Ynyslas Visitor Centre

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 the Natural Resources Wales website.

YNYSLAS VISITOR CENTRE

Ynyslas Visitor Centre is the main access point to Dyfi National Nature Reserve.

The visitor centre sits on the edge of Ynyslas dunes, the largest sand dunes in Ceredigion.

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

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.

DYFI NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE

Dyfi National Nature Reserve is situated midway between Aberystwyth and Machynlleth and has three main parts: estuary, sand dunes and peat bog.

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 lies to the south east of the dunes and is one of the largest 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.

The landscape and wildlife varies at Ynyslas depending on which time of year you visit. To find out what to look out for, go to the exhibition in the visitor centre or our website.

WALKING TRAILS

The Dune Walk and Ynyslas Walk are waymarked from start to finish. There are information panels about these trails in the visitor centre and in the car park.

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.

The Wales Coast Path runs around the edge of Cors Fochno between Borth and Tre Taliesin.

ENJOY YOUR VISIT SAFELY

The car park is on the beach and it is flooded in high tides. The car park is on the beach and it is flooded during 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.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

The visitor centre car park for Blue Badge holders is beside the access track to the main car park.

The 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.

OPENING TIMES

Please check the Natural Resources Wales website for opening times and car park charges.