Walk description: A glorious walk combining thrilling cliffs with beautiful wild beaches and a bird's-eye view of the Gower peninsula from Rhossili Down. The adventurous can walk out to the Worm's Head peninsula at low tide; energetic types can run or canter along Rhossili's four-mile beach while sybarites can laze on sands at wild Mewslade Bay. Access information: Buses 18, 18A, 18C, 18D run to Rhossili from Swansea; call First Cymru for info on 0870 6082608. Additional info: Large car park at Rhossili; visitor centre; small Worm's Head Hotel and a selection of cafes and shops. Start grid ref: SS414881 OS map: Explorer 164 Gower (10) Walk length: 5.28 miles Duration: 150 minutes Height gain: 200 metres Contributor: Nicholas Rudd-Jones Features: Hills or Fells Sea Toilets National Trust/NTS Wildlife Flowers Great Views Public Transport
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1 Start in Rhossili car park. Leave by vistors' centre / toilets. Turn left onto tarmac path. Go through gate and head west to Worm`s Head along wide stony track. (Grid ref: 414881) 2 When path curves left, at series of wooden posts, head across grass to building ahead. (Grid ref: 406877) 3 4 In the small visitors' centre there are displays of local wildlife and an account by Dylan Thomas of being stranded on Worm`s Head overnight. Tide tables are pasted up in window: if you intend to cross to the Worm, it is only safe for two hours either side of low tide. Head across grassy path between gorse to southern cliffs. After two minutes, reach corner of dry-stone wall on left; keep alongside it. Turn right just short of gate at corner of wall on left; turn left and follow wall again and continue with wall on left. (Grid ref: 404875) (Grid ref: 407874) 5 A beautiful view as you crest the hill over to Fall Bay and Mewslade. Descend to corner of wall and turn left. (Grid ref: 409872) 6 7 At fork of paths avoid right-hand path (dangerous) and continue uphill. At top follow grass path along wall. Continue along grass paths at cliff edge, keeping wall on left. Ignore grassy path to right above Fall Bay. Head uphill (keep wall on left). Head for ladder over wall. (Grid ref: 409873) (Grid ref: 413875) 8 9 Don't climb ladder; take middle path (right-hand path leads down to Fall Bay). Take very steep path next to wire fence. Again follow stone wall on left across grassy area towards Mewslade Bay. At sharp cliffs, head away from stone wall. (Grid ref: 415875) (Grid ref: 416873) 10 At what looks like a deserted stone shepherd's hut, head uphill. (Grid ref: 418873)
11 As white house comes into view to right ahead, take grassy path inland between bracken and gorse; path descends. (Grid ref: 421874) 12 13 Take right-hand path down between bracken opposite isolated rock outcrop. At stile do not cross, but turn right along grassy path (ten minutes to beach). Retrace steps to stile to return. Continue on left-hand side of path uphill. Go through gate and into woods. Pass through farmyard and turn left onto tarmac road. Turn right at larger road and immediately left at postbox. (Grid ref: 423875) (Grid ref: 428878) 14 At fork take left track uphill past house called "Bramwood". (Grid ref: 429880) 15 16 100m before large white house on left, climb stile on left into Nature Reserve. Follow shady path between bracken, cross small footbridge, pass house on left, then another stile. Path winds through bracken; head uphill. Climb stile and cross minor road to take track opposite. Skirt around right-hand side of reservoir. Track swings left and uphill to Rhossili Down. Stay on slightly stonier track to right. Soon after, track swings left (you can see the trig point on top of Rhossili Down to your right). (Grid ref: 428882) (Grid ref: 424884) 17 At fork stay on wider track to right until you reach trig point - spectacular views of beach below, the Worm and inland. (Grid ref: 423885) 18 Retrace steps for 50m then take right-hand fork. (Grid ref: 420888) 19 Gradually descend to Rhossili Village. At corner of stone wall head straight on. (Grid ref: 419885) 20 At next wall corner take steep path downhill to gate. Follow track and take path to right just before St Mary's Church. Join road next to phone box and return to car park. (Grid ref: 418883)