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Gower, Swansea

Difficulty Moderate

Walking time 7 hours 30 minutes

Length 24.7km / 15.4mi

Route developer: Fiona Barltrop

Route checker: rachel jenkins

Start location Cefn Bryn car park, Penmaen (SS531888)
Route Summary A marvellously scenic linear walk along the south Gower coast from near the delectable three Cliffs Bay. The route follows the wild stretch of limestone coast and culminates at the most westerly tip of Gower, the Worms Head promontory, Rhossili.
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Getting there

The 118 bus route alternates between Parkmill/Penmaen and Cilibion. (0871 200 2233, www.traveline-cymru.info). 

Description

[1]  From the car park head back down to the main road, passing the church on your right. Cross South Gower Raod and continue down the lane opposite, soon forking right and carrying on down a drive at the end of the tarmac. At a signed path junction you turn right.

There’s a super view from up here of the beautiful Three Cliffs Bay.

(A) The Bay was a finalist in the ITV series Britain’s Favourite View, championed by another local beauty Katherine Jenkins.

Follow the path downhill, cross the stream and take the second sandy path on the right (by the National Trust Three Cliffs sign) uphill. At the top, turn left and follow the path (not marked on OS maps) that goes round the cliff edge of Great Tor, affording much better views than the marked path.

There’s another opportunity to admire Three Cliffs Bay to the east, and soon Oxwich Bay and its splendid beach is in view to the west.

If the tide allows, descend the bridleway on the left – between Great and Little Tors - to the beach. Otherwise, continue past a lime kiln round Little Tor to a three-way signpost. Turn left down a steep sandy path to the beach. Walk along the beach to Oxwich, bearing inland slightly to cross the bridge over the river. 

You may choose to walk through the sand dunes instead of the beach (marked as the coastal path, but this is much less scenic than the beach).

[2] Continue along the coast path past St Illtyds Church and up a long flight of steps. At the top, turn left at a signpost for Oxwich Point. Carry on through the woodland, descending more steps back towards sea level. Once at Oxwich Point you’re out in the open again.

Thereafter you’ll enjoy excellent views across Port Eynon Bay as you head west towards Port Eynon.

Nearing Horton the best walking, again, is to be had along the beach. When and where you access it will depend on the tide.

If you’ve had enough by Port Eynon, you can easily catch a bus back from here. The last leg needs at least 3 hours.

[3] From the Youth Hostel follow the signed path on the right, soon turning left and then right up to a stone memorial on Port Eynon Point. Continue along the grassy cliff top, then head back downhill towards Overton Mere.

(B) To view Culver Hole - a very tall, narrow walled cleft-cum-cave in the cliff with a few openings, thought to have been a dovecote - turn back left (at the end of the descent) along a rough path and continue over rocks for a short distance. Retrace your steps.

Now begins the most dramatic stretch of cliff scenery along the Gower coast, with Worms Head and the magnificent view of Rhossili beach providing a glorious finish to the walk.

It is possible to walk out to the end of Worms Head but only for 2½ hours either side of low tide.

The bus stop is just up the road.

POI information

The Gower Peninsula was the first area in Britain to be designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1956. Despite its modest size it’s blessed with a very varied landscape, ranging from the beautiful beaches and dramatic cliffs of the south coast, to the salt marshes of the north, and the heather-clad inland hills. Much of its wonderful coastline is also protected by the National Trust. 

Notes

Terrain: Well signed coastal path along cliff-tops and beaches. If possible, avoid spring high tide for the first half of the route in order to walk the beaches to Oxwich and Port Eynon (the lower the tide the better).

Maps: Explorer 164; Landranger 159.

Eating & drinking: Various pubs and cafés in Parkmill, Oxwich, Port Eynon and Rhossili.

Sleeping: Visit www.visitswanseabay.com Visitor information can also be obtained from the main one for Swansea  Plymouth Street (back of Grand Theatre) Swansea SA1 3QG tel: 01792 468321 email: tourism@swansea.gov.uk   www.the-gower.com 

Visitor Information: Mumbles Tourist Information Centre, Mumbles Methodist Church, Mumbles Road (01792 361302, http://www.mumblesinfo.org.uk). Visitor information can also be obtained from the Swansea Tourist Information Centre,  Plymouth Street (back of Grand Theatre) Swansea SA1 3QG tel: 01792 468321 email: tourism@swansea.gov.uk   www.the-gower.com

Local Ramblers Groups: Swansea Ramblers (www.swansearamblers.org.uk); Tawe Trekkers (www.tawetrekkers.org.uk).

Acknowledgements

Route originally appeared in Walk magazine in Spring 2012 (issue No. 34).

  • Port Eynon beach view
    Port Eynon beach view
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