You would be forgiven for thinking that the Gower Walking Festival comprised exclusively walks on the Gower Peninsula, but that’s not actually the case. In addition to several urban walks in Swansea city, we also have three fabulous walks that are within the pre-Norman conquest “Lordship of Gower” – a bit outside the area normally thought of as Gower.
On Monday 7th September we will explore the Middle Swansea Valley, with a beautifully varied 6-mile circular route, from the car park of walk sponsor Dynamic Rock in Clydach (about 6 miles north of Swansea city centre), heading out along the Swansea Canal Heritage Trail to Trebanos, through peaceful woodland and returning along the Lower Clydach River valley.
In addition, the Festival includes two walks in the Lliw Valley – about 8 miles north of the city centre – in an area with a real sense of remoteness that belies its proximity to Swansea and the M4. Lliw Reservoirs – Views & History walk, also on Monday 7th September, is centred around the two Lliw reservoirs that were built to provide Swansea with water. The 8-mile route takes in a nature trail, waterside and woodland paths, fields and steady ascents to open moorland that (weather permitting) offers fine views to Gower and Bannau Brycheiniog.
Meanwhile, the Lliw Reservoirs & Mynydd y Gwair walk on Thursday 10th September will moves from water-side paths into open moorland above the upper reservoir, following tracks and farm roads towards the wilder foothills of Mynydd y Gwair ultimately reaching the summit (373m above sea level) with its sweeping panoramic views across the Swansea Valley, towards Ammanford, and Bannau Brycheiniog in the distance. This 7-mile walk has been sponsored by The Fab Company.
Information and tickets for all walks are available here.
