Start:
Three Cliffs Coffee Shop, Southgate
Destination:
Three Cliffs Coffee Shop, Southgate
Distance:
5 miles
Walk Length:
2.5 hours
Walk Difficulty:
3 (Difficult)
Parking:
Pay and Display National Trust Car Park
C0nsiderations:
Always exercise caution when crossing roads and navigating steep paths.
Walk east from the coffee shop and follow the track running parallel to the road out of the National Trust car park towards Hunts Bay.
As you approach Hunts Bay, look for a hidden quote by poet Vernon Watkins in the cliffs above. Watkins often sat and wrote here.
Continue following the downward curve of the road. Leave the road when you see the sign directing you out towards the cliffs and Graves End.
Climb the rocky steps to reach High Pennard. Here, you’ll have spectacular views towards Pobbles and Oxwich.
As you walk, you will pass an Iron Age promontory fort. Continue towards the cliff edge and the steps leading to Graves End. At this point, you can see the sweep of Caswell Bay in the distance.
As you get closer to Graves End, notice the sense of peace and isolation. The stones here commemorate the wreck of the Ceasar, where many press-ganged men lost their lives. Follow the steep climb to the left, and look for fossils in the stone steps.
At the top of the steps, go through the gate and continue until you reach a glorious field of wildflowers in summer. Pass through another gate to the top of Pwlldu Bay.
At this point, you have the option to return along the road to the coffee shop.
If you choose to continue, head down past Kilsaren Cottage, once home to the infamous smugglers, the Webb family, until you reach the bottom of a rocky path. To your right is Pwlldu Bay, named after its dark (black) pool.
Turn left and follow the path with the river on your right-hand side until you reach a signpost for Southgate on your left, about ¾ of a mile up the valley. This path will take you along part of the Pilgrims Way. Continue until you reach a metal gate and a permissive path via a farm to Hael Lane and back to Three Cliffs Coffee Shop.