To the south-west of Swansea lies a rectangular patch of land known as the Gower Peninsula. It is an area of contrasts to the south cliffs tower over the sea; to the north lie extensive marshes and salt flats. At the western end these are linked by a superb beach which stretches below Rhossili Down, the highest point on the Gower. At the most westerly tip of the Peninsula lies Worm's Head, a mile-long serpent-like promontory.
Cefn Bryn, a 12km ridge that forms the spine of the peninsula, separates the north and south coasts. On a clear day it offers stunning views into mid-Wales to the north and across the Bristol Channel to Devon and Cornwall to the south. In recognition of the undeniable beauty of the area, in 1959 the Gower was declared as the first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Britain.
Route info
|
·
|
Distance: 35.5km (22 miles)
|
|
·
|
Time: 4-5 hours (longer if wet)
|
|
·
|
Start/finish: Penmaen viewpoint car park (GR529888)
|
|
·
|
Terrain: mostly bridleways linked with bits of road, some parts muddy after rain
|
|
·
|
Maps: OS Explorer (1:25,000) 10 or OS Landranger (1:50,000) 159 Swansea & Gower
|
|
·
|
Accommodation: B&Bs and campsites throughout Gower; there is camping near the start at Penmaen, also at Oxwich, Llanddewi and by the sea at Hillend
|
|
·
|
Public transport: rail to Swansea
|
|
·
|
Tourist information:Swansea tel. (01792) 468321
|
Route directions
Turn left out of the Penmaen car park and after 70m turn right onto a rough track. At the top, turn left and then fork left almost immediately onto a track which climbs Cefn Bryn in front of you. This runs almost the entire length of the ridge and is known as Talbots Way after the 19th century occupant of nearby Penrice Castle. Ignore any tracks that take you away from the top of the ridge.
Click here for directions Phil’s Gower Tide
