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Home> Walks> Wales> Swansea> Rhossili Bay

Rhossili Bay

Recommended by
Our view
"This walk takes in the stunning views over one of Wales's finest and wildest beaches"
Walk directions

From the car park, head out on to the road and continue uphill as if you were walking back out of the village. You’ll pass St Mary’s Church on your left then, immediately after this, bear left down on a broad track to a gate at its end. Go through this and keep left to follow a grassy track that snakes along the steep hillside.

Follow this through the bracken, passing the Old Rectory on your left and eventually you’ll reach a sunken section with a wall on your left, and a caravan park behind. Don’t be tempted to break off right just yet; instead, keep going until you come to a gate by a road on the left.
View all directions
Location
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain  - Easy-to-follow footpaths across grassy downs
  Landscape  - Rolling downland, rocky outcrops and views over gorgeous sandy beach
  Dog friendliness  - Care needed near livestock
  Parking  - Large car park at end of road in Rhossili
  Toilets en route  - At start near National Trust shop
Walks in Swansea Dog-friendly walks in Swansea Family friendly walks in Swansea
About the walk
The Gower Peninsula comprises a 15-mile (24km) finger of land that points westwards from the urban sprawl of Swansea. Its southern coast is the more spectacular, boasting dune-backed beaches of surf-swept, clean, yellow sand and magnificent limestone cliffs, chiselled in places into deep gullies...
Read more
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Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

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About the area
There’s no getting away from it – when it comes to image, Swansea is a bit of a mixed bag. During its heyday in the 19th century, as king of the copper industry, it was known as ‘Copperopolis’.
Explore Swansea
Area image

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Caravan & Camping
Pitton Cross Caravan & Camping Park
★★★
award
"Stroll across fields to sandy Mewslade bay...."
  • Launderette
  • Ice pack facility
  • Picnic Area
  • Shop onsite
Inn
Kings Head
★★★★
award
"Sympathetic conversion, offering stylish rooms and cosy public areas...."
  • Rooms 27
  • Free TV
  • Direct Dial
  • Wifi
Caravan & Camping
Skysea Camping & Caravan Park
★★★★
award
"Beachside location and immaculate facilities...."
  • Launderette
  • Shop onsite
  • Wifi available
  • Calor Gas
Nearby places to stay
Pitton Cross Caravan & Camping Park
Surrounded by farmland close to Rhossili Bay, Pitton Cross is divided by hedging into paddocks, with hardstandings for motorhomes available. Some areas are deliberately left uncultivate...
★★★    Rating
Kings Head
The Kings Head is made up of three 17th-century buildings set behind a splendid rough stone wall, standing opposite the church in this coastal village. The well-equipped bedrooms, inclu...
★★★★    Rating
Skysea Camping & Caravan Park
Set in an unrivalled location alongside the safe sandy beach of Port Eynon on the Gower Peninsula, this popular park is an ideal family holiday spot; it is also close to an attractive v...
★★★★    Rating
Greenways of Gower Premier Leisure Park
Set in a superb location overlooking Oxwich Bay on the Gower Peninsula, this popular park offers 160 well drained grass pitches and caters for tents and small camper vans. The central t...
★★★    Rating
Llanrhidian Holiday Park
Set in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Llanrhidian Holiday Park offers a wonderful base from which you can explore the stunning Welsh countryside. A well equipped site with outdo...
★★★★★    Rating
Parc-le-Breos House
Parc-le-Breos is a beautifully appointed Victorian hunting lodge with extensive gardens, which is located only 20 minutes' walk from Three Cliffs Bay. It is beautifully furnished – you ...
★★★★    Rating
The Diplomat Hotel Restaurant and Spa
The Diplomat Hotel is a Victorian mansion, set in mature grounds, that's been extended over the years to provide a comfortable and relaxing hotel. The well-appointed bedrooms are locate...
★★★★    Rating
Norton House Hotel
Norton House Hotel is a quaint Georgian mansion house set in a central location of the Mumbles. As well as period charm, all the modern conveniences are on offer. Resident's bar a highl...
★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
Kings Head
Beach House Restaurant, Oxwich Beach
   AA Rosette Award
Parc-le-Breos House
   AA Rosette Award
The Plough & Harrow
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
Kings Head
Beach House Restaurant, Oxwich Beach
   AA Rosette Award
Parc-le-Breos House
   AA Rosette Award
The Plough & Harrow
   AA Rosette Award
Norton House Hotel Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
Hanson at the Chelsea Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
Mansion House Llansteffan
   AA Rosette Award
The Links
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Route details
1hr 45min
Dog-friendly Family-friendly
Difficulty:
Medium

Gradient:
Moderate


Distance:
4 miles (6.4kms)

Ascent:
590ft (180m)

Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby  
Discover more walks in Swansea
If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.
Find more walks in Swansea

Rhossili Bay

Recommended by
Our view
"This walk takes in the stunning views over one of Wales's finest and wildest beaches"
Walk details
1hr 45min
Dog friendly Family friendly
Difficulty:
Medium
Gradient:
Moderate
Distance:
4 miles (6.4kms)
Ascent:
590ft (180m)
Walk directions

