The Gower peninsula was in 1957, the first area in Britain to be designated an area of outstanding natural beauty. Not much has changed, this ride takes you along the spine of the Gower - Cefn Bryn over two further hills Rhossili Down and Llanmadoc Down before a return climb and descent on Cefn Bryn. The whole route, which will take around 4-5 hours, is found on Landranger 159 Swansea and Gower.
You can either start at the car park at the Gower Inn (SS553892) which gives an extra tarmac climb and singletrack descent, or at the car park at the foot of Cefn Bryn at Penmaen (SS527886) which provides a slightly shorter (approximately 5km) ride.
If starting at the Gower Inn ride along the road (A4118) turning right after about 2.5km to the start at Penmaen. Head up the hill for a short distance before turning left on to the obvious track for the first bite of off road dirt. Carry on along the track for a short steep climb that gets steeper towards the top. Once over the crest the hill flattens out, follow the ridge for around 3km when a road interrupts the track. Cross the road and continue along the ridge, keeping a small pond to your right. After a short distance the track starts to descend, about 2kms further on a steep grassy track will be present to the right - take this and head down to a cottage and gravelled track, watch out for the ditch at the bottom though. You should now be at (SS472909).
Now after crossing a cattle grid head follow minor roads, go straight at the cross roads and at the next junction turn left, to the church at Llandewi (SS460891). At the church turn right and ride through farmyard following way marked route. Once past the farmyard this section can be muddy, but once through the fields better trails are found. Continue to follow the way marked trail until you reach the road at Middleton. Turn right on to the B4247 and head towards Rhossili. You can refuel at Rhossili (2 cafes and a pub) or carry straight on.
At Rhossili you have two choices either to climb Rhossili Down and to enjoy its excellent steep grassy descent or to follow the base of the hill for a route with more singletrack. Either way both routes start at the gate used by hang gliders (SS416883) and meet at Hillend (SS417907).
Once at Hillend follow the road towards Llangennith, turn right at the cross roads. Follow the road through the village (pub on the left surf shop on the right) and climb for a short while on the road before the next offroad section. This is found on the left pretty much at the top of the short road climb, go through a gate and head along a landrover track towards the top of the hill. Once at the top head down in an easterly direction on a grassy track, you should cross an old hill fort riding over the old embankments. After this you will eventually come across a gravelled track follow this around a hairpin before heading off this track, left down a steep bank on to the road (SS448927).
When you touch the tarmac turn left heading towards Llanmadoc, taking the first right going through Cheriton. Continue on the road up the hill and after about 1km turn right on to a bridleway. Follow this down to the river, crossing the river on a small bridge. Once over the river climb a steep hill, then turn left after a short way and ride parallel with the hill before descending back on to the road. Once on the road turn left then right, and finally left until you are at the cattle grid (SS472909) at the bottom of Cefn Bryn.
From here retrace your steps over Cefn Bryn, what was a great descent becomes a hard slog for now tired and weary legs. But the short steep first climb becomes an imperious loose rocky descent that rounds the ride off if you parked at Penmaen. If however you parked at the Gower Inn turn left on to the A4118 and take the first right towards the campsite, go over the cattle grid in to the farmyard (SS535886). To the right you will see a lane leading from the farmyard take this and follow. The lane starts off grassy until a gate is reached after the gate the lane changes to a steep rocky track. Once at the bottom turn right on to the A4118 and ride back to the Gower Inn.
Last Updated 23-10-2001
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