Walking the Gower: A Journey Through Time and Tide
Walking the Gower Coast Path is often described as a pilgrimage for nature lovers. When you stay at The Boathouse, you are positioned at one of the most dramatic junctions of this path. You don’t need a car to access world-class hiking, you only need a sturdy pair of boots and a sense of wonder.
The Path to the Mystery: Culver Hole
Heading west from Port Eynon Point, the terrain becomes more challenging and infinitely more rewarding. The cliffs here are sheer limestone, rising dramatically above the churning Atlantic. A local favourite - though it requires a bit of a scramble - is the walk to Culver Hole. From the cliff top, it looks like a giant, man-made wall inserted into a natural sea cave. Its history is a blend of fact and folklore. Some say it was a medieval dovecote built to provide meat for a nearby castle, while others swear it was a smuggler’s stronghold. Standing at its base as the waves crash nearby is a humbling reminder of the Gower’s rugged past.
The Iconic Trek: Port Eynon to Rhossili
For those looking for a full-day adventure, the 7-mile stretch to Rhossili is essential. This walk captures the ‘greatest hits’ of the South Wales coastline. You’ll traverse Mewslade Bay, where the limestone strata have been pushed vertical, creating jagged fins of rock that look like something from a fantasy novel. As you round the final headland, the view of Worm’s Head - a giant serpent of rock stretching into the sea - will take your breath away. It is a long walk, but the reward is a pint at the Worm’s Head Hotel before catching the local bus back to Port Eynon, just in time for a sunset at The Boathouse.
Safety on the Cliffs
The beauty of the Gower is its wildness, but that requires respect. The paths can be narrow and, after a Welsh rain shower, quite slippery. We always recommend checking the weather forecast and ensuring you have a map (digital is great, but signal can be spotty!). Most importantly, the cliff tops are home to wild Gower ponies and sheep - they are beautiful to photograph from a distance, but they are the true residents here, so please give them plenty of space.
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