where pets are welcome here, but I hope this first selection has whetted your appetite! You can find all the dog-friendly activities in the Somme on the dedicated destination page of the website. However, I must draw your attention to one iconic Somme landmark that is not dog-friendly: the Valloire Abbey and Gardens. Your dog will not be allowed inside!
Sport to share with your dog in the Somme
Let's finish this discovery of activities to do with your dog in the Somme with a section dedicated to the more athletic among you!
Are you a fan of water sports? Canoeing or paddleboarding with your dog is possible in the Somme. For example, you can rent a canoe at the Cappy water sports center to explore its harbor and surrounding area. You can also rent a canoe in Loeuilly to paddle down the Selle River with your dog. The canoe rental company, Loeuilly Canoë Kayak , also offers longer trips, half-day or full-day, on the Avre River between Moreuil , Boves, and Cagny. The route is 14 km long. You can also try canoeing or paddleboarding in the Bay of Somme. Be aware that canoeing or paddleboarding at sea requires more experience… The tidal phenomenon, if not fully understood, can be dangerous. In any case, I recommend equipping your dog with a dog life jacket . It's essential for their safety!
Canicross can be practiced anywhere: on the beach, in the woods, on the towpaths... I am convinced that you will find a perfect playground for canicross with your dog in the Somme. But why not take advantage of a canicross competition to participate and thus discover new corners of the Somme? For example, I recommend the Canicross des Amazones in Albert, usually organized in March. Several courses are offered: CaniVTT/Scooter over 5 km, long canicross over the same distance, short and junior canicross over 3,5 km, 2,5 km for minimal canicross, 1,5 km for young canicross. A canimarche over 5 km is planned in groups and a canibaby grouped over 100 meters.
You can also participate in Le cani'davenes'cross organized in May in Davenscourt. Here again, several courses and disciplines await you.
Here are two ways to discover the Somme by doing a bit of sport with your dog and by joining canicross enthusiasts.
Looking for more sporting activities to do with your dog in the Somme? Head to the Belle Dune golf course ! You read that right, golf! It's one of the few golf courses accessible with your dog. No chasing the ball here, but your pooch can, on a leash, accompany you from hole to hole. Fellow golfers, here's a pretty unique tip!
Bonus: discover the Bay of Somme thanks to our itineraries
Whether you are with family, couple or solo, discover our guided itineraries to explore the Bay of Somme with your dog! Every day, several activities await you, and your dog is welcome, W'ouf Course!
I'll stop here for this article, which is already very comprehensive! I hope I've inspired you to discover the Somme with your dog. You'll find a list of all the places to visit with your dog in the Somme on our dedicated destination page, as well as all the QUALIDOG-certified accommodations waiting for you for your next family holiday with your dog in the Somme. And if you'd like more information about the Bay of Somme, I invite you to read the article " The Bay of Somme with my dog ." I can't wait to see your holiday photos with #emmenetonchien, my dear furry friends!
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Phew! Thanks to you, I'll be able to get my little Lisa used to living with humans, whose company she still finds difficult. She comes from Romania, where her first steps with two legs weren't easy.
Thank you very much for all the information on the places where it is possible to take your cat or dog, I find it a shame that some places are not authorized, there are also contradictions for example we visited a museum near Thiepval dogs in baskets are allowed there, at the historial of Péronne no, we wonder why, I think that efforts are to be made for our very dear pets with whom we travel. Your site is great, well done and keep it up.
Hello Carole,
Thanks for your comment 😉
Yes indeed, there is still a bit of work to do. But, I still have the impression that we are going in the right direction 🙂
Hello, I am preparing our stay in Somme Bay, and I am delighted to find a wonderful idea for a walk to do with Zeus. thank you.
Thanks to your site I easily find restaurants or accommodation with my dog. THANKS