Pennard and Graves End

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TIDAL STATUS

Lower Sea Cliffs 2½ hours either side of low water. All other crags are non-tidal

BOLTING POLICY

No bolting

PREAMBLE

High Pennard is the sweep of white rocks that dominate the far east skyline on the eastern Gower, opposite Oxwich Bay to the west.

The rock is generally very good, but there are still some loose blocks on the less compact buttresses such as High Pennard and sections of Graves End Wall.

There is a very good collection in the E1 to E3 range in the Pennard Buttress to High Pennard section.

There are also some very good easier routes on the right-hand section of Pennard Buttress and Graves End Wall.

In contrast to most other areas on Gower the easier routes are quite steep, but with reassuringly large holds. The aspect is quite good (south to south-west facing), but the crags are exposed and can catch the wind. Before embarking on the extreme routes, consideration should be given to replacing the ancient thread runners.

For the uninitiated Pennard forms an armchair-like amphitheate above sea level. To the west, Pennard Buttress has a tall seaward facing wall which when followed rightwards (east) splits into two tiers separated by a grassy sloping terrace. High Pennard lies on the eastern side of the amphitheatre and recieves sunshine from mid-day.

In the centre of the amphitheatre is a scree slope, thickly covered by virtually every species of thorny plant native to the British Isles. A path of sorts traverses the scree slope close to the seaward edge and links Pennard Buttress to High Pennard. With an hour or so of dedicated clearance this path could be restored and passable, but at present it is much more comfortable to walk up and cross between the crags via the cliff top path.

Just east of Pennard and separated by only a narrow grassy gully is Graves End, which forms a seaward facing buttress with a good sized level terrace at its foot.

ACCESS

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Follow the offshoot of the B4436 to its end at the roundabout in Southgate. Park in the National Trust car park. Follow the narrow road east for about 1 mile to Hunts Farm (GR564873).

Pages in category ‘Pennard and Graves End’

The following 8 pages are in this category, out of 8 total.