Spring is finally here in Wales, bringing blue skies and beautiful sunshine. What better way to enjoy the weather than hopping on a bike and exploring one of Wales's most scenic seaside stretches?
The Swansea Bike Path is one of my favourite routes in Wales for seaside views and a cheeky ice cream stop. This popular coastal route traces the old Mumbles tramway, which used to carry the world’s first railway passengers.
These days, it’s a fab route for families, offering smooth cycling for all ages. You’ll pedal past scenic views and spot plenty of cafés, restaurants, and pubs along the way – plus, the iconic 12th-century Oystermouth Castle adds a historic touch as it watches over the landward entrance to Gower.
The easiest section runs from Swansea marina to the Mumbles, a charming seaside village called 'Hamptons of Wales' where you can stop for a pint or an ice cream.
It's a straightforward 6-mile route (12 miles return) that can be completed in around an hour if you are going gangbusters or at Leasuire with plenty of rest stops.
Here's how you can bike the bay and find the best ice cream
Bike from Swansea Marina to the Mumbles
The Swansea Bay Bike Path is a brilliant cycle route that consists mostly of well-paved surfaces and is easy to ride. This particular stretch begins at the Swansea Marina, located behind the barrage at the mouth of the River Tawe.
Here, you'll find a boatyard and a mix of leisure, culture, and dining experiences, including one of the best Chinese restaurants in South Wales – Gigi Gao's.
If you want to pick up cakes for your ride, I recommend swinging by the uber-chic Coast Cafe for a hazelnut pain au chocolate. You won't regret it.
Your actual starting point will largely depend on whether you bring bikes. If you have a bike, park near the marina, download all trails to find the route and get ready to cycle along the sea.
If you need to rent a bike, you can park near the marina or in town and collect a bike. Next Bikes is right by the bus station in Swansea. Just download the Next Bike app, and away you go.
Biking Swansea Bay
The path follows the wide curve of Swansea Bay, giving you a front-row seat to the stunning sweep of the shoreline, with views across the bay to Mumbles Head and the start of the Gower Peninsula.
It’s an ideal ride for families, with a mix of flat terrain and plenty of spots to stop and enjoy the ocean views.
A real highlight is the five-mile stretch along Swansea Bay – think wide promenades, a coastal road, and views that’ll make you want to stop and soak up the views.
If you have bike locks, you can hop off and explore the shoreline before returning to the cycle path.
Continue onwards, passing Swansea University and the Singleton Park Boating Lake. As you follow the coast, you will see several places to stop for a rest and get coffee from your flask.
If you need to buy refreshments, Junction Cafe is a chilled-out seaside bistro offering a decent selection of cakes, bacon rolls, and paninis that you can eat inside or out.
Continue to West Cross and Mumbles
Keep peddling, and you'll soon reach West Cross, where the swish West Cross Inn has a lovely garden perfect for scenic views of Swansea Bay with a cold pint.
Not stopping? Continue towards the Mumbles, which marks the beginning of the Gower Peninsula's coastline.
With homemade ice cream, a Victorian-era pier and rocky bays, this small village was named one of the best places to live by the sea in the UK for 2024 by the Sunday Times.
Journalist Tim Palmer noted in the Sunday Times article: "For somewhere that's essentially a suburb of Swansea, Mumbles has a frankly indecent amount to offer the most demanding thalassophile.
"Within a few miles of the centre of Wales's second city, you can watch wading birds forage on the shoreline of Swansea Bay, explore the rockpools of Bracelet Bay, join the hardy year-round swimmers at Langland Bay or hop on your surfboard at Caswell Bay."
The Mumbles Mile
Back in the day, Mumbles was best known for the legendary ‘Mumbles Mile’—a seafront pub crawl featuring 26 boozers crammed into (roughly) a mile.
It was a rite of passage for young revellers in Wales, hopping from one traditional pub to the next, downing cheap lager, and praying there was enough change left for a bag of chips when the pubs shut.
Fast forward to today, and things have taken a turn for the trendier. Many of those old pubs have shut their doors, and Mumbles has swapped its party-hard reputation for a more polished, hipster-friendly seaside vibe.
As you enter Mumbles, the picturesque village bursts with cafés, restaurants, and pubs dotted along the seafront.
A must-stop along the way is the Gower Seafood Hut – a tiny seafood spot serving fresh local catches from a bright blue horsebox on the promenade.
Expect crispy chilli prawns, breaded plaice goujons, whitebait, calamari and tasty pots of briny cockles.
Where to stop for Ice Cream
Cycling to the pier? Expect plenty of tempting ice cream stops along the way—Mumbles locals are still fiercely debating who serves the best scoop.
Verdi’s, a family-run Italian restaurant and ice cream parlour on the seafront, is famous for its delicious pasta dishes and top-tier gelato. Some even say it’s among the best in the UK.
Then there’s Joe’s Ice Cream Parlour, a Mumbles institution since 1922. Their creamy, handmade ice cream is the stuff of legend, making it a must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Both are great choices for a lush ice cream in the sun and to refuel for the ride back.
Finish at Mumbles Pier
You can finish your ride at the iconic Mumbles Pier, which is located at the western end of Swansea Bay.
Constructed in 1898, this Victorian-era pier has been a beloved destination for locals and visitors for over a century.
The pier stretches into the bay, providing gorgeous panoramic views of the coastline and the sea.
You can now turn back toward the marina or extend your ride with a loop around Caswell Bay and up through Muton.
Be aware this is a tougher ride with large stretches on the road, so ensure you are properly prepared and used to cycling alongside traffic.
