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Clwydian Range and Vale of ClwydGronant Dunes
The only little tern colony in Wales, on a dune system between Prestatyn and the Dee estuary, with wardens on site through the breeding season.
- Distance
- 3.1 mi / 5 km
- Time
- 1 hr 40
- Ascent
- 20 m
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Shape
- There and back
Where it is
The circle shows the general area, not the exact start. Use the directions link below to get to the car park itself. Contours and paths shown are OpenTopoMap, drawn from OpenStreetMap data.
The route
A track runs through the dunes and along the beach from the car park. Flat, with soft sand in places.
Worth knowing
- Little terns nest on the shingle from May to July and the colony is fenced and wardened. Keep well back and keep dogs on leads.
- Natterjack toads also breed in the dune slacks here.
- The beach runs east towards Talacre and its lighthouse.
What you’ll see
The tern colony from the viewing area, dune slacks, and the Dee estuary east.
Background
The Gronant colony is the only regular little tern breeding site in Wales and has been wardened since the 1970s.