We published a post recently about being careful while planning new walking routes for fear of meeting cattle Ensuring Safety on a Walking Holiday: Cattle Management – Cattle Safety . This fear is not unusual, and is well founded, we have hundreds of reports where walkers have been frightened or hurt. Below are three recent reports where walkers have been scared or threatened by cattle. These walkers were not injured, but unfortunately we have many reports where people have been badly hurt. How a walker behaves does not seem to predict a particular outcome, as cattle seem to be unpredictable to us lesser mortals (there are those who say watch the head, look at the feet, avoid eye contact etc…. and they profess to be able to understand cattle behaviour – we are not cattle experts and should not be expected to be.) So in Cattle Safety eyes – all cows are a concern and an encounter with them is potentially dangerous.
Each of these incidents below will cause those walkers concern the next time they plan a walk. Some people do not have the luxury of walking a guaranteed cattle free path across our countryside, so may simply chose not to walk – at a time when our health advisors are saying that walking in the countryside is one of the most beneficial exercises we can do. Fences are needed to keep walkers and cattle apart.
Mag’s report:
Number: 1245 Date: 15/5/26 Location: Fields along stream to east of St Nectans Glen, Cornwall. 2 people.
“We were walking a circular hook from Boscastle through Tredole Farm, along St Nectans Glen to Tintagel and then back along coast. A long planned walk that we were looking forward to. On passing the ruined barn opposite Trewitten we encountered a group of cows and a bull in the field. My partner tried to walk past and the cows moved up the hill. The bull stared straight at him and started to approach him. We backed away but by this time I was feeling very scared. We decided to walk up to the main road to detour but along the way I started to have heart palpitations and feel ill. The bull had triggered an anxiety attack. We had to stop the walk and take the bus back to Boscastle. This was hugely disappointing and worrying and ruined our day. I would like the farmer to realise that their actions cause others distress. I was unable to continue with our day and felt ill because of the bull.”
Sarah’s report:
Report: 1246 Date: 9/5/26 Location: Well used footpath between Ashbourne and Osmaston. The fields you pass through are mostly crops – just 2 near the river have cows and it happened with young cows on a gated field
“I entered the field via the gate and instantly the c 30 cows were gathered at the top of the field, one started charging towards me then the whole herd followed. I shouted but it didn’t deter them so I panicked and ran. I climbed the gate on the other side and they gathered there making high pitched noises”
Keira’s report:
Report: 1247 Date: 18/5/26 Location: Edale Circular walk- Peak District National Park
“Me and my boyfriend saw the cows from a distance, they were across our path. I was initially worried so my boyfriend walked in front to show it was okay to pass. The cows did not react at all to him and he walked completely past. He then walked back to me and we both began to walk the same path together. As we neared them again on of the cows which had been lying on the ground stood up and charged towards us. We stood our ground and shouted at the cow and it stopped in front of us but was still approaching nearer. We carried on shouting and it then got scared and walked away.”
Cattle Safety 