Swansea is generally known as a Welsh coastal city, thus it makes absolute sense that locals – active, adrenaline seekers to be exact – take advantage of its picturesque trails. In other words, parts of the Celtic Trail and the National Cycle Network offer gorgeous vistas for cyclists. At its core, the Swansea Bay features easy routes along the Prom, as well as challenging ones on the hills of Afan and the Vale of Neath, where experienced mountain bikers find solace.

An Easy, Six-Mile Ride from the Marina to Mumbles

Just to give you a brief idea of what a basic cycling route along the Swansea coastline looks like, you can begin at the Marina and cap off your two-wheel journey at the Victorian seaside town of Mumbles. The route’s distance is at a manageable six miles on a traffic-free, tarmac surface in South West Wales. Along the way, you can have stopovers at the National Waterfront Museum, Dylan Thomas Centre, and Oystermouth Castle.

One of the Best Places to See: Oystermouth Castle

Nestled on the east side of the Gower Peninsula, Oystermouth Castle is a Norman stone fortress founded by William de Londres of Ogmore Castle in the early 12th century. It’s well preserved and has complex pathways, which ultimately makes the stopover even more worthwhile. You can also explore hidden parts of the castle and learn more about its rich history. Oystermouth’s south end is bordered by what was once a pair of half-round towers, while its east side features a chapel block or – architecturally – the citadel’s highest point, as stated by Castle Wales. Best of all, this is where you can capture the stunning, unforgettable view of Swansea Bay.

A Challenging, 24-Mile Extension for the Adventurous

At the end of your trip at Mumbles Head, there are plenty of equally quaint cafés, pubs, and restaurants. If you feel more adventurous, then you can follow Route 4 westward to Gowerton through Clyne Valley Country Park. Here, you’ll see a rustic woodland course that leads to the Millennium Coastal Path and Kidwelly for a grand total of 24 miles. In between, you can even swing by Liberty Stadium, where Swansea City plays their home games in the English Premier League.

One of the Best Things to Do: Catch a Swansea City Match

As of this moment, Swansea’s chances at the Premier League title are slim to none. They’re currently sitting in 17th spot with the likes of West Ham, Stoke City, and Sunderland breathing down their necks and fighting to avoid relegation. To make matter worse, the EPL experts over at Betfair predict that the Swans’ odds of staying up have taken a hit since the sudden managerial switch from Francesco Guidolin to Bob Bradley happened this week. It looks like the cards are stacked against the football club, however, not all is lost in Swansea, as they’re one of the few Premier League teams that have the cheapest, most reasonable ticket prices, according to The Guardian. With this – and a little luck on your side, you can spontaneously catch a match day at Liberty Stadium without breaking the bank.

An Appreciation through the Words of its Beloved Son

Coming from the mouth of the coastal city’s beloved late-great artist Dylan Thomas, Swansea is the “ugly, lovely town.” It combines the anguish of rabid football enthusiasts with the beauty of a natural coastline in an odd yet surprisingly perfect way. So whether one’s a diehard Swans fan or an avid cyclist or an outdoor adventurer altogether, Wales’ second largest city mirrors the words of arguably its most famous son.

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