Morfa Harlech

Morfa Harlech is one of two extensive sand dune systems which make up much of the soft Meirionnydd coastline, extending form the Mawddach estuary in the south to Black Rock Sands in the north west. For many, the view across Morfa Harlech from the main road, south of the reserve, is one of the finest in Wales.
In fairly recent times the sea lapped at the base of the cliff on which Harlech Castle stands, but the accumulation of sand and the development of the dunes gradually pushed the shoreline westward.

Today, Morfa Harlech is considered one of the most important actively growing dune systems in Britain and is highly protected, forming part of the Morfa Harlech and Morfa Dyffryn SAC, Morfa Harlech SSSI and the Pen Llŷn a’r Sarnau SAC.

Grid Ref: SH560349 Area: 880.73 hectares

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Visiting

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Mike Alexander, ©CCW}

There are public footpaths to the shore. Parts of the reserve are fenced in order to allow controlled grazing and to protect the specialist sand dune vegetation.

We are trying to keep a balance between public enjoyment of the area without damaging the fragile dunes and sensitive wildlife.

How to get there

The reserve lies west of Harlech on the A496. A minor road leads to a pay-and-display car park, from where a short footpath leads to the beach.

Public Transport
For public transport information contact Traveline Cymru on 0871 2002233.

_{Photo by

Mike Alexander, ©CCW}

Facilities

_{Photo by

Mike Alexander, ©CCW}

None on site.
There are toilets, shops and cafés in Harlech.

There is a Council run and maintained car park and toilet at Min y Don near the main access to the beach.

Who looks after it?

The Snowdonia National Park Authority manages the reserve. You can contact the Authority by telephoning 01766 770274 or by e-mailing parc@snowdonia-npa.gov.uk

You can contact CCW’s Northern Team via our enquiries helpline, 0845 1306229, e-mail, enquiries@ccw.gov.uk or write to us under the ‘Contact the team’ section on this website.

Wildlife

_{Photo by

Mike Alexander, ©CCW}

Morfa Harlech is one of Britain's few accreting sand dune systems, due to the long-shore drift which is currently eroding the dunes at Morfa Dyffryn.

There is a range of sand dune communities, and extensive dune slacks which support many nationally scarce/rare plant and invertebrate species, such as Welsh mudwort and the dwarf spike rush. Spring and summer are the best times to see many of the flowering plants that make the dune grasslands and slacks their home.

The habitat is important for several sand dune specialist invertebrates, including the nationally rare mining bee Colletes cunicularius, and for reptiles such as the common lizard and the much rarer sand lizard which was recently re-introduced to the area.

The reserve includes a large part of the Glaslyn/Dwyryd estuary. Here, the sand flats and salt marsh are important winter wildfowl feeding grounds – the numbers of overwintering pintail are nationally significant. Otters and water voles use the estuary’s waterways. And the lower shore muddy gravel is the home of sand gaper clams and bristle worms.