How to Book

What you need to know – our terms & conditions

As part of the booking process, you will be asked that you agree to the following:

All participants in the Gower Walking Festival do so at their own risk and are advised to take out their own personal insurance. GWF does not accept responsibility for walkers’ safety or personal property while taking part in the walking festival.

Walk costs & refunds

The cost of the walk or event is to cover our administrative costs, insurance for the events, and the TicketSource booking fee. Bookings are non-refundable unless we are forced to cancel an event, in which case a full refund will be given to all participants of that event. The Gower Walking Festival is organised on a not-for-profit basis, and any surplus will go towards improving the Festival in the future.

Meeting points & start times

Walk meetings points are indicated by the START marker on each walk’s webpage. Both the grid and what3words references are also on the webpage. Please check your start location in advance of the walk.

Walks will start promptly at start time. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU ARRIVE AT LOCATION AT LEAST 15 MINUTES BEFORE WALK START TO ALLOW TIME FOR REGISTRATION. Many, but not all, walks are circular (returning to the start point) – check the webpage for each walk for further details.

All distances and duration of walks are approximate.

Late bookings

Online bookings close eighteen hours before the walk start.  If you have not pre-booked by then, and wish to go on a walk, you should email the festival organisers at info@gowerwalkingfestival.uk as soon as possible. As spaces are limited, we cannot guarantee you will be able to go on the walk. If you turn up at start point, and have not pre-paid, and there is space, you will be able to walk. Please note that we can only accept cash payment.

Buses & parking

Where available, we have provided details of bus route numbers from Swansea Quadrant Bus Station to the start of walks. Please check with transport service providers before setting out as services and times are subject to changes – sometimes at short notice.

Car drivers should park sensibly, with consideration for local residents and businesses, and secure their car, with no valuables showing. Where available, we have also provided details car parks close to the start point. 

Emergency contacts, medical conditions & fitness

All walkers will need to supply an emergency contact phone number at the time of booking, and this is also to be written on the wrist band provided to all participants at the start of each walk.

Please inform the walk leader if you have a pre-existing medical condition or allergy of which he/she should be aware and for which you are carrying medication e.g. diabetes.

There will be one first aid kit provided for each walk. Many of our walk leaders and back markers have walk leader and/or First Aid training.

If you wish to leave the walk at any time, you must inform the leader.

Each walk is graded (number of boots) please ensure you are fit enough to participate. The grading guide and other symbol meanings are found on our Symbols page.

If you wish to leave the walk at any time, you must inform the leader.

In the event of adverse weather or an unpredicted obstacle, the leader may change the route or reduce the walk length in the interests of the health and safety of the group.

What to wear

Please wear suitable footwear (walking boots) and clothing and be prepared for unpredictable weather. An inadequately dressed person could affect the safety and enjoyment of the whole group, so we reserve the right not to take a person who is not properly equipped.

What to bring

We recommend you carry a drink (preferably water) and sun-protection.

You should ensure that you have food and drink appropriate for the length of the walk. The walk descriptions indicated where a packed lunch is needed (you can search the Walks page for packed lunch to find them), and you will need to provide your own lunch. Many walks have picnic stops well away from any shops or cafés.

Dogs

Well-behaved, well-socialised dogs are welcome on those walks indicated. Dogs must be on short, controlled leads throughout the walk (with the exception of the Whiteford dog walk on which dogs may be let off their leads only when the walk leader says so). Maximum of 2 dogs per person. Owners must carry ‘poop’ bags and use when required. Be aware that we walk near farm animals and wildlife. Some dog-friendly walks will include stiles. Assistance dogs are welcome on all walks.

Younger walkers

Younger walkers are welcome on some walks, please check on the webpage for each walk or you can search the Walks page for “family friendly” to get a list of walks that children under 18 can participate in.  

If aged under 18, children must be accompanied by a responsible adult (one adult per child).  

The responsible adult should have parental responsibility or an equivalent supervisory role, such as a parent, legal guardian, carer, teacher or youth worker.   GWF walk leaders and back markers will not provide supervision or care for under-18s.  

It is up to the responsible adult to decide if they think a walk is suitable for a child. Please email info@gowerwalkingfestival.uk if you need further guidance about a particular walk.  

There is no charge for walkers under 18 years of age.  

Smoking

We ask that walkers refrain from smoking during the walk time.

Privacy

You can read our privacy policy here.

Photographs will be taken by walk leaders, back markers and other walkers during the walk and some will, inevitably, end up on social media. If you would rather not be included in photographs, please make it known to the walk leader and/or back marker and we will do our best to ensure that you are not included in any photos that the Walking Festival uses for promotional purposes.