The Gower Peninsula is known for its coastal walks. I offer guided walks based around the famous Gower beaches: Caswell Bay, Langland, Pwll Du, Three Cliffs, Oxwich, Port Eynon Bay, Mewslade, Rhossili, Llangenith, and Whiteford Sands with its famous lighthouse. These walks are perfect for local residents, UK visitors on staycation, and overseas visitors.
Rhossili frequently tops polls as one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. From the National Trust car park in Rhossili village we climb Rhossili Down, a favourite spot for hanggliding and paragliding, and take in the spectacular views over Worm’s Head. This is the highest point on Gower. We’ll then proceed inland over Llangenith Moors to Broughton Burrows and along the coast to Bluepool. We’ll follow the coastal path along to Burry Holmes, and back along the beach to Rhossili where we can relax with an ice cream or a cool beer.
From the popular Oxwich beach we’ll explore the hinterland in the beautiful Penrice estate, climbing to the pretty village of Reynoldstone and stopping for refreshments at the King Arthur Hotel. Then we’ll walk along the backbone of Gower, Cefn Bryn, with its spectacular, 360-degree views. We’ll take a short detour at the top to visit the Neolithic burial chamber Arthur’s Stone before descending via Nicholaston Burrows to Oxwich beach.
We’ll have the choice of returning via the beach or walking through the Oxwich Nature Reserve on the Wales Coastal Path. A less strenuous version (5 miles) omits the climb and focuses on the beautiful Penrice estate, Nicholaston Woods and the Oxwich Nature Reserve. A swim and a drink would be the perfect ending.
The coast from Mumbles to Caswell Bay via Langland Bay is rocky and spectacular. The coastal path on this stretch has been made very accessible but there are also upper paths with even more stupendous views between each beach. From Bracelet Bay, Mumbles, we take the higher route, along and down to the popular family beach Langland. Then we ascend again and skirt the golf course as far as the beautiful Caswell Bay. Time for coffee or some chips and to view the Surfability building made famous by DIY SOS before returning on the main lower path to our starting point by the Mumbles lighthouse. There are glorious sea views all the way, towards Somerset in the south and along the coast towards Pembrokeshire to the west.
The two legs of this walk could be done independently. The lower path from Bracelet Bay to Langland is wheelchair-friendly. There are cafés at every stop.
The Gower Peninsula was the first area in the UK to be designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, back in 1956. It has kept its unspoiled appeal. The peninsula is nineteen miles long and the Gower coastal path stretches the entire way at thirty nine miles. The south coast has steep cliffs and sandy beaches and is very popular with families. The dramatic Rhossili and Llangenith beaches at the western end are famous with surfers and campers. The northern side of Gower is quieter and consists of villages, moorland and salt marshes – home of the famous salt marsh lamb.
