Gower Peninsula - Hiking and Swimming

ATTENTION - OUR MINIBUS IS NOW FULL, BUT YOU CAN STILL BOOK THIS TRIP IF YOU CAN FIND YOUR OWN TRANSPORTATION

For this Bank Holiday, we have something really special - our Gower trip but with an extra day, we will visit the Brecon Beacons and do a new hike coming in from the South.  

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!  

Trip Highlights:  

• Extended 3 night Bank Holiday SPECIAL trip 

• 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

• Visit the Welsh Waterfalls Trail in the Brecon Beacons

• Walk behind a waterfall  Weekend Description  

There’s no way to fully appreciate Gower’s natural beauty, history and geology unless you take on one of the numerous footpaths which run across this stunning piece of rugged countryside. 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 being surrounded by awe-inspiring coastal, hill, woodland and clifftops scenery.  

ITINERARY 

Friday 26th August 

18:00 Meet at London Hammersmith - W6 9EU

Depart immediately

Drive 4 hours with one service station stoop for dinner

Check in our hostel  

Saturday 27th August 

Option of 2 lengths and difficulty levels

Rhosilli Bay, Stormy Castle and Worms Head

Length - 9 miles - moderate (wait for the group at a pub while we walk back to the minibus)

Ascent - 200 metres

Distance - 6 hours

Length -12 miles - hard

Ascent - 400 metres with Steep inclination

Distance - 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 at a lovely pub where we can opt to dine or go back straight to our hostel.  

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

This stretch of coast is rugged, wild and remote - mostly owned by the National Trust. This craggy coastline is a mixture of dramatic and towering cliffs interspersed with picture-postcard sandy beaches.  We'll hike through the Gower Coast National Nature Reserve which consists of the tidal island of Worms Head and the Rhossili Down - the highest point on the Gower peninsula (196m). 

We’ll also pass the spectacular Fall Bay Cliff and hike the Gower way to reach Rhossili Beach - regularly on the best beach in the world lists.  

Sunday 28th August  

Sunday's hike: Oxwich Bay to Pennard Castle 

Length - 8 miles (12km) 

Ascent - 370m 

Grading - Intermediate, two main tiring hills 

Distance - About 3 to 4 hours of actual hiking  

We explore another picturesque section of the coast. 

Accompanied by the deep blue waters of the Atlantic, we’re off to 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 lunch.  

Monday 29th August  

Monday's hike: Brecon Beacons Waterfalls 

Length - 6/8 miles (10 to 12km) 

Grading - Intermediate, a few hills to climb 

Distance - About 4 hours  

Today we head into the Brecon Beacons for a waterfall walk through a deep and rich wooded valley, where we'll get to go behind a waterfall. 

After the hike we drive back to London to arrive by 8 pm, traffic permitting

 

FEE 

£215 shared room - per person per bed

£283 single room

£58 BUS TICKET

We have separated the minibus fee in case anyone wants to self-drive.

INCLUDED IN FEE

- 3 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