Walking in Gower

Gower is one of Britain’s most captivating walking destinations, where limestone cliffs, hidden coves and sweeping sandy beaches meet rolling farmland and flower-rich commons. From the dramatic headlands of Rhossili and Worm’s Head to the views of salt marshes of the Loughor Estuary and Bristol Channel, the Gower Peninsula offers a remarkable variety of landscapes within a compact and easily explored area of South Wales.

This comprehensive guidebook, Walking in Gower, brings together 40 carefully selected day walks ranging from 5 to 21 km (3 to 13 miles), showcasing the very best of this designated National Landscape (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). The routes are suitable for both experienced walkers and those seeking shorter coastal strolls, with a range of options that allow you to choose walks to match your time, fitness and ambition.

• 30 circular routes are described, exploring the full length of the Gower Peninsula, including highlights along the Wales Coast Path, like Rhossili and Three Cliffs Bay
• Clear, step-by-step route descriptions are supported with 1:25,000 OS mapping, ensuring confident navigation along cliff tops, across Cefn Bryn’s open moorland and through the wooded valleys inland
• Practical information on parking at popular beaches and headlands, bus links from Swansea to coastal villages, and notes on local facilities to help you plan smooth, rewarding days out
• Insight into the peninsula’s limestone geology, prehistoric burial chambers, medieval churches and rich wildlife habitats adds depth to every walk from windswept cliffs to sheltered estuaries
• Downloadable GPX files for each route, providing reliable digital navigation as you explore the beaches, salt marshes, upland ridges and coastal paths of this idyllic corner of South Wales

From sweeping coastal panoramas and golden sands to tranquil inland tracks and flower-rich commons, the Gower Peninsula rewards exploration in every season. With its carefully curated routes and in-depth local knowledge, Walking in Gower is your essential companion to discovering the full breadth of walking on Gower – inspiring you to plan your next visit and uncover even more of this remarkable Welsh landscape.

Seasons

Spring is the best time to see the cliffs adorned with colourful flowers. Summer offers walks combined with sea swims and the woodlands are at their best in the autumn.

Centres

Mumbles is the largest town with a sweeping bay and has been been described as Wales’s version of Naples.

Difficulty

All the routes are low level and range from easy short strolls to long distance day walks. There are a few ascents to the top of Rhossili Down and Cefn Bryn but these are not that taxing. Route finding is generally straight forward.

Must See

Three Cliffs Bay is the standout picture-postcard scene with its ruined castle, estuary and sea arch. A trip out to Worms Head is an adventure that will not be forgotten.

Route summary table

INTRODUCTION

Geology

History

Wildlife habitats

Transport to and around Gower

Staying in Gower

Using this guide

GPX tracks

THE ROUTES

Walk 1 The Mumbles, Langland and Caswell

Walk 2 Caswell, Pwlldu and Bishopston Valley

Walk 3 Bishopston Valley

Walk 4 Pwlldu Head and Bishopston Valley

Walk 5 Pobbles, Three Cliffs Bay and Pennard Pill and Castle

Walk 6 Three Cliffs Bay, Pennard Pill, Ilston Cwm and Bishopston Valley

Walk 7 Pennard Pill, Three Cliffs Bay and Parc le Breos

Walk 8 Cefn Bryn, Broad Pool and Parc le Breos

Walk 9 Three Cliffs Bay, Tor Bay, Oxwich, Nicholaston Woods and Cefn Bryn

Walk 10 Millwood, Cefn Bryn, Reynoldston and Berry Wood

Walk 11 Penrice Castle, Cefn Bryn, Three Cliffs Bay and Oxwich NNR

Walk 12 Oxwich National Nature Reserve

Walk 13 Oxwich Point

Walk 14 Oxwich and Millwood

Walk 15 South Gower Cliffs and Port Eynon

Walk 16 Thurba Head and South Gower Cliffs

Walk 17 Rhossili Down, South Gower Cliffs and Port Eynon

Walk 18 Rhossili Down and Bay, Fall Bay and Mewslade Bay

Walk 19 Rhossili, Fall Bay and Mewslade Bay with Worms Head option

Walk 20 Rhossili Down, Llanmadoc Hill and Broughton Burrows

Walk 21 Gower Coast NNR, Rhossili Down and Hardings Down

Walk 22 Mewslade Bay, Fall Bay, Rhossili Down and Hardings Down

Walk 23 Llanmadoc Hill, Llangennith, Burry Holms and Broughton Bay

Walk 24 Llanmadoc Hill, Broughton Bay and Whiteford NNR

Walk 25 Whiteford National Nature Reserve

Walk 26 Landimore Marsh, Cheriton, Burry Pill and Weobley Castle

Walk 27 Landimore Marsh, Arthur’s Stone, Llanrhidian and Weobley Castle

Walk 28 Cefn Bryn, Llanrhidian and Weobley Castle

Walk 29 Llanrhidian and Weobley Castle

Walk 30 Llanrhidian, Cilifor Top, Parc le Breos and Cefn Bryn

Appendix A Local points of interest index

Appendix B Useful websites