Oxwich National Nature Reserve is a national nature reserve located on the south coast of Gower, approximately 11 miles west of Swansea. This compact area features a diverse landscape, including a sandy beach, extensive sand dunes, freshwater lakes, marshes, woodlands, and limestone cliffs. This rich mosaic of habitats makes Oxwich National Nature Reserve a suitable location for several outdoor sports like hiking, jogging, road cycling, mountain biking, and more.
Oxwich National Nature…
97
Routes
4.5
(164)
Average rating
2202
People visited

4.8
(25)
187
hikers
7.08km
02:01
160m
160m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(5)
44
hikers
13.8km
03:43
180m
180m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.8
(6)
31
hikers
22.8km
06:23
450m
450m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.0
(8)
17
hikers
6.46km
01:42
60m
60m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

129
runners
45.7km
05:12
760m
750m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.

41
runners
7.08km
00:47
160m
160m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

82.9km
08:58
1,010m
1,000m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.

5.0
(1)
93
runners
15.6km
01:45
170m
170m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4.5
(6)
28
riders
33.2km
02:53
640m
640m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

5.0
(6)
73
riders
35.6km
03:01
610m
610m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

6
riders
48.3km
03:02
460m
460m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

5.0
(2)
10
riders
27.6km
02:06
380m
380m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

5.0
(1)
23
riders
41.1km
02:34
430m
430m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
34
riders
23.2km
01:32
280m
280m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
22
riders
36.0km
02:20
370m
370m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

13
riders
31.7km
02:31
480m
480m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

102
riders
41.1km
01:57
380m
380m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(3)
99
riders
28.3km
01:20
270m
270m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.5
(2)
79
riders
23.3km
01:09
290m
290m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

45
riders
32.0km
01:35
430m
430m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
Oxwich National Nature Reserve offers a range of outdoor activities including hiking, jogging, road cycling, and mountain biking. The reserve features diverse landscapes such as sandy beaches, dunes, freshwater lakes, and woodlands. More than 10 routes are available for exploration.
Popular hiking options include the Beach and Dunes Walk, a moderate 2.1-mile (3.5 km) trail, and the Nicholaston Woods Walk, a 2.2-mile (3.6 km) path with views of Oxwich Bay. The Wales Coast Path also runs through the reserve. More information is available in the Hiking around Oxwich National Nature Reserve guide.
Yes, Oxwich National Nature Reserve offers routes suitable for families. These trails often feature varied terrain and points of interest for all ages. Specific options can be found in the Family-friendly hikes around Oxwich National Nature Reserve guide.
Oxwich National Nature Reserve has trails where dogs are permitted, though specific rules regarding leash use may apply in certain areas to protect wildlife. Visitors can consult the Dog-friendly hikes around Oxwich National Nature Reserve guide for suitable routes.
The reserve is known for its diverse habitats, including Oxwich Bay Beach, extensive sand dunes, freshwater lakes, marshes, and woodlands on limestone slopes. Unique geological features like sand-covered cliffs are also present. These varied environments support a rich array of plant and animal life.
Oxwich National Nature Reserve is home to over 600 plant species, including rare orchids and dune gentian. It also supports rich invertebrate life, such as the Cepero's ground hopper and hairy dragonfly. The lakes and marshes are crucial for birdlife, attracting wildfowl and warblers, with a bird hide available at Whitestones.
Road cycling is an available activity in and around Oxwich National Nature Reserve, utilizing minor roads in the area. These routes offer opportunities to explore the surrounding landscape by bike. Details can be found in the Road Cycling Routes around Oxwich National Nature Reserve guide.
Mountain biking is an activity supported in Oxwich National Nature Reserve, with varied terrain including woodlands. Visitors should be aware of designated footpaths and ecologically sensitive areas. The MTB Trails around Oxwich National Nature Reserve guide provides relevant information.
Oxwich National Nature Reserve is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 48,000 visitors sharing their experiences. Routes in the reserve have an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, indicating high satisfaction among users.
Public transport options are available to reach Oxwich National Nature Reserve. Specific routes and connections from bus stations can be explored. The Hikes from bus stations around Oxwich National Nature Reserve guide offers relevant information for planning a visit without a car.
Oxwich National Nature Reserve is managed by Natural Resources Wales. The official website is naturalresources.wales. For general inquiries, Natural Resources Wales can be contacted at 0300 065 3000. For car park and beach inquiries, Penrice Estate can be reached at (01792) 391081.
The best time to visit Oxwich National Nature Reserve for wildflowers is typically in late May and June. During this period, the sand dunes are particularly vibrant with numerous orchid species and other rare plants like the dune gentian.
Yes, Oxwich National Nature Reserve offers easy hiking trails suitable for various fitness levels. These routes provide accessible ways to experience the reserve's natural beauty. The Easy hikes around Oxwich National Nature Reserve guide provides specific options.

