The Cefn Bryn Ridge and Three Cliffs Bay.
Start. Rynoldston.
Route. Reynoldston - Arthur's Stone - Cefn Bryn - Penmaen - Penmaen Burrows - Nicholaston Woods - Penrice Castle - Mill Wood - Little Reynoldston - Reynoldston.
Notes. This route ascends Cefn Bryn (The Backbone of Gower) to visit Arthur's Stone before a long ridge walk to Three Cliffs, our return was made through salt march, ancient woodland, shifting sand, above cliffs along field paths, gifting us with a small slice of everything the Gower has to offer.
We parked opposite The King Arthur Hotel, Reynoldston, our route started and finished over tarmac, first an ascent to Cefn Bryn, as the road crested the summit we turned north at a large car park, the path lead to Arthur's Stone a neolithic burial chamber, retracing our steps back to the road we gained the crest of the long ridge eventually descending to Penmaen where a lane lead us below Notthill to make the steep descent to the beach, unfortunately that meant we had to ascend the sand dunes to the west of Three Cliffs Bay, a real leg burner but a great place to stop soak up the views and have lunch.
After lunch on a good path we traversed Penmaen Burrows passing a well preserved lime kiln before descending through Nicholaston Wood, after struggling across Nicholaston Burrows (lots of soft sand) we entered Nicholaston Woods again this time on a lower path, this path ascended gently to reach the Oxwich road. We climbed with tarmac under foot to the road junction, a hundred yards down the main road a footpath lead to Penrice Castle, we wandered down the drive with splendid views over the extensive water gardens before reaching a formal gate and stile, across the road Mill Wood, we entered passing two very different ponds before reaching a lane that lead to the main road, our final stretch over tarmac passed through Little Reynoldston before rounding a bend to reach Reynoldston and The King Arthur Hotel.
Ascending Cefn Bryn with a stunning view over Reynoldston.
Sunlight on the Bristol Channel with the blue/grey coast line of Devon clearly visible.
Arthur's Stone a neolithic burial chamber, a cromlech which dates from 2,500 BC. Legend tells us that whilst walking in Llanelli King Arthur found a stone in his shoe, he removed this cause of discomfort and threw it as far as possible, it landed on Cefn Bryn.
A few yards from Arthur's Stone can be found this Bronze Age burial cairn one of several along the Cefn Bryn Ridge.
Climbed earlier in the week Rhossili Down.
From Cefn Bryn wonderful views across Gower.
Stunning views to the north, Llanelli seen over the small mound of Cilifor Top.
Wild ponies on the Cefn Bryn Ridge.
Wonderful silvery seascapes carry the eye to the Devonshire coast.
Definitely the best view point on the Gower, Cefn Bryn with views to Rhossili Down, to the right Llangennith Hill.
Looking down on Penrice Castle.
From Cefn Bryn a mouth-watering view to the Brecon Beacons 37 miles to the northeast.
On Cefn Bryn with a stunning panorama across Oxwich Bay.
A lovely view over the Gower coast, with Three Cliffs Bay almost visible to the left.
Our first view to Three Cliffs Bay.
Three Cliffs Bay a magical place.
This shot was taken from our lunch stop, Pobbles Beach seen over Three Cliffs.
It's easy to see why this is one of the most photographed places on Gower,
Penmaen seen from Penmaen Burrows.
Rather large lime kiln passed on the cliff path after saying goodbye to Penmarn Burrows.
Great Tor and the eastern edge of Oxwich Beach seen from the lime kiln.
Next on the bill the descent to Oxwich Burrows followed by a tough walk through shifting sand.
Sue strides out on a good path through Nicholaston Woods.
The Tower a folly marks the entrance to Penrice House, unfortunately our entrance is not so grand, a small stile found a 100 yards down the main road to the right of the tower.
In Mill Wood looking to the preserved remains of the old mill, it worked until 1891 when it's owner died.
This interesting structure is believed to be a Trout Pond, built to supply the house and village with a fresh supply of fish.
This less formal pond was passed further up the path.