If you’re like me, going for a walk is more than just exercise. Too often, people stick to familiar paths and miss the opportunity to discover their next favourite spot. So, let’s embrace the adventure and explore beyond the usual paths!
That’s why I like using MyPAWfectPlace and AllTrails together—their features work in tandem to open up new walks and make every outing unique.
MyPAWfectPlace is where I plan the day. It’s my notebook. My map. My “don’t forget the backup option” safety net, using Notes, tags, Trip Planner, Map, and Calendar Views.
AllTrails is where I go for route details, proper trail pages, navigation, and the kind of “what’s it like right now?” insight you get from a large community of walkers.
These tools help you organise your dog-friendly plans and seamlessly access detailed routes as needed.
This post is not a review; it shares my personal experience using these tools and includes affiliate links to AllTrails. If you make a purchase, I may earn a commission, but this does not affect your price.
Why use two apps?
Because they solve different problems.
MyPAWfectPlace: the dog-day planner
MyPAWfectPlace is a free app that helps you explore new areas, and Notes help you save locations, add text, organise by tags, and display them as personalised Trips in map or calendar views. That’s ideal for dog owners to record parking, lead rules, terrain, cafe options, toilets, and take into account dog and owner preferences.
AllTrails: the route-detail engine
AllTrails is widely used to find detailed trail routes, check reviews and photos, and navigate routes on your phone whilst out and about.
Although the app has a free option, premium features include offline maps and wrong-turn alerts. How many times have you been out, only to lose your signal halfway up a mountain?
How I plan visits to new places
When I plan a new walk, I use a simple seven-step method with these two apps.
Step 1: Start the idea in MyPAWfectPlace Notes
The first step is to research destinations using the interactive maps; these can be beaches, lakes, towns, woodlands, historical sites, or simply must-visit viewpoints.
Once found, I save the main walk point as a Note, including essential details such as parking spot, lead rules, livestock, and a website link for more information.
Step 2: Add tags so it becomes searchable later
Knowing where I am going and the trip duration, I decide on my tags. Tags organise Notes and link them into useful collections for easy search later. Instead of searching from memory, just filter tagged Notes to find what you want.
Tags are the overlooked champions. I tag each Note by:
- Region (e.g., NewForest, PeakDistrict)
- Type (e.g., WoodlandWalk, BeachWalk)
- Dog needs (e.g. ReactiveDogFriendly, OffLeadPossible, SeasonalRules)
Step 3: Build your Trip in the Trip Planner
With Notes saved, I add a unique tag for the trip and order them by adding rough times: home, parking, walk, coffee, backup options, home.
Start and end with my home or accommodation address to include the total travel in your timeline.
Trips organise Notes into a timeline and map for easy sharing and planning.
Step 4: Link out from the Note to the trail route on AllTrails
This step unites both apps: link your AllTrails route directly to your MyPAWfectPlace Note.
You can edit a MyPAWfectPlace Note and paste your AllTrails route link into the website link field. This helps with
- The exact loop that you’re planning
- Or a list/search link for “walks near here” if you want flexibility
When you’re out, open MyPAWfectPlace for your plan, then tap AllTrails for route details and navigation.
For convenience, MyPAWfectPlace links to AllTrails just below the location map on the place page.
Step 5: See the day in Map and Calendar Views
Viewing Notes on the interactive map or by calendar date becomes a dog-walking diary. These views allow you to plan ahead, “Next Saturday: forest walk + pub”, or look back, “What did we do last March that was not too muddy?”
I also set in the dashboard admin for my calendar to sync with my own Google Calendar so that I can see all my plans in one place.
Step 6: Enjoy your trip
The most important thing is to enjoy your weekend, day, or walk. MyPAWfectPlace has the plan, and AllTrail helps you get through it with ease.
Step 7: After the trip, add one honest note
This step improves the whole system every time you use it. I add a quick line like:
- Mud city after rain — avoid in winter.
- Perfect at low tide, but high tide ended the walk early.
- Busy with bikes; lead needed.
- The dog loved it, and the pub food was great.
AllTrails is good for broad community updates and reviews, but MyPAWfectPlace stores your personalised dog’s specific routines and the things that matter most to you.
If you liked the walk, pub, or cafe, please add a PAWprint review if it is already on MyPAWfectPlace; if not, consider adding it with a couple of pictures. And again, please leave a review on AllTrails; this helps others learn from your trip.
What this app combo is best for
This app combo really shines when you are planning weekend trips or exploring somewhere for the first time.
MyPAWfectPlace keeps your plan tidy by creating a timeline of walks, activities, accommodation, and food options, while AllTrails adds detailed route guidance so you can choose the right walk length with confidence.
A word of caution, even with the best planning, local conditions and rules do change. Check signage on arrival, and adjust for weather or trail conditions. AllTrails aids with navigation, but always use common sense near busy areas, livestock, cliffs, and water.
But remember, no number of apps can replace common sense. Even with the best planning, local conditions and rules do change. Check signage upon arrival and adjust accordingly for weather or trail conditions.
Ready to give it a try for yourself?
Use AllTrails to find an unfamiliar trail by searching trail pages and reviews. Then, on MyPAWfectPlace plan the day by adding the trail as a Note, browsing our maps, saving places, tagging them, building a Trip, and keeping Notes for next time.
Taking this first step can transform your walking routine and lead to exciting new adventures.
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