Rhosili headland walk
This walk across the headland takes in views across Rhosili Bay and out to Worm’s Head before leading you back through the Vile, the remnants of an ancient landscape.
Start point
National Trust shop, Rhosili, grid ref: SS414881Trail information
*Gentle gradients sloping downhill from the start and uphill on the return leg. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**Unpaved path with some uneven terrain and steps. For further details, please see section marked Access.
***Dogs are allowed, providing they are kept under control. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.
Livestock along the route
Ponies and cattle are present along the trail throughout the year.
Total stages: 10
Total stages: 10
Start point
National Trust shop, Rhosili, grid ref: SS414881
Stage 1
From the National Trust car park with Rhosili beach and Worm’s Head Hotel to your right, walk towards the National Trust shop (on your left). The shop is in one of the former coastguard cottages.
Stage 2
When you reach the shop, you will see the 3-mile-long beach of Rhosili on your right.
Looking down over Rhosili beach | © National Trust Stage 3
Go past the shop and through a pedestrian gate to continue along the track with the cliffs on your right.
Stage 4
To the right of the path there are a series of mounds. These are the remains of one of at least 32 Iron Age forts found on the Gower Peninsula. The magnificent views from here enabled inhabitants of the fort to see their enemies for miles around.
Stage 5
To the left of the track a dry-stone wall encloses a medieval open field strip system. Known as the Vile, it was introduced by the Normans in the 12th century. This system is now largely managed for wildlife by the National Trust using nature-friendly farming methods.
Stage 6
Where the surfaced track bears sharp left, walk straight on, following a wide grass path towards the National Coastwatch Institute (NCI) lookout. From here, you'll have spectacular view of the Worm's Head. The lookout was built in Victorian times and is now manned by volunteers.
Stage 7
At the NCI lookout turn left to walk along the clifftop. You will join a path that runs alongside the dry-stone wall. Continue until the path and wall take a sharp left overlooking Fall Bay.
View over Fall Bay on the Rhosili headland walk | © National Trust Stage 8
Keep to the path on the left.
Stage 9
Follow the path until you reach an iron ladder and steps up to a pedestrian gate. Go up the steps, through the gate and follow the path on the right to take you uphill and through another gate.
Iron ladder with steps to a pedestrian gate | © National Trust Stage 10
Turn left and follow the marked footpath through sheep fields and onto a green lane. A short distance along the lane there is a sharp turn back to the left. Continue through the footpath gates and along this narrow, hedged track until you reach a wider lane on your right. Take the right turn onto the lane and follow it into Rhosili village, turning left onto the road which will lead you back to the National Trust car park.
End point
Rhosili Village, grid ref: SS414881
Trail map
Rhosili headland walk route | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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