Rhossili, Gower Peninsula, Swansea, Wales
Worms Head
route · Coastal walk
Place photograph
7.6
Wildland
Half day
Time
Check
Cost
Dramatic
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.6A dramatic out-and-back walk from Rhossili onto a tidal headland shaped like a sleeping sea-serpent. The crossing depends on a narrow window around low tide, so timing is part of the adventure.
Worms Head pairs a striking coastal landscape with a real tidal-island crossing: the route is memorable because the sea sets the timetable. The causeway and rocky sections demand careful planning, not a casual wander.
Dramatic · Wild · Atmospheric
Find your way
Open mapRhossili, Gower Peninsula, Swansea, Wales
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Know this place a little better?
The experience
Walk from Rhossili towards the old coastguard station, then cross the rocky causeway only within the verified safe tidal window. The supplied guide describes a 7.5 km out-and-back route taking around 3–4 hours, with moderate difficulty and rocky sections.
Things to do
Walk out from Rhossili to the old coastguard station
Take the approach across the headland from the National Trust car park. The supplied guide estimates the station is about 1.3 km from the car park.
About 20 minutes each way, according to the supplied guide.
Cross the tidal causeway and walk towards the tip
Continue onto Worms Head only when the crossing is safe. The supplied guide describes rocky terrain and a further 2.3 km from the old coastguard station to the tip.
The guide estimates 45–60 minutes each way from the old coastguard station to the tip.
See the sea-serpent-shaped headland from Rhossili
Look back at the headland's distinctive outline. Its resemblance to a dragon or sea-serpent is the basis of a local legend described in the supplied hiking guide.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1–2 hours; confirm tide conditions before setting out.
Quick escape: Rhossili to the old coastguard station
- 01
Start at the National Trust car park in Rhossili.
- 02
Walk towards the old coastguard station on the headland; the supplied guide estimates about 1.3 km and 20 minutes from the car park.
- 03
Turn back at the coastguard station unless the causeway crossing is confirmed safe and you have enough time to return.
Half day · About 3–4 hours; the supplied guide gives 7.5 km and moderate difficulty.
Worms Head out-and-back walk
- 01
Start at the National Trust car park in Rhossili and follow the approach to the old coastguard station.
- 02
Check tide times and cross the rocky causeway only within the safe window stated in current local guidance.
- 03
Continue over the headland towards its tip, then return across the causeway and retrace your route before the crossing window closes.
Folklore & legend
The supplied hiking guide says the name is linked to the Norse word “Wurm”, meaning dragon, and recounts a local legend that Viking visitors saw a sleeping sea-serpent in the headland's shape. It also describes a blowhole said to boom and hiss in stormy weather. These are presented as legend, not verified history.
Hidden details
The headland's sea-serpent outline — From Rhossili, look for the long, curled profile that inspired the local dragon or sea-serpent story.
When to go
· Choose the crossing time by the current tide timetable, not by a fixed hour. The supplied hiking guide recommends setting out an hour or two before low tide; verify this advice locally before visiting.
The supplied sources do not establish a best season. Tidal access and safe conditions are the key planning factors evidenced here.
The supplied guide notes rocky sections and warns of storm-related conditions around the reported blowhole. Check the forecast and current local conditions before setting out; avoid exposed areas in unsafe weather.
The route
- ascent
- 230 m elevation gain
- surface
- Rocky sections; rocky tidal causeway
- distance
- 7.5 km out and back
- duration
- 3–4 hours
- difficulty
- Moderate
- route shape
- Out and back
- start point
- National Trust car park, Rhossili
- parking start
- The supplied guide identifies the National Trust car park in Rhossili as the start. Check current parking arrangements.
- shorter alternative
- Walk from the car park to the old coastguard station and return; do not cross the causeway unless current tide information confirms it is safe and there is time to return.
- Tidal causeway crossing, subject to a safe low-tide window
- Old coastguard station on the headland
- Walk onwards towards the tip of Worms Head
- Views of the headland's sea-serpent-like outline from Rhossili
What to look for
- 01
Notice the headland's sea-serpent-like outline from Rhossili. The supplied hiking guide also describes a blowhole on the outer head, said in local legend to boom and hiss in stormy weather
- 02
do not approach exposed edges or seek it out in unsafe conditions.
The story
Local legend associates the headland's shape with a Norse sea-serpent or dragon; presented as legend, not verified history.
Best time to go
Check local conditions and tide times before visiting; the supplied sources do not establish a best season.
Plan around the tide, not a general time of day. The supplied guide recommends heading down an hour or two before low tide; verify tide times and local advice before departure.
How long to spend
Half day
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers
Route at a glance
Duration
Half day
Terrain
Coastal, Remote countryside
Parking / start
The supplied hiking guide identifies the National Trust car park in Rhossili as the walk start. Check parking arrangements before travelling.
Before you go
Address
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The route crosses a rocky tidal causeway that the supplied hiking guide says is passable only from 2.5 hours before to 2.5 hours after low tide. Check current tide times and local notices before setting out; do not attempt the crossing outside the safe window.
Check before visiting
Parking
The supplied hiking guide identifies the National Trust car park in Rhossili as the walk start. Check parking arrangements before travelling.
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Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
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Accessibility
The described route includes a rocky tidal causeway and rocky sections; it is not presented as an accessible route. Check conditions and suitability before setting out.
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Cost
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Water
Sea
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Worms Head
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
