Wales

Exploring Cwm Ivy

Grab your binoculars and head out to this new wildlife-rich salt marsh, on a route that takes in two bird hides and plenty of opportunities for wildlife spotting. Look out for otters, kingfishers and wading birds.

Near to

Whiteford and North Gower

Start point

Cwm Ivy car park (SA3 1DJ). Grid ref: SS441933

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 1.5 (km: 2.4)

Duration1 hour 30 mins

Dog friendly**

*The majority of the walk is relatively flat, with some short steep sections. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**Dogs welcome on leads as there is livestock.

Total stages: 8
Total stages: 8
Start point
Cwm Ivy car park (SA3 1DJ). Grid ref: SS441933
Stage 1
Starting from the car park (privately owned) in Cwm Ivy, turn right onto the road and head down the lane (don't forget to put some money in the honesty box).
Stage 2
Walk through the village until you reach the National Trust gate signed 'Cwm Ivy Wood'.
Stage 3
Go through the gate and follow the track down the hill. The track bears to the right and on your left is Cwm Ivy Tor.
Stage 4
Follow the track as it bears right through a gate and into a plantation. On your left you will pass Burrows Cottage. Continue along the track until you reach the Monterey bird hide on your right. Why not pop in and see what you can spot?
Cwm Ivy bird hide, North Gower | © National Trust Images/James Dobson
Stage 5
From here you can continue on towards Whiteford Burrows or you can retrace your steps back up the track towards Cwm Ivy village and the car park.
Stage 6
Just before you reach the gate back into the village, take a left and follow a footpath through Cwm Ivy broadleaved woodland (managed by the Wildlife Trust) until you reach Cheriton bird hide.
View from the hide
The area you view from the hide used to be lush green grazing fields in early 2013, with relatively low plant and animal diversity. Since the sea wall breached the transformation has been incredible. Today, the growing diversity in plants and tidal pools of fish are attracting more wildlife. If you’re patient and lucky enough you may spot otters, kingfishers and a host of wading birds. The marsh harrier – the rarest bird of prey – can be spotted hunting here too.
Look out for Kingfishers | © National Trust Images/Richard Bradshaw
Stage 7
As you leave the bird hide go back along the way you came, and follow the path back through the ancient woodland.
Stage 8
When you enter the village, turn left onto the road and head uphill back to the car park.
End point
Cwm Ivy car park (SA3 1DJ). Grid ref: SS441933
Trail map
Exploring Cwm Ivy map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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