A magnetic head includes a shield, and first and second return path sections. The shield has an end face that is located in a medium facing surface to wrap around an end face of a main pole. The shield includes a bottom shield, two side shields, and a top shield. The first return path section includes a yoke layer, and first and second coupling layers that magnetically couple the bottom shield and the yoke layer to each other. The first coupling layer is magnetically connected to the bottom shield. The second coupling layer magnetically couples the first coupling layer to the yoke layer. No end faces of the second coupling layer are exposed in the medium facing surface. The second return path section magnetically couples the top shield and the main pole to each other.