Llanmadoc via Whiteford Sands Circular (Wales Coast Path) walk
Out through NT pine forest with salt marsh views to a lighthouse, back along sand dunes and a remote beach.
| Length | Up to 11km / 7 miles |
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| OS Map | OS Explorer 164 (Gower) |
| Toughness | 2 out of 10 |
| Features |
This is an unusual but stunningly beautiful walk. It starts in Llanmadoc, a small village on the north west corner of Gower, and heads into a NT Nature Reserve through a very pretty pine forest with salt marsh views on one side, and sand dunes on the other.. At the the end of the pine forest are lovely views over the sea / estuary to Pembrokeshire and the remains of a lighthouse (follow the tide out, don't stay long - dangerous tides!) Return along the long secluded sandy beach backed by sand dunes (or through the sand dunes). This area is discreetly used by naturists. Walking along the beach is easy going, even at high tide. Return through the pine forest along the base of a small hill, or walk a little further arouns the hill, and back over the headland. There is a gastro-pub in the village For a longer walk, climb Llanmadoc Hill, to the south of the village, for great views over Rhosilli bay, and over the sea towards Pembrokeshire. |
| Rhosilli | If you have a car, visit nearby Rhosilli - one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. |
| Travel | By car : SA3 1DJ. Small honesty car park, or park for free in the village. By bus: year round bus service from Swansea. |
| Stay | Rhosilli has B&Bs and Port Eynon a youth hostel. Mummbles (Oystermouth) is about 30 mins drive away if you have a car. Camping in Llangennith (reserve in advance weekends and summer) |
| Lunch and Tea |
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| Profile | |
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| Help Us! |
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| By Car |
Start Llanmadoc, West Glamorgan, SA3 1DJ Map Directions |
| Map Walk | This walk requires an OS map and a compass or GPS for navigation. You can print out OS maps using the link above. |
| Amazon | |
| Help |
National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Traveline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234 |
| Version |
Aug-24 Andrew |
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Walk Directions
- Walk through the village, past the pub, veer right at the junction, and pass the honesty car-park in a field on your right.
- Just before the entrance to the NT Nature Reserve, there is a footpath on your right ('Cwm Ivy and Betty Church Nature Reserve'), which make a nice change if you have done this walk before. It goes out on a dyke over the salt marsh. Turn left at the end to meet up with the main route in the pine forest. Note there isn't a church - Betty Church is the name of the person who donated some land to a Wildlife Trust
- Continue down the lane (below Cwm Ivy tor on OS maps), through the gate into the Whiteford Sands National Trust (NT) Nature Reserve. Continue downhill.
- Follow the paved path through the pine forest behind the beach (Whiteford Burrows). The 'salt marsh walk' path joins on your right.
- Follow the path (or sand dunes) to the end. Continue to Whiteford Point - the end of the "spit" - Take great care if going out as far as the lighthouse
- Return along the beach - Whiteford Sands - until you have reached the start of the cliff / small headland.
- The shortest way back is to walk inland, around the base of the small hill, to rejoin the path through the pine forest. Turn right, uphill to return to the village.
- Walk around the base of the cliff to the next beach, then inland, and up over the headland, keeping to the coast path. Eventually you reach the village road near the NT 'gate'