What is the best surface to walk a dog on in summer?

Natural, vegetated surfaces reflect and absorb heat very differently from man-made surfaces, staying much closer to air temperature rather than climbing far above it in the sun. A grass verge running alongside a hot pavement path can be genuinely comfortable for paws even when the concrete right next to it fails the hand test.

Sand looks and feels forgiving but can trap and hold heat almost as effectively as pavement once the sun has been on it for a few hours, particularly pale dry sand above the waterline on a beach. Wooden decking and rubberized surfaces at playgrounds or sports courts also run hot, sometimes hotter than surrounding asphalt because of how they absorb and retain solar heat.

Favor tree-lined streets, parks, and canal or river paths with a mix of grass and shaded ground over open plazas, car parks, or sun-baked sports courts. When a route must cross open pavement, pick the shortest, shadiest crossing point rather than the most direct one, and check it with the hand test if there is any doubt.

Keep one or two grass-heavy backup routes in mind for the hottest days of the year, even if they are less direct than your usual path, so you are not deciding on the spot while your dog is already standing on hot ground waiting.