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Route Rhossili Down and Beach County Swansea Difficulty Moderate Distance 7km (4½miles) Typical time 2-3 hours OS grid reference: SS415880, Explorer 164 Starting point Rhossili car park

Blister rating: 3/5 View rating: 2/5

Why I love this walk

Dylan Thomas portrayed the rugged headland of Rhossilli Down as “rubbery, gull-limed grass, sheep-piled stones . . . pieces of bones and feathers”, which doesn’t sound appealing until you consider that it offers one of the greatest beach views in Europe.

The bay, the largest expanse of white sand on the Gower peninsula, runs for 5km (3 miles) from Worms Head (a pair of rocky outcrops) to the islet of Burry Holms.

Popular with dog-owners and surfers, it’s broad enough for all types of walker, while the Down is a launch point for hang-gliders, gulls and cormorants.

On a clear day there are fine views of Lundy Island, and on a clear evening there are breathtaking sunsets. The Worms Head is accessible only at low tide but provides excellent rock-pooling. On the outer island, a booming blow-hole throws up water visible from the village 3km away.

Other trails lead to an abandoned radar station and a coastguard lookout. The terrain west of the village is largely owned by the National Trust, and for most of the year there is an information centre for important matters such as tide times.

The route

1 From Rhossili car park, return up the road. Turn left just beyond the church on a path past a standing stone. Pass a gate on your left signed “Rhossili Bay” and in 50m go through a gate marked “Rhossili Down” gate. A short, steep climb leads to the summit of Rhossili Down and jaw-dropping views.

2 Pass the Ordnance Survey’s trig. pillar on The Beacon and continue along the ridge path. In 1km, bear left to pass through the ruins of a WW2 radar station. Follow the path steeply downhill, descending to go through a gate at the right-hand side of a caravan park.

3 Pass the caravan site shop and turn left down a roadway that threads through the dunes onto Rhossili Beach. Turn left for 3km along the beach to Rhossili, where you climb steps from the beach up to the village to return to the car park.

4 An extra treat: continue from the car park past the National Trust shop and visitor centre, on along the cliffs for 1km to pass the Coastguard lookout and descend to the Worms Head causeway. Here is some of the best rockpooling in Britain. Watch the tides, though.

Things to see: Stunning views from Rhossili Down over Worm's Head promontory, Rhossili Beach and Llangennith Burrows

Pub rating: 3/5

Pub: The Worm's Head Hotel boasts one of the most sensational coastal views in Wales as well as decent grub and local beers

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