There are three National Nature Reserves (Oxwich Bay, Gower Coast and
Whiteford Burrows) as well as a large number of local reserves. Although
generally low-lying, Gower has a number of areas of open access hill
land and is the location of two long distance walking routes, the Gower
Way and the Wales Coast Path.
Coastal scenery – beaches and cliff top paths – features strongly in
this guide, with several of Gower’s nature reserves being located on the
coast. The coastline varies considerably, with rocky limestone cliffs,
outcrops and small beaches to the south; the long sandy beaches of
Rhossili and Whiteford to the west; the salt marshes and tidal flats of
the Burry inlet and River Loughor to the north,
The hills of the peninsula, as well as offering a range of great views,
have prehistoric sites, wells, church and castle sites, as well as local
nature reserves. Riverside and woodland walks lead into some of the
more secluded parts of the area, taking in other nature reserves and
passing historic and prehistoric features of interest. A number of walks
centre around the Gower Heritage Centre at Parkmill, near the middle of
the AONB.
The individual walks are mostly easy or moderate, with the majority
fairly short, although many can be combined into longer routes. This
guide can also be used as a basis for planning several linear routes,
using buses.
It’s a superb and varied, but surprisingly compact, area.
