The Gower Peninsula is a stumpy lump of rock that sticks out of the south coast of Wales just to the left of Swansea. It is an area of outstanding national beauty which is famed for its surf. When there's a swell, the breaks are packed as Swansea's surf population paddles out in the hope of some quality tube time. However, if the waves are flat, its time for some riding of a different kind.
How to get there..
- Car: Get off the M4 at J47, follow the A4118 until it becomes a beach.
- Rail: Swansea or Gowerton will do nicely
- Accommodation: Tons of cheap B&B joints and campsites.
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O.S. Map: Landranger 159
The ride...
Get yourself to the car park at the Worms Head visitor centre, a good place if you want some info about where you are. There's a blow hole at Worms Head which, in my opinion, is the best place to begin any sort of ride. Trust me, she'll thank you for it. Anyway, From the car park, head up north onto 'The Beacon' of Rhossili Downs (on your bike, leave the car in the car-park). Its a steep climb, but you get some cool views from the top. Follow the bridleway along the Rhossili Downs ridge which leads into a stunning descent into Hillend. you can go along the beach to get there, but if you do then your a bit of a pansy.
From Hillend, skirt around the ridge to climb Hardings Down (OS 437905). A nice little hill with a bridleway going right over the top of it. Down the other side is a grassy single track affair leading to a very flat red gravel service road. Get off the red stuff and hang a quick right-left combo across 200 yards of tarmac. Head north over Llanmadoc hill where there are a load of bridleways to choose from, most of which should get you into the village of Llanmadoc. Stop for a couple of pints.
Alrighty then, follow the road east if you fancy a glance at Weobley castle, if not stop at Landimore and find the road to Kittlehill, this will get you onto a bridleway which will drop down into the Burry Pill valley. Follow landrover tracks up and along to the other side of the valley. Another left-right tarmac incident send you to the doors of Fairyhill hotel. No fairies, but there is a hill.
Climb straight this long hill up the back of the ridge which stretches all the way to the Gower south coast. At the top of the climb, the west end of the ridge, you get to Arthur's Stone Burial Chamber. From here you can see where you've been riding all day and where you can go next.
The front of the ridge stretches off to a higher peak and then disappears down the best descent of the ride. The tail end of the ridge is steep as hell and chucks you down to the coastal village of Penmaen.
To get back to the car, Either head back over the ridge, bagging the long descent from Arthur's Stone to Fairyhill, then via Burry and its cool standing stones. At Llanddewi there is a flattish bridleway back to Rhossili. Alternatively, you can take the road option from Penmaen to Knelston, then the bridleway to Worms Head.
Other stuff to do:
If your also into surfing, the Gower is as close as you can get to heaven without having to leave Wales. The breaks are pretty crowded in the height of summer, but that goes to make the night life good. If your an MTB'r who wants to learn to surf, give Llangennith a try. PJ's will hire you out a board and suit, his shop is right next to the "Kings Head", which is one of the best pubs on this planet!
Article written by April 1999
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