Walks in Gower and the Valleys
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The variety of walking opportunities around the local coastline or along the valleys and hills is probably unrivalled anywhere else in Wales. All shown here are easily reached by bus from Swansea. Where the walks come back to the same point, then the same bus services are to be used both ways; where there is a linear walk, both outward and return bus services are shown.
The linear walks are also equally accessible for those coming by car; either park at the end point and take a bus to the start of the walk and walk back to your car or vice-versa. The great advantage is to obviate the need for cars to be positioned at each end saving time and trouble!
Gower
Pennard Cliffs, Pwll Du & Bishopston Valley an interesting and varied walk along open top cliff tops, past secluded coves and through a sheltered, wooded, limestone valley; moderate with some steep sections. Options are a circular walk of 4 mi/6½ km or linear walk of 4 mi/7.2km. Bus 14 from Swansea Bus Station alighting at Pennard Cliffs; on linear walk, return on Bus 14 from Kittle. No service Sundays & BHM.
Three Cliffs Bay & Pennard Cliffs: Three Cliffs Bay is one of Gower’s most iconic locations and this walk takes one down to Pennard Pill and the bay, ascending to a walk along rugged cliff tops giving expansive views towards Oxwich Point and across to north Devon on a clear day; ending up at Pennard Cliffs and its excellent coffee shop. Linear walk 2½ mi/4 km, moderate with steep sections. Buses 117 or 118 from Swansea Bus Station, alighting at Penmaen Church; return by Bus 14 from Pennard Cliffs.
Rhossili Down: lying at the westerly tip of Gower, Rhossili Down this walk is along a high sandstone ridge providing a backdrop to the stunning 3 mile long golden sands of Rhossili beach; moderate with some steep sections. Circular walk of 5 mi/8 km. Bus 118 from Swansea Bus Station, alighting at Rhossili Terminus.
Whiteford Burrows National Nature Reserve [pdf]: this walk takes you along the sandy peninsula in the north western corner of Gower, looking out over the Loughor Estuary towards Burry Port. Llanrhidian Marshes to the east is an internationally important feeding ground for wading birds and wildfowl; a circular walk of 5 mi/8 km, easy/moderate. Bus 115 from Swansea Bus Station, alighting at Llanmadoc Terminus. No service Sundays & BHM.
Worm’s Head, Rhossili [pdf]: a short circular walk easy/moderate taking in stunning views of Worm’s Head and the local coastline around Rhossili. Bus 118 from Swansea Bus Station, alighting at Rhossili Terminus.
Buses: Gower
Swansea Valley
Pontardawe, Cwm Du Glen Walk: hidden from, but close to, the town centre, this 2¼ mi/3½ km or 2¾ mi/4½ km (two variations) walk is an absolute delight with its deep wooded ravine and cascading waterfalls; easy to moderate, wet and steep in places. Bus X20 or X25 from Swansea Bus Station, alighting at Pontardawe Interchange.
Swansea Canal Walk, Pontardawe to Godre’r Graig: an easy and attractive 2½mi/4km mile walk each way largely through open countryside and for the last mile is a local nature reserve. Bus X20 or X25 from Swansea Bus Station, alighting at Pontardawe Interchange.
Buses: Neath Port Talbot Area
Vale of Neath
Neath Canal Walks from Clyne or Resolven; two easy and attractive walks along different sections of the restored canal. Weekdays Bus X5 from Swansea Bus Station; Sundays & BHM Bus X5 direct at 1035 or Bus 158 changing at Neath.
Scwd Gwladus Walk, Pontneddfechan; an easy 2½ mi/4km there and back walk alongside the Nedd Fechan River to one of the Vale’s most attractive waterfalls, also other waterfall walks. Sundays & BHM Bus X5 direct at 1035 or Bus 158 changing at Neath and alighting at Pontneddfechan Waterfalls Centre.
Buses: Neath Port Talbot Area
Afan Valley and Port Talbot
Afan Forest Rhyslyn Walk:
a circular walk of 3½ mi/5 km through the forested slopes above the Afan Valley returning partly along a former mineral railway trail; moderate grade. Alternative options are to continue to Cymmer following the former R&SB railway trail which is a level, easy walk; 4½ mi/7 km. Weekdays Bus 23 with connection from Swansea Bus Station on Bus X3 alighting at Pontrhydyfen Oakwood; return Bus 23 from Afan Forest Park Centre or Cymmer Interchange. Sundays & BHM: Bus 159 with connection from Swansea Bus Station via Neath on Bus 158. Parking is available at Rhyslyn, close to bus stop at Oakwood; take Buses 23 or 159 to Afan Forest Park Centre or Cymmer Interchange and do the walk in reverse.
Afan Woodland Walk: one of a number of circular walks from the Afan Forest Visitor Centre taking you through deep mixed woodland (1½ mi/2½ km) moderate grade. Weekdays Bus 23 with connection from Swansea Bus Station on Bus X3 alighting at Afan Forest Park Centre; return from same stop on Bus 23; Sundays & BHM Bus 159 with connection from Swansea Bus Station via Neath on Bus 158.
