Last time on the Oakeley blog we delved into the hidden secrets of Cardigan Bay – the legend of the lost lands of Wales. So today, we thought we’d feature this lovely walk along one of the most gorgeous beaches in Cardigan Bay. It’s about an hour’s drive from the Oakeley Arms, but the journey will take you through some stunning landscapes, so it’s well worth it!

Where:              Ynyslas, Ceredigion

Distance:          Approx 3.5 miles

Difficulty:          Easy

Start:                Ynyslas car park (leave the B4353 at north of Borth at bend in road, and head past caravan park to end of road; car parking area at start of beach. Charges apply. Nearest post code for sat nav is SY24 5JZ (approx).

Grid Ref:           SN 610 941

Maps:               OS Explorer OL23: Cadair Idris and Bala Lake

Directions:

1: From the car parking area turn back and walk along the lane you came down, passing the caravan park on the left. Soon reach a cluster of houses on left, and find a track on the left between two bungalows (directly opposite a large metal gate on the right leading across the golf course).

2: Follow this track as it leads through three gates to eventually reach a tarmac lane at a corner. Continue ahead along the lane towards the boatyard and go over a cattle grid near it.

3: At the road go straight ahead and over the bridge then cross the level crossing carefully. Immediately after the railway track, turn right through a gate and along a gravel path with the railway on the right.

4: Continue over a footbridge then bear left and over stile to walk along path besides river.

Continue along this path for almost two miles, passing a way-marker with a track on the right (take this for a shorter walk; it will lead to the top of Borth village) and go through the gate and continue along the riverside path.

5: When you reach another gate at the end of the Nature Reserve, go through this and follow the Coast Path fingerpost pointing right through another gate, along a fenced path and across a footbridge. Follow the path across the field edge, passing the benches and the graveyard on the left and through another gate by the church to a lane.

6: Turn right and follow the lane across the level crossing and continue, to come out between houses on main road.

7: Cross road and walk onto beach. Turn right and follow it for over two miles, leaving it at a red flag and a lifebuoy on the right. Follow the path into dunes, bearing upwards and right to reach a path over dunes.

8: Roughly aim for the toilet block up ahead, following the boardwalks back to the car parking area.

**Please note that these directions are for guidance only. The Oakeley Arms can accept no responsibility for any loss, damage or injury resulting from the use of this information. Always take a map with you and be prepared for the weather for turn. Do not venture out in bad weather and always take care with coastal tides.

Dunes at Ynyslas By Badgernet on wikicommons

Did you know……..?

1: The village of Borth and the bog behind it was used as a location for filming the BBC detective drama series Hinterland that aired in October 2013. It was filmed in both Welsh and English.

2: The Ynyslas sand dunes are renowned for being home to a huge number of bird, plant and animal life. They form part of the Dyfi National Nature Reserve.