Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), drawn by Global Adventurer.
The walk
The walk starts from the car park at Pitton Cross. A path follows the Mewslade valley down to the sheltered cove of Mewslade Bay, climbs onto the cliffs and follows the coast path west above Thurba Head and Fall Bay, where the cliffs fold into steep rocky headlands, to Rhossili, with its great beach and the Worm's Head beyond. The way back leaves the coast at the village and climbs by the lanes and paths of Middleton to Pitton.
It is 5.4 km with 164 m of ascent; allow about 1¾ hours. The grade is Easy.
Stay on the cliff path and away from the edge. Fall Bay and Mewslade beaches are cut off by the tide, so keep to the path above them. Worm's Head, beyond Rhossili, can be reached only for a couple of hours either side of low tide and is not part of this walk. The path above Fall Bay is rough in places, and there are fields with livestock.
The Pitton Cross car park shows no fee in OpenStreetMap. The National Trust car park at Rhossili charges, and the Trust runs a visitor centre in the village.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- Fall Bay is among the hardest beaches on Gower to reach, and its sand disappears at high tide
- At very low tide you can walk between Fall Bay and Mewslade Bay, but the cliff path joins them
- Rhossili Bay's beach is 2.8 miles (4.5 km) long, with the Beacon, 193 m, the highest point of Gower, on Rhossili Down above it
- Worm's Head, off the end of the headland, is two tidal islands that can be reached only at low tide
Getting there
Start: Pitton Cross car park. 51.56581, -4.27113
Directions to the start
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Pembrey and Burry Port: Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line is drawn along OpenStreetMap paths and the figures are worked out from it; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.