Borth and Ynyslas from Aberystwyth
Borth is 8 miles north of Aberystwyth by road and about 20 minutes by train. Ynyslas is the northern tip of the same stretch of coast, at the mouth of the Dyfi estuary — wilder, less visited and designated as a National Nature Reserve. Together they make one of the more rewarding half-day or full-day trips from Aberystwyth.
Borth Beach
Borth has one of the longest beaches in Ceredigion — a wide, exposed arc of sand running for around 3 miles. It is backed by a single row of houses and a small village rather than a town, which gives it a different character from the central Aberystwyth beaches. The surf is better here than at Aberystwyth, and the beach is popular with surfers, kite flyers and dog walkers.
Borth is dog-friendly year-round — unlike the Aberystwyth beaches, there are no seasonal restrictions. This makes it the practical destination for dog owners visiting Aberystwyth between May and September when the town beaches have bans in place.
The beach is exposed to Atlantic weather. On a clear day the views are excellent; on a wet, windy day it is a very different experience. Check the forecast before making a day trip specifically for the beach.
The Submerged Forest
At low tide, particularly after storms have shifted the sand, you can see the remains of an ancient submerged forest along the Borth shoreline. The blackened stumps of trees — oak, pine, alder — are the remnants of woodland that stood here thousands of years ago before sea levels rose and covered this stretch of the Ceredigion coast. It is one of the more unusual natural sights in Wales.
Visibility depends on tide and sand conditions. Low spring tides give the best chance of seeing significant sections of the forest. Check tide times before planning a visit specifically to see it — it is not always visible.
Ynyslas National Nature Reserve
Ynyslas is at the northern end of the Borth beach, where the land narrows to a point at the mouth of the Dyfi estuary. The dunes here are an NNR managed by Natural Resources Wales — a large dune system with rare plants, nesting birds and broad views across the estuary to the Dyfi valley and the mountains beyond.
There is a small visitor centre and car park at Ynyslas (charges apply in season). The dune walks range from short accessible paths to longer routes across the reserve. Estuary bird watching is good here, particularly in autumn and winter — oystercatchers, dunlin, curlew and occasional rarities are recorded regularly.
The Cors Dyfi nature reserve and the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust’s osprey project at Dyfi Osprey Project are a short drive east from Ynyslas — worth combining if you are interested in wildlife.
Getting There
By train: The Cambrian Line runs from Aberystwyth north through Borth to Dovey Junction. Borth station is in the village, a 5-minute walk from the beach. Journey time is around 20 minutes. Check current timetables before planning a return time — services are not frequent and missing a train means a longer wait. Note: Ynyslas itself has no train station; you access it via Borth on foot (around 3 miles north along the beach) or by car.
By car: Take the A487 north from Aberystwyth. Borth is about 8 miles and 15 minutes by road. Ynyslas is signposted from Borth village. There is a pay car park at the Ynyslas dunes.
On foot (coast path): The Wales Coast Path runs from Aberystwyth north over Constitution Hill to Clarach Bay and on to Borth. This is a substantial walk — around 8–9 miles one way, involving climbs and exposed sections. Most people take the train to Borth and walk back to Aberystwyth or walk sections rather than the full route. See the full walk guide.
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