About

Ynyslas Visitor Centre and Dyfi National Nature Reserve is managed by Natural Resources Wales. For full details of the visitor facilities here (including trail lengths and grades), information about any changes or temporary closures to trails or other facilities, and car parking charges please go to our website.

YNYSLAS VISITOR CENTRE
Ynyslas Visitor Centre sits on the edge of Ynyslas dunes, the largest sand dunes in Ceredigion. It is the main access point to Dyfi National Nature Reserve. You can explore the dunes and seashore on the walking trails from the beach car park or simply follow your nose and take in the wide open spaces, spectacular views over the estuary and the sounds of wind, sea and birds.

The visitor centre has an exhibition about what to see at the reserve, a shop selling drinks, snacks, books and local produce, and toilets.

DYFI NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE
Dyfi National Nature Reserve is situated midway between Aberystwyth and Machynlleth and has three main parts: Dyfi estuary, sand dunes and peat bog. The landscape and wildlife varies at Ynyslas depending on which time of year you visit.

The Dyfi estuary includes internationally important mudflats, sandbanks and saltmarsh that provide feeding areas for waterfowl and migrating waders. You may spot other wildlife lie osprey and otter.  

Ynyslas sand dunes are at the southern side of the estuary mouth. The dunes are home to a rich population of orchids, mosses, liverworts, fungi, insects and spiders; many of these species are rare and some are unknown elsewhere in Britain.

Cors Fochno is part of the Dyfi National Nature Reserve and is known locally as Borth Bog, Cors Fochno is one of the largest and finest remaining examples of a raised peat bog in Britain. The most westerly part of the bog has been eroded by the sea but, at low tide, the stumps of long dead trees can be seen on the beach near Borth.

YNYSLAS BEACH & DUNES
Ynyslas near Borth is part of the Dyfi National Nature Reserve which is a 2,000 hectare reserve that includes the Dyfi estuary and Cors Fochno. From the car park there is a 500 metre boardwalk across the dunes to the beach. Ynyslas has three stunning miles of golden beach stretching from Borth in the south to the sand dunes in the north. It is a majestic spot for walking, picnics and windsurfing.

Ynyslas beach and sand dunes are a popular spot for holidaymakers in summer but, as there are fewer people around during the colder months, it is a lovely time for a quieter walk to appreciate the what makes this place so special.

YNYSLAS WALKING TRAILS
There are information panels about the walking trails in the Ynyslas visitor centre and in the car park. The Dune Walk and Ynyslas Walk are waymarked from start to finish. The Wales Coast Path runs around the edge of Cors Fochno between Borth and Tre Taliesin.

The Dune Walk takes you through the ever-changing dunes and along the seashore, with stunning displays of flowers in spring and summer and colourful fungi in autumn.

The Ynyslas Walk is a longer route and goes through a rich variety of habitat including sand dunes, seashore, farmland and saltmarsh with stunning views of the estuary.

The Cors Fochno Walk is a circular boardwalk over the bog from the small parking area at Cors Fochno. Dogs are not allowed on this boardwalk.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION
The visitor centre car park for Blue Badge holders is beside the access track to the main car park and the Ynyslas Visitor Centre and toilets are accessible. A 300m section of the Dune Walk from the visitor centre to the main dune slack is accessible. The rest of the trails are not accessible due to soft sand and mud.

ENJOY YOUR VISIT SAFELY
The car park is on the beach and it is flooded in high tides.  High tides happen frequently and the time of the high tide varies. The sign at the car park entrance states if a high tide is due, at what time and for how long. If a high tide is due, you must move your car out of the car park before the time on the sign.

If you are travelling a long way to visit Ynyslas, we recommend you contact the visitor centre in advance to check if the car park will be affected by high tides.

The beach has a red flag for bathing due to dangerous currents. Swimming and inflatables are not allowed.  Please keep dogs under control and do not let them chase birds along the tide line.