Gower Peninsula Bank Holiday - Hiking and Swimming

Dive into the rugged beauty and remoteness of the Gower peninsula with miles of diverse coastline to explore. Designated the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty back in 1956, Gower’s protected landscape has thankfully changed little ever since.  

We’ve lined up a couple of superb and dramatic coastal hikes along some of the best beaches in Britain. Add to those a National Nature reserve, truly spectacular cliffs, Europe’s 3rd best beach and a ruined castle and we’re surely in for a memorable weekend.  

In fact, Rhossili Beach is consistently voted one of the TOP TEN BEACHES IN THE WORLD, let us show you why: https://www.google.com/search?q=rhossili+beach+best&oq=rhossili+beach+best 

Come along and experience Gower Peninsula’s unbeatable charm and beauty!  

Enjoy the Gower Peninsula with a max of 15 people and travel is also arranged for you!

Trip Highlights:

• Stay in the centre of Swansea town allowing for some free exploring of an extra area. More bang for your buck!

• Hike through the Gower Coast National Nature Reserve with its tidal island of Worms Head and Rhossili Down - the highest point on the Gower peninsula (196m)

• See the ruins of the majestic Pennard Castle built in the 12th century

• Explore a remote and rugged stretch of coast from Port Eynon to Rhossili

• Hike to breathtaking Rhossilli beach - one of the top beaches in Europe • Hike out to the tidal Worms Head Island (tide permitting)

• Swim in the ocean

Walk the Gower Peninsula, Britain’s first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Explore trails that take you along sand dunes and towering grassy cliff tops, through woods, charming villages and past hidden coves, Iron Age promontory forts and Medieval castles.

That’s why we’re exploring the Gower Peninsula in traditional Mudafacas style - through spectacular hikes and viewed from the hiking trails.

Saturday, Sunday and Monday will be exhilarating hikes through landscapes ranging from dramatic and rugged cliffs to long and dreamy sandy beaches. We’ll explore the sanctuary for rich wildlife, habitats and the historical sights of Gower while surrounded by awe-inspiring coastal, hill, woodland and clifftops scenery.

ITINERARY

Saturday

Meet at 8:45 am  

Outside of 12 Blacks Road

London Hammersmith - W6 9EU

Depart immediately

Drive 4 hours with one or two service station stop

Go straight for a hike

Sunday's hike:

Oxwich Bay to Pennard Castle

Distance: 8 miles (12km)

Ascent: 370m

Grading: Intermediate, two main tiring hills

Hiking time: About 3 to 4 hours of actual hiking

We explore a picturesque section of the coast.

Accompanied by the deep blue waters of the Atlantic, we’re off on an 8 miles hike through the rich sand dunes Nature Reserve of Oxwich and Nicholaston Burrows.

Our hike will take us past cliffs and heavenly beaches to eventually reach the hidden valley with the ruins of Pennard Castle. Perched high over the stunning Three Cliffs Bay and Penmaen Burrows, this 12th-century castle is considered one of the most picturesque ruins on the Gower Peninsula making it a perfect stop for packed lunch.

Check-in at our hostel

Sunday

Option of 2 lengths and difficulty levels

Rhosilli Bay, Stormy Castle and Worms Head

9 miles - moderate (wait for the group at the beach)

Ascent 200 metres

6 hours

or

12 miles - hard

Steep inclination

Ascent 400 metres

8 hours

A splendorous hike that will allow you to experience the very best of the Gower Peninsula with beaches, Welsh moors, crags, hidden bays and the famous Worms Head which can only be crossed at low tide.

Both options of hikes will offer you all of this, and the longer hike will take you over the highest point of the region.

This hike begins and ends near a beach where we can opt to go for a swim if the time allows.

If the weather is extra nice. we will have a beach pit fire and barbecue for dinner.

Sunday will be a memorable hike in one of the most spectacular areas in Wales rewarding us with stunning and varied coastal landscapes.

Monday

Free morning until 2 pm at Swansea before we drive back to London to arrive by 8 pm, traffic permitting

FEE

£288 shared room - per person per bed

ACCOMMODATION

Shared room in bunked at a hostel in the centre of Swansea. Single Gender.

INCLUDED IN FEE

- Travel in a minibus

- 2 nights hostel accommodation

- Guided hikes with a super-experienced and qualified leader

- New awesome friends

- Introduction to a community of people who meet mid-week for free social nights

NOT INCLUDED

- Meals

- Travel Insurance

- Anything else not above

WHAT TO BRING 

- Your hot body (it can be cold too, as long as it still works) - A waterproof jacket - Sports clothes - Hiking shoes or strong trainers

- Swimming wear just in case :-)

- Clothes for the evenings 

- A backpack for your things  

ATTENTION: 

1 - It is your responsibility to ensure you check messages on this event and private messages sent to you before the trip starts and up to the morning of the trip. On occasions, meeting location, time and other details might have to be changed and the event could also be cancelled last minute. 

2 - As with any road trip, there is a chance of heavy traffic, accidents and break-downs which could force us to skip parts of the trip, or stop it completely.

3- By signing up for our trips you agree to our Terms and Conditions: https://www.hikingnation.co.uk/termsandconditions