Rhossili Downs Loop | The Best Walks on the Gower
This circular five mile walk takes you up to the highest point on Gower, Rhossili Downs, showcasing in some of the finest views that the peninsula has to offer before descending onto one of the most iconic beaches in Wales.
The hike is perfect for escaping the crowds and gaining a unique perspective over arguably Gowers best beach.
Key Information
Type: Loop
Distance: 6.5km
Duration: 1.5-3 hours
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Car park & start point: National Trust Car park at Rhossili
Wheelchair friendly: no
Where to Park
You can actually start this hike from either the Village of Rhossili or Hillend caravan site at Llangennith.
Of the two, I would recommend parking at Rhossili. Not only are there more facilities for you to enjoy, but if you you can extend this walk to encompass Fall & Mewslade Bay or Worms Head if you so desire.
Parking is available in the large National Trust car park which overlooks Rhossili bay. It’s free for National Trust members otherwise it costs cars £3 for 2 hours or £6 all day. The car park has to be one of most impressive in the UK, boasting panoramic views both over Rhossili and towards the iconic Worms head.
The 3 mile Rhossili beach which is overlooked by Rhossili Down, the highest point on the Gower
The Route
From the large National Trust car park in Rhossili head back through the village, past St Marys church and begin the short but steep climb up to Rhossili Downs. On route you’ll begin to get a taste of the epic views back over the beach and towards the Worm.
The view over Llangennith on the way up Rhossili Downs
Worms head
After just under a mile you will reach a trig point known as the beacon. Standing at 193m the beacon marks the highest point on Gower peninsula and is also the site of a Bronze-Age cairn built around four thousand years ago.
From here you will be afforded magnificent panoramic views over Rhossili and the peninsula.
Rhossili Downs
From the beacon continue to walk along the crest of undulating ridgeline, after one mile you will pass by an old WWII radar station, before beginning your descent down towards Hillend caravan site.
If you did want a coffee, or something to eat you can call by the affordable Eddies Bistro, located at the top of the caravan site.
From Hillend you have two options to return to Rhossili. The first option is to walk through the caravan site and follow the grassy path which runs parellel to the beach and past the iconic white house.
The second and more popular option is to walk past Eddie’s café, down through the dunes and back along the beach towards Rhossili.
As you walk across the beach and approach the Cliffs of Rhossili, lookout for the jagged remains of the Helvetia shipwreck. This was Norwegian ship which run aground here back in 1886.
The location is extremely popular amongst landscape photographers, especially at sunset.
From Helvetia, continue along the beach before making the steep climb back up to Rhossili Village where you can enjoy a well earned pint or pizza from the Lookout in Rhossili.
If you had a little more energy in the legs you you can extend this walk to encompass a loop around Fall & Mewslade Bay or if the tide times permit a walk over to Worms Head.
If you are here in the afternoon and the weather forecast looks good I would recommend staying for sunset as Rhosilli is the best place on the peninsula to watch the sun go down.
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You can find more Welsh hiking inspiration in the following blogs:
For more travel, hiking, & photography inspiration around Wales check out my in-depth guides to each of my favourite regions below.