From the car park, head out on to the road and continue uphill as if you were walking back out of the village. You’ll pass St Mary’s Church on your left then, immediately after this, bear left down on a broad track to a gate at its end. Go through this and keep left to follow a grassy track that snakes along the steep hillside.
1 of 6

Follow this through the bracken, passing the Old Rectory on your left and eventually you’ll reach a sunken section with a wall on your left, and a caravan park behind. Don’t be tempted to break off right just yet; instead, keep going until you come to a gate by a road on the left.
2 of 6

Don’t go through but turn sharp right and follow the grassy track steeply up on to the ridge. At the top of the steep section, where the path isn’t always clear, it’s easy to be drawn off to the right towards some obvious outcrops, but keep to the top track that literally follows the crest.
3 of 6

You’ll pass some ancient cairns and drop slightly to pass a pair of megalithic cromlechs, or burial chambers. These are known as Sweyne’s Howes and are over 4,000 years old. More obviously, you’ll spot the remains of a World War II radar station to the right. Continue on a broad track up to the high point of The Beacon.
4 of 6

Keep straight ahead on a clear track that starts to drop easily then steepens to meet a dry-stone wall. Continue walking down the side of the wall and you’ll eventually come to the gate you passed through on the way out.
5 of 6

Follow the lane out to the road, turn right and pass St Mary’s Church on your right to return to the car park.
6 of 6
Location
Starting point
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain - Easy-to-follow footpaths across grassy downs
  Landscape - Rolling downland, rocky outcrops and views over gorgeous sandy beach
  Dog friendliness - Care needed near livestock
  Parking - Large car park at end of road in Rhossili
  Toilets en route - At start near National Trust shop
Walks in Swansea Dog-friendly walks in Swansea Family friendly walks in Swansea
About the walk
The Gower Peninsula comprises a 15-mile (24km) finger of land that points westwards from the urban sprawl of Swansea. Its southern coast is the more spectacular, boasting dune-backed beaches of surf-swept, clean, yellow sand and magnificent limestone cliffs, chiselled in places into deep gullies...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more
Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more
Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more
About the area
Area image
Swansea
There’s no getting away from it – when it comes to image, Swansea is a bit of a mixed bag. During its heyday in the 19th century, as king of the copper industry, it was known as ‘Copperopolis’.
Explore Swansea

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Caravan & Camping
Pitton Cross Caravan & Camping Park
★★★
award
"Stroll across fields to sandy Mewslade bay...."
  • Launderette
  • Ice pack facility
  • Picnic Area
  • Shop onsite
Inn
Kings Head
★★★★
award
"Sympathetic conversion, offering stylish rooms and cosy public areas...."
  • Rooms 27
  • Free TV
  • Direct Dial
  • Wifi
Caravan & Camping
Skysea Camping & Caravan Park
★★★★
award
"Beachside location and immaculate facilities...."
  • Launderette
  • Shop onsite
  • Wifi available
  • Calor Gas
Nearby places to stay
Pitton Cross Caravan & Camping Park
Surrounded by farmland close to Rhossili Bay, Pitton Cross is divided by hedging into paddocks, with hardstandings for motorhomes available. Some areas are deliberately left uncultivate...
★★★    Rating
Kings Head
The Kings Head is made up of three 17th-century buildings set behind a splendid rough stone wall, standing opposite the church in this coastal village. The well-equipped bedrooms, inclu...
★★★★    Rating
Skysea Camping & Caravan Park
Set in an unrivalled location alongside the safe sandy beach of Port Eynon on the Gower Peninsula, this popular park is an ideal family holiday spot; it is also close to an attractive v...
★★★★    Rating
Greenways of Gower Premier Leisure Park
Set in a superb location overlooking Oxwich Bay on the Gower Peninsula, this popular park offers 160 well drained grass pitches and caters for tents and small camper vans. The central t...
★★★    Rating
Llanrhidian Holiday Park
Set in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Llanrhidian Holiday Park offers a wonderful base from which you can explore the stunning Welsh countryside. A well equipped site with outdo...
★★★★★    Rating
Parc-le-Breos House
Parc-le-Breos is a beautifully appointed Victorian hunting lodge with extensive gardens, which is located only 20 minutes' walk from Three Cliffs Bay. It is beautifully furnished – you ...
★★★★    Rating
The Diplomat Hotel Restaurant and Spa
The Diplomat Hotel is a Victorian mansion, set in mature grounds, that's been extended over the years to provide a comfortable and relaxing hotel. The well-appointed bedrooms are locate...
★★★★    Rating
Norton House Hotel
Norton House Hotel is a quaint Georgian mansion house set in a central location of the Mumbles. As well as period charm, all the modern conveniences are on offer. Resident's bar a highl...
★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
Kings Head
Beach House Restaurant, Oxwich Beach
   AA Rosette Award
Parc-le-Breos House
   AA Rosette Award
The Plough & Harrow
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
Kings Head
Beach House Restaurant, Oxwich Beach
   AA Rosette Award
Parc-le-Breos House
   AA Rosette Award
The Plough & Harrow
   AA Rosette Award
Norton House Hotel Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
Hanson at the Chelsea Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
Mansion House Llansteffan
   AA Rosette Award
The Links
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby