Let’s Paws Together members walking a dog on a coastal trail near Ericeira

Dog walks in Ericeira & Mafra

Come walk with us.

Free, small-group dog walks around Ericeira and Mafra. No forced greetings, no pressure to keep up and plenty of room to sniff.

CostAlways free
Group styleSmall & calm
Meeting pointShared privately

A group walk, not a free-for-all

Let’s Paws Together is a local group for people who want to walk their dogs with others—without turning every meetup into a chaotic play session. We walk together, leave room between dogs and make space for different personalities. Read our community dog walk safety guidelines before your first meetup.

Most walks last around an hour, but the route and pace depend on the weather, terrain and dogs joining that day.

01

Space first

Dogs can walk near the group without greeting, touching or playing.

02

A steady pace

We pause, sniff and adjust the pace instead of treating the route like a race.

03

Honest signals

Say when your dog needs more distance. Stepping aside is always acceptable.

Where we walk

There is no fixed weekly circuit. We choose a route around Ericeira or Mafra for the weather, daylight and dogs expected that day, then share the exact meeting point privately.

Beach

Wide sand and breathing room

Useful for decompression and natural spacing. Long lines may suit some dogs when conditions and local rules allow.

Forest

Shade, scent and a quieter rhythm

Woodland paths around Mafra can work well on warmer days and for dogs who find busy spaces difficult.

Coast

Open views and exposed paths

Beautiful routes that call for regular leashes, careful spacing and extra attention near cliffs and cyclists.

A Let’s Paws Together member and dog during a woodland walk near Mafra
Routes move between the Ericeira coast and quieter paths around Mafra.

Your first walk, step by step

  1. 1

    Join the WhatsApp group

    This is where we share the date, general route type, exact meeting point and any weather update.

  2. 2

    Tell us about your dog

    Share anything useful: age, size, mobility, reactivity, fears or how much distance helps them settle.

  3. 3

    Arrive with room to settle

    Keep some distance at the meeting point. We begin walking without requiring nose-to-nose introductions.

Is this group right for you?

A good fit

  • You are happy to give other dogs space
  • You prefer a social walk to a dog-park meetup
  • You can share your dog’s needs honestly
  • You are comfortable keeping your dog on leash

Message us first

  • Your dog may lunge, panic or redirect at close range
  • Your puppy is not fully vaccinated
  • Your dog has pain, mobility or stamina limits
  • You are unsure whether the planned route is suitable

What to bring

  • A secure leash; a long line when the route is suitable
  • Water for you and your dog
  • Waste bags
  • Treats if they help your dog focus
  • Weather-appropriate shoes and sun or rain protection
  • Honest information about anything your dog finds difficult

Please leave retractable leads and greeting expectations at home. A secure fixed-length leash gives clearer handling in a moving group. No dog is required to interact with another.

Frequently asked questions

How much do the dog walks cost?

Nothing. Let’s Paws Together is a free community group, not a commercial dog-walking service.

Where do you meet in Ericeira?

The route changes between beaches, open trails, forest paths and other suitable spaces. Exact meeting points are shared in our WhatsApp group.

Can I come without a dog?

Yes. New residents, dog lovers and people who want to observe before bringing their dog are welcome.

Can reactive dogs join?

Some can, with enough distance and good management. Tell us about your dog before joining so we can discuss the route, group and safest setup.

Do dogs need to be off leash?

No. Dogs can stay on a regular leash for the whole walk. A long line is optional and only useful on routes where there is enough space and local rules allow it.

Are puppies welcome?

Possibly, once they are fully vaccinated and ready for the planned distance and terrain. Message us first so we can check whether that walk is a sensible fit.

What happens if the weather changes?

We confirm the route and share any weather-related change in WhatsApp. Strong heat, wind or rain may mean changing the time, choosing a more sheltered route or postponing.

Ready for a calmer group walk?

Get the next route in WhatsApp.

Introduce yourself, tell us whether you are bringing a dog and we will help you work out if the next walk is a good fit.

Join the next Ericeira walk