Gower
Three Cliffs Bay
River winding through dunes to a beach guarded by three limestone spikes, with a ruined castle above. Probably the best short walk in Wales.
- Distance
- 3.7 mi / 6 km
- Time
- 2 hr 10
- Ascent
- 170 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Shape
- Circular
Where it is
The circle shows the general area, not the exact start. Use the directions link below to get to the car park itself. Contours and paths shown are OpenTopoMap, drawn from OpenStreetMap data.
The route
From Penmaen, drop through the dunes to Pennard Pill and the beach, then climb to Pennard Castle on the cliff above and return through the woods at Parkmill.
Worth knowing
- The stepping stones over Pennard Pill are impassable at high tide. Check before committing to the beach route.
- Pennard Castle is unfenced on the cliff edge and half buried in sand.
- The classic view is from the Penmaen side looking down; the beach itself is better for swimming.
What you’ll see
The three cliffs, the pill winding through the dunes, Pennard Castle and the salt marsh behind.
Background
Pennard Castle was abandoned in the fourteenth century as sand engulfed it. Local legend blames a curse rather than the weather.