Wales, a place where the English language doesn’t always sound quite like English (at least, I often struggled to understand it!) and where the grass somehow seems greener than green. Add a breathtaking coastline, rolling hills, and dramatic mountain scenery. It’s easy to see why this small country deserves a spot on any UK road trip. Hiking the Gower Coast was definitely on my to do list.
So, how did I end up here?
With a few days of sunshine in the forecast, I couldn’t resist making a quick detour into Wales. After spending plenty of time exploring cities and villages, it felt like the perfect opportunity to get outdoors again. After hiking the spectacular Gower Coast, I planned to continue north. I hoped to drive through the rugged landscapes of Snowdonia National Park. It promised the perfect mix of coastal walks, winding mountain roads, and some of the most beautiful scenery Wales has to offer.
WALES
My first stop in Wales was Chepstow Castle, perched above the River Wye near the English border. From there, I continued to Cardiff, the vibrant capital of Wales. Both were beautiful places to visit, but I had come to Wales for something else, its incredible landscapes.
After leaving my bicycle behind for a few days, it was finally time to stretch my legs. My destination was the Gower Coast, a stunning stretch of coastline near Swansea that forms part of the Wales Coast Path. The trail begins in the seaside village of The Mumbles and winds its way along dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, and hidden coves for around 74 km (46 miles) before reaching the town of Loughor. If you’re planning to hike the route, you’ll find an excellent trail overview online. On top of that, I also picked up some useful maps from my hotel near Swansea.
Rather than tackling the entire trail, I chose to start at the spectacular Three Cliffs Bay, planning a hike of around 20 km. It turned out to be the perfect introduction to one of the most beautiful coastlines in Wales.
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Hiking the Gower Coast
I parked my car near Three Cliffs Bay and set off on a leisurely hike along the coast.
The trail was easy to follow, with clear signposts guiding the way. Although there were a few different paths to choose from, they all eventually merged back together. It reminded me of a hike I had done in Poland the previous year. At the time, finding the correct trail had been considerably more challenging. After passing the stunning Three Cliffs Bay, I followed a path that disappeared into the woodland. This offered a refreshing change from the open coastline.
After a quick lunch break in Oxwich, I continued uphill onto the grassy plateau overlooking the bay. Before long, the trail descended once more to a narrow path that hugged the clifftops. This was undoubtedly the highlight of the hike. Towering limestone cliffs, the deep blue ocean, and vibrant green hills stretched as far as the eye could see. The landscape created one breathtaking panorama after another. Every turn along the path revealed a new view, making it impossible not to stop every few minutes to take it all in.
Read about my hike in Poland here – The Szlak Orlich Gniazd Trial. My 3 day hike.
I finished my hike in Port Eynon, where I caught the 118 bus back to my car in Parkmill. It was an easy and convenient way to complete this section of the Gower Coast without having to retrace my steps.
Tips for Hiking the Gower Coast
If I were planning this Gower Coast hike again, I would probably start in Oxwich and continue towards Rhossili, or even further along the Wales Coast Path. While the entire route is beautiful, I found the scenery beyond Oxwich to be the real highlight. The dramatic cliffs, sweeping coastal views, and rolling green hills made this stretch one of the most spectacular hikes I have done in Wales.
Overall, hiking the Gower Coast was one of the highlights of my trip while driving through Wales. Between the rugged coastline, peaceful beaches, and vibrant green landscapes, it’s easy to understand why the Gower Peninsula is considered one of the country’s most beautiful regions. Having perfect sunshine all day certainly helped—it reminded me of my hike to Trolltunga in Norway. There, I also seemed to arrive on the only sunny day of the week.
Almost as if Wales wanted to prove its reputation, the clouds rolled in just as I reached the end of the trail. My timing couldn’t have been better.
If you’re planning your own Gower Coast hike, make sure to bring plenty of water and enough snacks or a packed lunch. Food options along this section of the Wales Coast Path are limited, with most villages offering little more than small convenience stores and traditional fish and chip shops. If you prefer healthier hiking food, it’s worth packing everything you need before setting off.
Driving through Wales – Snowdonia National Park
After hiking the Gower Coast, I continued driving through Wales towards Snowdonia National Park, located in the northwest of the country. It is the largest national park in Wales. Moreover, it is one of its most beautiful regions.
There are countless hikes to enjoy here, including the climb to Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales at 1,085 metres. Unfortunately, I was short on time, and the sunshine had disappeared once again. Therefore, I decided to take the scenic A498 through the national park instead.
It was absolutely beautiful. Endless green valleys stretched out before me, while the mountains looked like giant green waves rolling into one another. Even though the weather wasn’t perfect, plenty of determined hikers were still making their way up the trails. After my hike along the Gower Coast, however, I was more than happy to experience this part of Wales from behind the wheel.
I stopped a few times along the way to admire the scenery and take some photos. Even without hiking, driving through Snowdonia was a fantastic experience and a memorable part of my Wales road trip.
And so…
And so, my journey through Wales continued. After leaving Snowdonia National Park, I followed the road towards Chester when I unexpectedly came across an impressive medieval castle. Naturally, I had to stop.
That stop turned out to be Conwy (or Conway in English), a charming little harbour town on the north coast of Wales. I’d never even heard of Conwy before, but it quickly became one of my favourite towns in the country. Surrounded by remarkably well-preserved medieval walls and dominated by its magnificent castle, it has an atmosphere that’s hard not to fall in love with. Sometimes, the best discoveries are the ones you never planned.
After a few days in beautiful Wales, it was time to return to England, exploring the areas of county Yorkshire. Read here – The south and east villages of England.
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