Sand Dune walks

When discovering the Wales Coast Path, you’re bound to find yourself exploring beaches and sand dunes. Walking on sand can be a physical challenge but it also reaps rewards.

As well as being important wildlife havens, dunes are the perfect place to grab some peace and quiet on your walks.

Read our sand dune blog about why they are important for wildlife and the work being done to protect them.

Take the time to sit, relax and recharge in the dunes before restarting your onward journey. You’ll have some unique dune wildlife to keep you company. Here's where you can walk the path and discover sand dunes along the way.

North Wales coast and Dee Estuary

Explore the Talacre dune system on the Talacre Toad walk, these dunes are a wildlife hotspot and a popular destination for visitors and tourists alike.

Llyn and Snowdonia coast

Follow the coast path from Portmeirion to Black Rock Sands or Borth y Gest to Black Rock Sands to look over to Morfa Harlech, which are internationally important dunes as you pass the smaller dunes of Morfa Bychan.

Enjoy the stunning views over Morfa Harlech sand dunes while travelling from St Tannwg to Llanbedr.

From Harlech to Dyffryn Ardudwy you will pass through both Morfa Harlech and Morfa Dyffryn, both sand dunes of international importance.

Anglesey

Along the Llanddwyn Island route, you’ll see Newborough Warren, one of the largest open dune systems in Wales and walk through Newborough  Forest which was planted on dunes in  the 20^th century.  There are lots of opportunities to see dune flowers in season with herds of ponies and cattle which help graze the land.

During a walk from Aberffraw to Porth Cwyfan – you will see the dunes at Aberffraw Common which are a haven for wildlife,If you continue on from Aberffraw to Rhosneigr  you’ll be able to see both Tywyn Fferam and Tywyn Llyn sand dunes.

Carmarthen Bay

You will see views over Pendine Burrows on the Laugharne circular walk. The burrows are an internationally-important sand dune and a  wildlife haven with a herd of deer. Be mindful that Pendine Range is a Ministry of Defence (MOD) site and most of the dunes are out of bounds.

Laugharne was home to the renowned Welsh writer Dylan Thomas. From the viewpoint on the Pendine Sands walk, you’ll see Pendine Burrows, the largest dune system in West Wales, to the east of Pendine village.

The western end of the Millennium Coastal Path passes through a small part of the Carmarthen Bay Dunes near the golf club and wider parts of Pembrey Country Park.

Walking from Kidwelly to Burry Port you can discover parts of Carmarthen Bay Dunes Special Area of Conservation at Pembrey.

Swansea

Finish your journey along the Penclawdd to Llanmadog section of the coastal path close to Whiteford Burrows, a Special Area of Conservation and National Nature Reserve.

South Wales coast – Bridgend county

Visit one of the biggest dunes systems in South Wales after you walk from Trecco Bay to Porthcawl marina. This walk finishes at one of the entrance points to Merthyr Mawr dunes, home to the ‘Big Dipper’ - the tallest sand dune in Wales.

Following either of our routes from Porthcawl to Ogmore by Sea or Newton to Candleston will allow you to pass right through Merthyr Mawr dune system where you can see it’s wildlife, and ongoing restoration works.

Experience Kenfig National Nature Reserve on the local section of the coastal path where you can walk entirely within Kenfig Burrows, a National Nature Reserve and Special Area of Conservation, run by the Kenfig Corporation Trust.

Thank you to the Dynamic Dunescapes and Sands of LIFE teams for putting together the list of sand dune related itineraries.