Walking on the Gower presents 30 circular day walks in the Gower Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), taking in the rich variety of landscapes across this beautiful area of South Wales. Ranging from 21/2 to 14 miles long, there are walks to suit all abilities. The peninsula is famous for its spectacularly steep, rugged coastline and perfect golden sand beaches but Walking on the Gower also takes walkers to the inland valleys, hills and ridges little explored by most holidaymakers. Route descriptions are illustrated with OS mapping extracts and inspiring photography and accompanied by a route summary table to help you choose walks to suit your location and ability. Along the way, the author provides a wealth of information on the plants, animals, geology, history and archaeology of a region with something for everyone, all within a compact area easily accessible from Swansea and Mumbles. Coastal areas such as those around Langland, Oxwich and Port Eynon are well frequented, but Walking on the Gower concentrates on places where walkers can escape the crowds to find peace and solitude in this exceptionally beautiful and unspoilt area.
Introduction
Geology
History
Wildlife habitats
Transport to and around Gower
Staying in Gower
Using this guide
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, 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, Horton 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
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, Cil Ifor Top, Parc le Breos and Cefn Bryn
Appendix A Walk summary table
Appendix B Index of information boxes
Appendix C Useful websites
Andy Davies has been a professional photographer for over 20 years and specialises in wildlife and landscape photography. He moved to West Wales in 1999 to be immersed in the environment which inspires. A former university lecturer, he now combines his love of photography and his passion for passing on skills to others in a series of photographic and video workshops in West Wales. He is also an external tutor for Aberystwyth University in outdoor and wildlife photography.