Cycling in Swansea Bay, Mumbles and Gower
Gear up and grab your bike. Swansea Bay has plenty of free-from-traffic cycle routes and is part of the Celtic Trail and National Cycle Network. Take it easy with a cycle along the Prom, and if you’re more of an adrenaline junkie – head for the hills! Afan Forest Park in the Vale of Neath has a worldwide reputation for mountain-biking. There are trails for everyone. Families and newbies can go for the green trails, they’re still a challenge – but it’s the views that take your breath away (rather than the ride). Alternatively, ride the Off-Road Gower Cycle Network.
Bike? Check! Helmet? Check! Pedal your way across Swansea Bay’s 5 mile Promenade. Cycle from the city centre to Mumbles and grab an ice cream while you’re there. They say it’s amongst the best in the world. Biking the bay is a great activity for a summer’s day with a number of cafes overlooking the sea along the way!
Ride around some of the quieter roads on the North Gower cycle route. Check out the panoramic views (the best way is through a camera lens). For gentle, traffic free cycling The Tawe Tour is ideal. At just over 6 miles it’s a great route for families. If it’s a beachfront ride you’re after, then Beside the Seaside is the route for you. It ends up in Mumbles where you can take a dip in the water to cool off, or maybe even grab a sweet treat. This is a gentle route, but it is also a 10 mile round trip. It’s well worth it though.
The National Cycle Network
Swansea boasts some of the most scenic and enjoyable cycle routes in Wales, perfect for both casual riders and avid cyclists.
Though National Cycle Network Route 4 starts in Pontypridd, a highlight is the Swansea stretch. The route hugs the sweep of Swansea Bay, with views across to Devon on a clear day! This part of the route is particularly accessible and great for families.
The path runs along Swansea Prom with the beach just metres away, and into Clyne Valley Country Park where it utilises old railway lines to take you all the way to the Loughor Estuary, and into Carmarthenshire.
National Cycle Network Route 43 follows the River Tawe from the city centre all the way up to the rural village of Abercrave. The route makes use of canal paths and the remnants of an industrial past, the area’s rich history adds an extra layer of interest to your journey.
You’ll pass through the recently renovated Hafod Copperworks site as well as the leafy Coed Gwilym Park with Swansea Canal on one side of the path and the River Tawe on the other. Look out for the ducks! This route offers a mix of natural beauty and tranquillity, making it an ideal escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
The well-maintained paths make for a pleasant ride and each route is dotted with cafes, pubs and rest spots nearby, allowing you to take a break and enjoy your surroundings, and some well earned refreshments!
Calling all adrenaline junkies! Master the twisty, rocky, wildly exposed routes at Afan Forest Park. The trails were voted amongst the World’s ‘Top 10 places to ride’ by Mountain Bike Rider magazine, this place has to be on the bucket list! Afan Forest Park boasts over 100km of challenging single track descents, intense climbs, and spectacular views over the South Wales Valleys. You can hire all the equipment you need at the visitor centre, so there’s no excuse – get stuck in!
The Off-Road Gower Cycle Network
Discover Gower in a new way! Get a great work-out, enjoy the fresh air and see the coastline and countryside of the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty at the same time!
There are 27 kilometres of paths to explore following ancient bridleways with three Gower hills to climb; Rhossili Downs, Hardings Down and Llanmadoc Hill – can you take on all three?
This off-road route offers mainly bare earth tracks with some metalled but uneven surfaces – conditions will vary dependent on the season and the weather – so please take the right bicycle, equipment and clothing for the conditions.
The Network is a shared route and cyclists may encounter walkers and horse-riders – please note that the law states that cyclists must give way to walkers and horse-riders on bridleways. Luckily, there’s enough Gower for everybody!
Download our leaflet (PDF) which offers some excellent advice and tips for riding on bridleways together with a map to help plan your route safely.
Get on your bikes
Swansea is a cycle-friendly city. Secure cycle stands are provided throughout the city and many hotels and bed & breakfasts have Cyclists Welcome awards. You can hire a bike short-term from one of several bike hubs around the city (this requires pre-registration), minimum hire is 30 minutes so you can go for a short spin or a long cycle!
Keep up to date with Swansea Bay
