Gower Gold Overnighter

• When to go: The grassy singletrack will be at its best in late spring/summer (April to August). In mid-July, you’ll be able to see the sunflowers bloom on National Trust land at Rhossili. In August, the purple heather is spectacular on Rhossili Down. September would be a quieter time to visit, although the beaches here never get as busy with tourists as those in Devon and Cornwall, plus the sea temperature is likely to be at its warmest. Bear in mind that many of the campsites are seasonal, however (see Camping & Lodging for more information). Gower is also a good location to attempt to see bioluminescent plankton – a natural phenomenon where the water turns an incredible electric blue at night during the warmer months.
• Logistics: The route starts and finishes at Swansea railway station. Train operators have different bike policies, so it is always best to check if you need to book a space before buying your ticket (as far in advance as possible and at least 24 hours before you travel). Bike reservations are free but limited and are often limited to two bikes. However, Transport for Wales are launching six new cycle travel trains on its Heart of Wales line between Swansea and Shrewsbury. By summer 2025, there will be space for up to 12 bikes (including e-bikes) onboard.
• Warnings: The route passes two golf courses, Pennard Burrows Golf Course and Clyne Valley Golf Course. The bridleways on the latter can be hard to follow; check the GPX route closely here so you don’t get lost. The stepping stones across Pennard Pill can only be accessed on either side of low tide. Have a look when you get to Pennard Castle ruins, and use the inland bridleway instead if the stones are covered. The bracken can get quite high on Llanmadoc Hill in late summer. There may be some minor diversions along the seafront around The Mumbles due to ongoing sea defense work.
• Weather: Even on a brilliant forecast, the peninsula can be covered in thick coastal fog. The good news is that it usually disperses by the afternoon.
• Swimming: There are some great swimming spots along the route, but there are some strong rip currents in places. Check tide times and beach information before swimming. A number of the beaches on southern Gower are patrolled by lifeguards. Find details here.
• Access: Worm’s Head makes for a brilliant side trip if you time it right. You’ll have to leave your bike behind and head out on foot, though. It is only accessible for around two and a half hours on either side of low tide. Check time times before crossing and only attempt if there is sufficient time to return to the mainland so you don’t get stranded. You can visit the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) lookout station overlooking Worm’s Head for further advice.
• Useful guidebooks include Bikepacking Wales (Vertebrate Publishing, www.adventurebooks.com). Wild Swimming: Hidden Beaches (Wild Things Publishing), Wild Swimming Walks South Wales: 28 coast, river & waterfall days out (Wild Things Publishing)
• Local bike shops: The Bike Hub, Swansea. T: 01792466944; Essential Cycles Gower, Parkmill. T: 07968705282
• MAP/Navigation: It’s best to use Ordnance Survey mapping to help with navigation. You’ll either want the paper map of the area (OL164 Gower) or the Ordnance Survey app (£).

Although wild camping is broadly legal in Scotland, this is not the case in England or Wales. Wild camping is not permitted unless you have the permission of the landowner. However, a discreet camp is often possible, especially if you arrive late and leave early, camp high and off the beaten track, and well away from houses and farms. Wherever you pitch, remember that the landowner has the right to ask you to move on.

If you choose not to wild camp, there are many campsites along the route. Most sites on the peninsula are seasonal, and there are very few campsite options west of Oxwich Bay. You’ll likely need to book camping pitches well in advance in the summer and during school holidays and bank holidays.

• Hill End Camping Park, Llangennith. T: 01792386204
• Three Cliffs Bay Holiday Park, Penmaen. T: 01792371218
• Nicholaston Farm Caravan & Camp Site, Penmaen. T: 01792371209
• Eastern Slade Camp Site, Slade. T: 01792391374
• Greenways of Gower, Oxwich. T: 01792391203
• Kennexstone Camping & Touring Park, Llangennith. T: 01792386790
• YHA Port Eynon. T: 03453719135

The route is a lot less remote than it feels at times, with village shops, cafes, and pubs at regular intervals along the way to pick up supplies. There is an outside water tap available at the front of the National Trust Shop and Visitor Centre in Rhossili, next to the carpark and toilet block.

Some recommended places include:

• Gower Seafood Hut, Promenade Terrace, Mumbles (open seasonally from March to September)
• Pennard Stores and Post Office, Pennard. T: 01792233230
• Little Valley Bakery, Gower Heritage Centre. 01792371346
• The King Arthur Hotel, Reynoldston. T: 01792 390775
• The Lookout, Rhossili. T: 01792391696
• The Bay Bistro, Rhossili. T: 01792390519
• Kings Head Inn, Llangennith. T: 01792386212
• Eddy’s Restaurant, Hillend. T: 01792386606
• Britannia Inn, Llanmadoc. T: 01792386624
• Penmaen & Nicholaston Village Hall run a coffee and cake morning on the first Saturday of the month (10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) – access is through the gate in front of the row of houses by Tor Bay carpark.

Permissive Trails

• Make sure you follow the route carefully around Pennard Burrows golf course. The bridleway across the golf course has been diverted and the route follows a new permissive sandy bridleway around the edge of the golf course.
• The route also uses some trails around Rhossili Down which are included in the Gower Off-Road Cycle Network booklet Gower Off-Road Cycle Network booklet (promoted by Swansea Council)

Route alternatives

• The climb onto Rhossili Down is very steep, and the descent at the northern end isn’t straightforward either, especially without the ability to drop your saddle. If you want to give this a miss, take the alternative, low-level bridleway that follows the edge of Rhossili Bay instead. It’s a superb bit of singletrack.

Rideability

“Some of the best of cycling would be missed if one always had to be in the saddle or on a hard road/” —Wayfarer (1919)

• This route is ideal for a hardtail mountain bike, but many people have successfully ridden it on gravel bikes. Opt for low gearing if possible and wide enough tyres for some decent grip and comfort, although, as always, bike choice is very subjective and depends on your off-road riding experience, bike handling, and preferred riding style.
• Most of this route is rideable, and there are no significant hike-a-bike sections except for the push up onto Rhossili Down (avoidable). There is a short section of deep sand on the descent from Pennard Castle, stepping stones to navigate over Pennard Pill (again, avoidable), and some short-lived but rocky climbs out of Pwlldu Bay and Bishopston Valley – you can stay on the road between Bishopston and Southgate to miss out these climbs if needed, although this is a fairly busy B-road.
• The route includes some of the way-marked mountain biking trails in Clyne Valley Country Park. This section isn’t technical (it’s comparable to a blue grade at most Welsh trail centres), but you can miss it out by following the bridleway, which runs alongside the MTB trail down to the bottom of the valley. The Clyne Riders help develop and maintain the trails. To find out more and support their work, visit this Facebook group.