To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site.  Learn more

Allow cookies
Harlech Beach & Dunes

Book Tickets Online

About

Morfa Harlech is one of two extensive sand dune systems which make up much of the southern Snowdonia coastline, extending from the Mawddach estuary in the south to Black Rock Sands in the north west.

Morfa Harlech sand dunes structures are arguably the most dynamic form of natural habitat in the world. The coastal walk through the reserve is a dramatic and spectacular sweep of untouched golden sand.

At first sight this might appear to be uninteresting as a National Nature Reserve - little but rolling sand dunes covered in marram grass. But it is a genuinely wild place, created by and changing with the forces of nature, not of humans. The dunes here are actively growing with a constant supply of sand being blown inland from the north of Barmouth Bay. The sand accumulates there, having been deposited by the rivers that had washed it down from the mountains of Snowdonia. The land here is rising, not only from accumulation of sand, but because the north west of Britain is gradually rising. When Harlech Castle was built in 1274 it was right on the seashore!

Dunes grow first with sand building up around some obstruction such as seaweed or debris on the shore. Once the embryo dune starts growing, specially adapted plants like marram grass can take hold. This grass is deep rooted and can grow rapidly to keep pace with sand that might smother it.

Further inland the dunes become more vegetated. Other grasses and a variety of plants adapted to the special conditions of vey dry soil and salty atmosphere grow on them.

Morfa Harlech is also a good place for birdwatching, especially in winter when you might see whooper swans and large flocks of wigeon and mallard. Hundreds of curlew and oystercatcher also congregate on the mudflats to the north.

Book Tickets

Facilities

Children

  • Children welcome

Parking

  • Parking with charge

Property Facilities

  • Dogs Accepted

Map & Directions

Road Directions

The reserve lies west of Harlech on the A496 road between Barmouth and Maentwrog and the turn for Morfa Harlech is almost opposite Harlech Castle. The pay-and-display car park, is at the end of the road and it is just a short walk along a path to the sand dunes and beach.

Public Transport Directions

The nearest mainline railway station is Harlech.

Morfa Harlech Nature Reserve (NRW)

Type:Nature Reserve

Harlech, Gwynedd, LL46 2UR

Add Morfa Harlech Nature Reserve (NRW) to your Itinerary

Close window

Call direct on:

Tel0300 065 3000

Related

Harlech town & castleHarlech, HarlechHarlech is a historic town on the Snowdonia coast which has fantastic beaches, Royal St David's - one of Wales' finest golf courses and Harlech Castle which a World heritage site.

Brecon Beacons | Craig CerrigCraig Cerrig Gleisiad & Fan Frynych (NRW), BreconCraig Cerrig-gleisiad and Fan Frynych National Nature Reserve is a 156 acre (631,000 m²) area of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Rheidol ValleyCoed Rheidol Nature Reserve (NRW), Devil's BridgeCoed Rheidol is situated about 12 miles east of Aberystwyth. It occupies parts of both banks of the Afon Rheidol, upstream, and the south bank downstream of Devil's Bridge.

Crychan Forest and Halfway ForestCrychan Forest (NRW), Llangammarch WellsThe Crychan & Halfway Forest is set in beautiful countryside nestling between the Brecon Beacons & the Cambrian Mountains. Miles of waymarked trails for horse riding, cycling and walking take you through tranquil gorges, along old drover's routes & past cascading waterfalls.

Coed y Brenin Forest ParkCoed y Brenin Visitor Centre (NRW), DolgellauCoed y Brenin Visitor Centre is in the heart of southern Snowdonia near Dolgellau, is the gateway to Coed y Brenin Forest Park. Try world-class mountain bike trails, family walks, café, cycle shop, all-ability play area and an easy access trail.

Lake VyrnwyDyfnant & Vyrnwy Forests (NRW), Lake VyrnwyDyfnant and Vyrnwy Forests are in a part of Mid Wales renowned for rolling hills, lush green valleys and picturesque farmsteads and villages. The Forest caters for horse riding and carriage driving as well as walking and picnic areas.

