RHOSSILI GOWER, WALES
The dramatic wreck of the Helvetia in Rhossili bay
Photograph: Alamy
Difficulty
Easy
Length
4.3 miles/7km
Duration
2 hours
Start/end location
Rhossili village, from the car park opposite
the Worm's Head hotel
Map
OS Explorer 164
In a nutshell
Starting in Rhossili village, this route heads uphill to follow the undulating ridge of Rhossili Down, dropping back to sea-level down a steep, grassy slope. After heading across the dunes you'll reach the sea to begin a magnificent mile-long stretch along sand and surf to the foot of the cliffs, where you'll climb back to the start. Visit when the sun is shining and you'll be treated to sparkling blue-green water and radiant straw-coloured sand; no wonder TripAdvisor rates it one of the top 10 beaches in the world.
Why it's special
The real highlight is the world-class coastal scenery on this far western tip of the Gower peninsula. Featured on countless postcards and tourist brochures, the view from the low cliffs at the southern end of the beach is one you will likely recognise. What can hardly be missed are the rotting remains of the Norwegian barque Helvetia, which foundered in 1887, sticking out of the beach like jagged teeth. From here, the sands arc north, bounded on one side by a gracefully sloping moorland ridge and on the other by ranks of breakers.
As you walk along the crest of Rhossili Down, just inland you'll reach another feted viewpoint and also see one of the great landmarks of the peninsula, Worm's Head, a weirdly-shaped promontory that runs into the sea at the southern perimeter of Rhossili bay. From dry land, it looks incredibly like a coiled snake, particularly when a spray of seawater blasts through the blow-hole in its nose. The Worm's Head is composed of two rocks, which you can reach by walking along a tidal causeway at certain times of the day, a worthwhile detour if you time it right. (Check the safe times at the National Trust Visitor Centre in Rhossili).
If you look hard you may see grey seals basking on the rocks. There is an abundance of birdlife; choughs and peregrine falcons, and in mid-winter migratory purple sandpipers, great northern and red-throated divers and other rarities.
Reward yourself
The Bay Bistro & Coffee House is a friendly, laid-back place with magnificent views, great coffee and freshly-prepared food (it's licensed too) and a favourite with surfers who love the beach here (thebaybistro.co.uk).
Get there
Buses run from Swansea to Rhossili (travelinecymru.info). If you're coming by car, take the A4118 from Swansea and use the car park opposite the Worm's Head hotel.
For step-by-step details and maps go to
ramblers.org.uk/rhossili
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