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.

Walking in Gower – Quick Facts

Guide name: Walking in Gower  
Location: Gower Peninsula, Wales  
Access: easy access from Swansea 
Total walks: 30 circular day walks 
Typical duration: 1–6 hours per walk 
Distance range: 5–21km (3–13 miles) per walk 
Walk type: Varied day walks — coastal paths, headland circuits, ridge walks and inland countryside routes 
Navigation: Most use waymarked routes like the Wales Coast Path; 1:25,000 OS mapping and detailed route descriptions in the guidebook; downloadable GPX files available 
Difficulty: Routes suitable for a range of abilities
Terrain: Limestone cliffs, sandy beaches, salt marshes, open moorland, rolling farmland and wooded valleys 
Highlights: Rhossili Bay, Three Cliffs Bay, Worm's Head, Cefn Bryn, and sections of the Wales Coast Path 
Best season: Year-round walking; spring and summer for wildflowers and coastal colour, autumn for quieter trails and big skies; windy conditions possible on exposed cliffs in winter

Author Highlight

“Justifiably selected in 1956 as the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the Gower peninsula is known for its spectacularly steep, rugged coastline and picture-perfect golden sandy beaches. But there is much more to Gower and the 30 circular routes described here will also take readers into the little-explored valleys, hills and ridges found inland. Many of the routes combine a section of coastal path, which may visit a secluded cove or wide-sweeping beach, with a ridge offering stunning panoramic views or with a tranquil stream valley. All avoid road-walking wherever possible."

- Andy Davies, author of Walking in Gower

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

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.

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