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Scots Pine Stomp
Until the mid 1800s men known as drovers walked with huge herds of livestock from the hills and valleys of Wales to markets in the Midlands and beyond. Scots pines were used along the way for navigation. In 2025, Scots pines were planted in the hills around Bishops Castle to replace the dying and fallen trees that once guided drovers on one of their main routes from mid Wales to London. This walk, the Scots Pine Stomp, was devised to celebrate the project.
On this beautiful 9.5 mile circular walk around Bishop's Castle, we ascend through the Wintles to Bishops Moat, onto Reilthtop and along Colebatch to explore this ancient route to discover some of these trees and their surroundings. This walk will be guest led by a friend of mine, fellow leader Catherine Murphy; there will be explanations of this historic route along the way.
This will be a joint walk with Ads Ventures.
9.5 miles, ascent/descent 420m

EXPLORING THE GOWER PENINSULA

On this weekend in South Wales we stay in Swansea and use this as a base to explore the beautiful Gower Peninsula, a rich and varied environment known for its dramatic coastline with limestone cliffs and sandy beaches as well as wild open moors. It was designated the UK's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1956 and our two circular walks take in sections of the beautiful Wales Coast Path.
We stay at the Mercure Hotel in Swansea where all rooms are stylish and ensuite and have tea and coffee making facilities. We eat in the hotel restaurant on the Friday and Saturday evenings.

Friday 27th March to Sunday 29th March
£215 per person includes:

• Ensuite double or twin share room on a half board basis.
• If you are booking on your own, the sole occupancy charge is £50 for the weekend (for the first 6 rooms and then £60) or I can pair you with someone of the same sex to share.
• A guided walk each day with a qualified and professional leader
• Breakfast and evening meal each day (included) taken in the hotel restaurant.
• A £50 deposit is needed to secure a place. This can be paid by card or BACs -details of how to pay are in the link below:

https://ads-ventures.co.uk/how-to-book/

Friday March 27th
Arrive at the Mercure Hotel in Swansea and check into your room. Meet at 7:30pm for dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Meal included: dinner

Saturday 28th March: The Mumbles
The Mumbles need no introduction, quite definitely one of the highlights of the Gower Peninsula, and today we follow a lovely stretch of coastal path around the Mumbles Headland. Parking at the Dairy Car park at the north end of the Promenade, we follow the Wales Coast Path across Mumbles Bay. We will have elevenses at Mumbles Head with a spectacular view of the lighthouse before turning east to continue along the coast path to Caswell Bay. Here we turn inland and climb through Bishops Wood and cross Clyne Common for views down over the Mumbles and our beautiful morning’s coastal route before returning to our cars and the hotel.
16 km (10 miles) ascent/descent 170 m
Meals included: breakfast and dinner

Sunday 29th March: Oxwich Nature Reserve
On this walk we follow a beautiful section of the Wales Coastal Path before climbing to the viewpoint at Arthur's Stone to view our days route.
We drive to and park at Oxwich Nature Reserve and begin our walk by following the coast path across Oxwich Bay. At Penaen we turn inland and use the Gower Way to climb to the viewpoint at Arthur’s Stone. The 360° views from here allow us to see our morning’s route, the coastline below and even across to the North Devon coast if clear. From here we descend through Penrice and back to our cars at Oxwich.
14.5 km (9 miles) ascent/descent 300 m
Meals included: breakfast and dinner