Day two of the Gower Super Challenge walk
Day two of a two-day walk on the stunning Gower peninsula by travel journalist Mark Rowe. The walk route is intended as a guide only; you may well discover your own. Sensible walking gear, a map and a compass are essential.
Map
Start:
Rhossili grid ref: SS416880
1
From Rhossili take the coast path along headland above Mewslade Bay, Red Chamber, The Knave and Foxhole Slade.
2
Follow the coast path sign south, down the valley to Overton Cliff. Bear left along the path, following the coast path to the Gower monument on top of Port-Eynon Point.
3
Follow the coast path through Horton (there's no footpath up from the eastern end of Port-Eynon Bay), above The Sands and on to Oxwich Point.
4
Keep to the outer path around Oxwich Point, which, on its eastern side, leads uphill through woods. Follow this path before dropping down long staircase and past St Illtyd's Church.
5
Cross the bay. At high tide you'll need to pick up the coast path behind Nicholaston Burrows via the bridge (grid ref. SS874518). Otherwise, walk in front of Little Tor and climb the path to the clifftop from the cove. At the top, drop down, heading north, to the beach.
6
At low tide you can walk across Three Cliffs Bay, otherwise you'll need to climb the steep path to Notthill and then drop down the beach and cross via the stepping stones. Scramble up the dunes on the other side and follow paths towards the headland above Pobbles Beach and east again, keeping well to the south of the golf course.
Three Cliffs Bay
Three Cliffs Bay was declared Britain's best beach in 2006 by the BBC programme Holidays at Home. The cliffs are popular with climbers and you can often see surfers in the water.
7
Follow the headland path past Fox Hole and on to Pwll Du Head. The path contours around the top of the head and drops steeply down and up to Pennard Farm. Follow the lane downhill from the farm and bear right in front of house, through woodlands to Pwll Du Bay.
Pwll Du Bay
The sheltered bay of Pwll Du was once a favoured location for smugglers as they would quickly disappear up into the wooded valley and out of sight.
8
Head up the valley, keeping to the left bank. The trails are muddy here, sometimes indistinct, but soon become clear again. Follow paths first for Bishopston and Kittle, then for the church. You also need to watch out for occasional guzzle holes, where you may suddenly find yourself waist-deep, though you can usually feel for these as you go along. The water is often too muddy to see to the bottom, but keep to the sides and you should be OK. If you don't fancy the river walk, where the river first disappears, and you walk on the dry bed, take any of the signposted tracks for Bishopston (grid ref. SS576888) via Longash Farm.
Guzzle hole
As you make your way up the valley, keep your eyes and ears open for the large guzzle hole where the stream can be heard rushing deep below ground, before re-emerging above ground further down the valley.
End:
Bishopston, grid ref: SS578893