Glyncorrwg Ridgeway Walk: one of a number of circular walks from the Glyncorrwg Ponds Visitor Centre taking in the steep mountainside, partly forested, above Glyncorrwg; 3½ mi/5km moderate/strenuous grade. Bus 23 with connection from Swansea Bus Station on Bus X3 alighting at Glyncorrwg Bridge St; return from same stop on Buses 32 or 36; Sundays & BHM Bus 159 with connection from Swansea Bus Station via Neath on Bus 158.
Margam Park Walks: the 800 acres of Margam Park provides the perfect backdrop for a walk in the country and there are four self-guided way-marked trails, each colour coded, starting from outside the Visitor Centre. Ranging from 1½ mi/2.5 km to 3½ mi/5.5 km in length and from easy (Craig-y-Lodge Trail) through moderate (Pulpit Trail, Monastic Trail) to strenuous (Cwm Philip Trail). A walks booklet is available from the main entrance kiosk or the shop. Bus X1 from Swansea Bus Station, alighting at Margam Park Main Gates; return from same stop.
Goytre to Bryn Walk, Port Talbot: a very pleasant, level walk (3½ mi/5.5 km) through a deep wooded valley followed by a short stretch of open countryside with mountain views. Bus 66 from Swansea Bus Station, alighting at Goytre Terminus; return to Swansea on Bus X3 from Bryn Royal Oak.
Parking is available at the Aberafan Centre, adjacent to Port Talbot Bus Station; take Bus 66 to Goytre and return on Bus X3 from Bryn. No service Sundays & BHM.
Buses: Neath Port Talbot Area
Longer walks
The Gower Way: Penmaen-Gowerton: this is the mid sector of the 35 mi/ 56km linear walk between Rhossili and Penlle’r Castell in Swansea’s Mawr area. Walk it in either direction taking the bus there or back. Bus 118 at Penmaen and Bus 116 at Gowerton; connections between the two at Killay. Parking is available in Swansea City Centre, close to the Bus Station. Outward on Bus 118 and return on Bus 116.
No service Sundays & BHM.
Sarn Helen Roman Road: this is a fine upland ridge walk with excellent, wide views towards the Brecon Beacons to the north and open views to the west, south and east; (10½mi/15.5km), moderate/strenuous. This is a walk for seasoned ramblers, fully equipped for all weathers. Walk directions and transport details >>
Coelbren to Craig y Nos: this walk beginning at the edge of the Dulais Valley soon leads into the stunning beauty of Henrhyd Falls and Nant-llech valley, before following the spectacular Upper Swansea valley to beautiful Craig-y-Nos Country Parks with its memories of a Victorian operatic super-star. This is a walk for seasoned ramblers, fully equipped for all weathers. Bus X63 Mondays to Saturdays from Swansea Bus Station, alighting at Coelbren Terminus; return to Swansea on Bus X63 from Craig-y-Nos Castle. Parking available in Ystradgynlais; take Bus X63 from Ystradgynlais Cross to Coelbren, returning from Craig-y-Nos as above.
Waterfall Country: this walk takes in many of the spectacular waterfalls in this part of the Brecon Beacons National Park. From Pontwalby or Pontneddfechan, the route follows the Mellte and Hepste rivers upstream before crossing over and returning down the Nedd Fechan valley. This is a walk for seasoned ramblers, fully equipped for all weathers. Walk directions and transport details >>
Tonmawr to Blaengwynfi: this walk provides a perfect introduction to the dramatic Afan Valley and demonstrates the amazing ‘renaturing’ of former industrial areas into a magnificent countryside of mountain and forest; 7½mi/12km moderate/strenuous grade. This is a walk for seasoned ramblers, fully equipped for all weathers. Bus 159 with connection from Swansea Bus Station via Neath on Bus X5 alighting at Tonmawr; return on Buses 23 or 159 from Blaengwynfi.
Bryn to Margam Park Walk: a 7½mi/12km walk along the hillsides and forest above Maesteg and Port Talbot and a dramatic route into Margam Park. Taking in the southern section of the 36 miles long Coed Morgannwg Way to finish in one of the loveliest Country Parks in South Wales, where there should be time to explore some of its many attractions and enjoy refreshment before your return bus. This is a walk for seasoned ramblers, fully equipped for all weathers. Bus X3 from Swansea Bus Station alighting at Bryn Royal Oak; return from Margam Park Main Gates to Swansea on Bus X1. No service Sundays & BHM.
Melincourt to Glyncorrwg: this steep cross-mountain walk links the Neath and Corrwg valleys, starting near the magnificent Melincourt Falls then over the summit of Cefn Mawr with its hill top wind turbines, before descending through an area of magnificent forest into Glyncorrwg. This is a walk for seasoned ramblers, fully equipped for all weathers. Walk directions and transport details >>