WALK 12: ACROSS CEFN BRYN TO PARKMILL

Cefn Bryn is Gower’s highest point. The walk is a long and gently rising or undulating bridle way with a steep descent at the east end; affording superb views of south Gower coast including Three Cliffs and Oxwich.

Map: OS Explorer 164 or Landranger 159

Distance: 3-4 miles, 5-6 kilometres; allow 2 hours

Terrain: Gently rising and undulating from the road summit to the main summit of Cefn Bryn with a fairly steep drop down with some metalled road around Penmaen and Parkmill.

Start: Cefn Bryn summit; map reference 493900

Bus there: Mondays to Saturdays: First Cymru 118 from Swansea three journeys daytime check bus times. First Cymru 115 or 118 from Rhossili and Port Eynon, up to seven journeys; alight Cefn Bryn between Reynoldston & Cilibion.
Sundays: No service.

Walk: The bus will stop on request at Cefn Bryn summit. You may wish to make a short walk to Arthur’s Stone  (0.3mi/0.5 km) then back to the main road, cross it and take the left hand bridle path (signposted) in an ESE direction. You will see a Gower Way marker stone to the left (no.9). Follow this track noting the apparent summit ahead only to find there is another, slightly higher ahead, and yet another until the highest point (188 m) is reached. From here, it is a fairly steep drop down to Penmaen. At Penmaen church, cross the main A4118 road and take a narrow road towards North Hills Farm; this becomes a footpath and turns left to drop down through Northill Wood (steep and rocky) to come out at the A4118 again. Carefully cross this road and make your way to Parkmill village through the Gower Heritage Centre car park and a narrow lane ending outside Shepherd’s shop.

Finish: Parkmill Shepherd’s Shop, map reference 544893

Facilities: Shepherd’s general store at Parkmill; toilets and catering at Gower Heritage Centre.

Bus back: Mondays to Saturdays: First Cymru 118 to Swansea or 117/118 to Port Eynon and Rhossili frequency approximately every 1-2 hours daytime. Sundays: No service; resumes spring 2012

Tickets: First Day Swansea Bay tickets valid from Swansea and Gower; Welsh concessionary bus pass holders travel free!