You can choose to walk either on the shingle ridge or on the beach. Attractive pebbles are a feature of the shingle ridge. Many have been brought by the north-flowing current from the base of the cliffs at Borth. These grits and mudstones often contain veins of quartz (white crystalline rock) and waves grind and smooth these sedimentary rocks into rounded pebbles.
Some pebbles originate in the River Dyfi, where ballast dumped by ships could even account for exotic intruders. Others are the residue of the last Ice Age when glaciers pushed material here from as far away as Northern Ireland. If you find a flint-stone, it has come from County Antrim.
Stepping on the sand look down
for jellyfish. Small ones, which soon disappear on a hot day as the 95% water content of their bodies evaporates, are Aurelia aurita. More excitingly, the Rhizostoma octopus is the largest British jellyfish and often grows to half a metre in diameter. It is harmless to humans.
If very lucky, you may spot a seal or a dolphin in the sea. Less welcome are the greater and lesser weaver fish. If found on the beach, beware of their poisonous spines.
Razor shells live in this sand. Their long shells look like a cut-throat razor. Burrowing into the sand gives them protection from birds.
Listen for the 'kee-wi' call of the oystercatcher. Its red bill makes it conspicuous. Dunlin, characterized by their black belly in the summer, also predominate. Golden plover may be seen in the Autumn.
Herring and black-headed gulls are attracted by remains from visitors' picnics in the summer. Migrants turn up regularly each spring and autumn on their familiar routes. Sometimes huge numbers of swallows, swifts and martins can be seen.
Beyond the Second World War Pill Box on your left, the end of the national nature reserve is heralded by the golf course car park. During the summer months, there is a portable toilet here for public use.
your comments
Ray Austin, Gtr Manchester
While on a camping holiday near aberystwyth, it was decided to take a trip to ynyslas! we had a great tour around the reserve and the visitor centre, but what stays with me was the fantastic beach and the crystal clear water of the sea, a hot day clear skys, at the time it was said why would you want to go abroad, and we used to go to borth for famly holidays too, hoping to visit again in the near future, a fan!
Thu Jul 17 09:31:59 2008
Rosemary, Sennybridge
I'm not the only one too then! Every year until I was about 6 we would travel by car for 1-2 weeks holiday in the summer. We're going again this year, but I'm now 13... On the way back to the train station, me and my cousin, Richard had a few minutes to mess about on those lovely rockpools right by the cliff. I did find a large scallop type shell, I'd say about 10 cm lengthways. But that was the largest one I found in Borth. I do agree that there a fewer these days, even at the age of 6 I came home with bucket loads of those really long thing shells (like those £1 glasses case shaped ones) and several others which have remained in our garden since! It is a shame, I just wonder what ones if any will be there to amaze me this year! If you really are interested in shell finding or just love looking at some unique ones, Twywn maybe a good place for that.
Fri Jul 27 16:52:55 2007
Maggie Hammond from Solihull
We visit this lovely place often and walk our dogs along Borth beach. We have noticed during the last few years. that there has been a distinct lack of shells whereas there used to be quite an abundance of them. It would be interesting if anyone else had notice this and the reason for it.
Sun Dec 25 15:52:12 2005
Are you a regular visitor to the Ynyslas sand dunes? What do you love about the area? What advice would you give to new visitors? Add your comments here:
When the boardwalk ends, follow the short sandy path to the main beach and turn left towards the village of Borth, with the sea on your right-hand side. 