Dyfi Forest - Nant GwernolDyfi Forest (NRW), MachynllethThe Dyfi Forest is located mainly to the north of the Afon Dyfi between Dolgellau to the north and Machynlleth to the south. Dyfi is a 6000ha forest - a spectacular landscape well worth exploring.

Abergorlech Forest Garden Brechfa - NRWBrechfa Forest (NRW), LlandoveryThe famous Brechfa Forest is managed by Natural Resources Wales for the benefit of people, wildlife, recreation and timber production.

Ceri Forest - NRWCeri Forest (NRW), NewtownCeri Forest is a coniferous forest which sits astride the Kerry Ridgeway in the uplands of Montgomeryshire.

Hafren ForestHafren Forest (NRW), LlanidloesChoice of walking trails along the River Severn which flows through Hafren Forest. Trails go to waterfalls and the source of the Severn on Pumlumon. Riverside accessible trail with viewing platform over cascades. Picnic area and toilets.

Morfa DyffrynMorfa Dyffryn Nature Reserve (NRW), Dyffryn ArdudwyThe spectacular Morfa Dyffryn Reserve stretches for about 4.5 miles along the coast of Cardigan Bay from Afon Ysgethin in the south to Afon Artro in the north.

Coed y Brenin Forest Park (NRW), DolgellauCoed y Brenin Forest Park is set in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park near Dolgellau and forms part of the National Forest for Wales. There are many walking trails from various car parks within the Coed y Brenin forest park where you can see waterfalls, ruins of a copper mine and have accessible…

Coed y Brenin CafeCoed y Brenin Visitor Centre | Meetings & Conferences (NRW), DolgellauCoed y Brenin visitor centre near Dolgellau, is the gateway to Coed y Brenin Forest Park. Try world-class mountain bike trails, family walks, café, cycle shop, all-ability play area and an easy access trail.

What's Nearby

  1. Explore the magnificent castle of Edward I at Harlech - which is inscribed on the World…

    0.18 miles away
  2. This 120 acre reserve is a fine example of Ancient Woodland, with a rich flora of mosses,…

    0.44 miles away
  3. Harlech beach is an ideal place for children to play and an even better spot for adults…

    0.71 miles away
  4. Llandanwg Beach

    Llandanwg beach is just south of Harlech; the village is famous for its church which…

    1.72 miles away
  1. Situated on its own peninsula in Southern Snowdonia, Portmeirion is a sight to behold,…

    3.88 miles away
  2. The Ffestiniog Railway in the heart of the Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park is the oldest…

    4.6 miles away
  3. The Snowdonia National Park is a special part of the country where visitors come to relax…

    4.98 miles away
  4. Neolithic tomb comprising two chambers of different phases, originally covered by a stone…

    5.08 miles away
  5. The WHHR is a small, friendly railway where the train ride is just part of the experience…

    5.11 miles away
  6. Dyffryn (Llanendwyn) Beach

    Dyffryn (Llanendwyn) is a long sandy beach backed by an extensive sand dune system…

    5.18 miles away
  7. The spectacular Morfa Dyffryn Reserve stretches for about 4.5 miles along the coast of…

    5.18 miles away
  8. Tal-y-bont Beach/Bennar Beach

    To the north of Barmouth near Tal-y-bont, Bennar's fine, sandy beach is backed by the…

    5.85 miles away
  9. Visit the stunning Glaslyn Valley in Snowdonia and see breeding ospreys in the spring and…

    6.45 miles away
  10. Coed y Brenin Visitor Centre is in the heart of southern Snowdonia near Dolgellau, is the…

    9.26 miles away
  11. Barmouth is southern Snowdonia’s most popular seaside resort. In summer, its big sandy…

    9.65 miles away
  12. Coed Ganllwyd Nature Reserve

    The Dolmelynllyn estate is about 5 miles north of Dolgellau. To explore the estate,…

    9.99 miles away
Previous Next

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss