Wild Trails Wales Guide: 7 Walks in Wales to see Heather in Bloom

Between early August and mid September, the hills of Wales come alive, awash with a blush of purple as heather comes into bloom. There are three main types of heather we have in Wales; Ling, or common heather, which has narrow, delicate stems with small flowers; Bell heather has bulbous, bell-shaped flowers which do, indeed, give off the sound of jingle bells as you brush past them once the flowers have dried and remain on the plant; finally, cross-leaf heath, with just a cluster of the same bell-shaped flowers at the top. All types of heather support a wide variety of pollinators, bees in particular will be seen and heard thrumming from plant to plant as you walk by. It’s a spectacular sight, and one to mark the passing of the year by. If you don’t already, put heather gazing on your yearly walking calendar as you might for bluebells.

This guide is to give you ideas for seven places to walk in Wales where you can see beautiful heather displays. For a selection of more detailed route descriptions across Wales please check out our Wild Trails Wales Routes page.

So here are some beautiful heather walks in Wales. Be sure to go prepared, see Adventure Smart for advice.

St David’s Head, Pembrokeshire

The purple heathland of St David’s head common, and the lower slopes of Carn Llidi, an 181m peak of rock jutting up from miles of flat farmland next to the sea, catches your breath as the vibrant heather sits against a backdrop of cerulean blue Atlantic ocean.

Lower slopes of Carn Llidi with heather & gorse in bloom

2. Mynydd Mawr, Snowdonia

The heather-clad mountainside of Mynydd Mawr is juxtaposed by the harsh slatey purple-grey landscapes of the quarries at Moel Tryfan and Dorothea. Keep a look out for birds of prey hunting amongst the crags.

3. Rhossili Down, Gower Peninsula

The high, rocky ridge of Rhossili down has sweeping views across the entire peninsula, over Rhossili beach and out to Worm’s Head. When the heather is flowering the views are enhanced by a swathe of purple, equally spectacular later on as the flowers fade to a rusty orange.

Looking to Worm’s Head from Rhossili Down

4. Blorenge, near Abergavenny

The walk from Abergavenny up to Blorenge is a leg and lung buster, but the dramatic views and swathes of heather make it worth the while. For an easier walk, park at the Foxhunter car park and walk out along the plateau to the summit. One of the best locations around for heather-gazing!

5. Strumble Head, Pembrokeshire

Strumble Head is worth a visit for the lonely lighthouse alone, but the display of heather here is awe inspiring in late summer. This is happily also the best time to spot seals in the waters below. Stay late to enjoy a spectacular sunset.

Strumble Head lighthouse surrounded by heather

6. Rhinogydd, Snowdonia

Often referred to as the ‘badlands’ owing to the difficult terrain, the Rhinogydd mountains are nowadays one of the wildest parts of Wales. Heather and bilberry thrive amongst the rocky terrain; the Roman Steps path offering particularly beautiful blooms of scented heather on a warm summer day.

Heather on the Roman Steps route through the Rhinogydd

7. Yr Eifl, Pen Llyn

For the best heather displays with peninsula views, head to Yr Eifl on the Llyn Peninsula in north west Wales. A circular route taking in all three peaks is tough going but rewarded, if the cloud stays away, with a purple panorama.