Dinorwic Quarry & Dolbadarn Castle Loop, Llanberis

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Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 8.2 km (5.1 miles)

Approx. duration: 2-3 hrs

Parking: Paid (Google Maps)

Dogs: Yes – On lead near livestock

From Perthi Holiday Cottages: 35-minute drive

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UNESCO Dinorwic quarry views with Llyn Padarn below

This fascinating circular walk explores the vast remains of Dinorwic Quarry before looping past Dolbadarn Castle, combining industrial heritage, medieval history, and striking mountain scenery above Llanberis.

You’re in the right place if you’re looking for a moderate, low-level walk with clear paths and plenty to explore, rather than a high mountain route. Expect some uneven ground within the quarry but no technical terrain.

The walk passes through Dinorwic Quarry, part of the UNESCO-listed slate landscape of North Wales and once one of the largest slate quarries in the world. The scale of the site is immediately striking, with terraces, inclines, and ruined buildings spreading across the hillside.

One of the most notable features is the Anglesey Barracks, a long line of former workers’ accommodation that hints at the size of the workforce once employed here. Wandering through the quarry offers a powerful insight into the industrial history that shaped the region.

From the quarry, the route continues to Dolbadarn Castle, a 12th-century fortress built by Llywelyn the Great. Set above Llyn Padarn, the castle provides a dramatic contrast to the industrial landscape and a natural place to pause and take in the views.

From the castle, there are excellent outlooks towards Yr Wyddfa, the Pen y Pass valley, and across Llyn Padarn, bringing together mountain, lake, and history in a single scene. The loop then returns gently towards Llanberis, completing a walk that weaves together centuries of Welsh life and landscape.

“We’ve chosen this particular route because it approaches the quarry from a less-used direction, which means it’s quieter both on the way up and coming back down. I won’t pretend the section next to the road near the end is the highlight — but Dolbadarn Castle waiting for you at the end makes it absolutely worth it. One of those walks where the finish genuinely rewards the effort.” — Delyth, Perthi Holiday Cottages

Our 17th-century cottages sit just above Beddgelert, with walking routes straight from the door.

Step-by-Step Walk Guide

Numbered steps with photos to help you follow the route.

Begin your walk at the first car park you pass on the way into Padarn Country Park (pay and display). From the car park, follow the main road until you reach a small roundabout, where you can go left towards the Llanberis Slate Museum or right towards Dinorwig Power Station.
Turn right on the small roundabout and just before the barriers to the power station. The path (pictured) goes up left into the woods between slate walls.
Follow the path steeply uphill between more slate walls and woods. Make sure not to miss the Anglesey Barracks (pictured) when in the woods; the turning is off right and the barracks can be seen from the main path.
After the woods, the path turns into a single track lane passing some houses before emerging out in the open by a large lay-by/bus stop. Beside the bus stop (pictured), go through the gate which takes you into the quarry.
Follow the easy path, passing a large quarry building on your left. Then take a right along the long straight path to the viewpoint of Llyn Padarn.
After the viewpoint come back along the long straight path and go directly through the square kissing gate straight in front. Then follow the clear track between two fences which takes you through the quarry.
After the fairly flat path through the quarry, the path descends in a zig-zag fashion down towards the Llyn Peris lake and the main road. When you arrive by the main road turn right along the pavement, high up above the lake, all the way back to Llanberis.
Begin your walk at the first car park you pass on the way into Padarn Country Park (pay and display). From the car park, follow the main road until you reach a small roundabout, where you can go left towards the Llanberis Slate Museum or right towards Dinorwig Power Station.

17th-Century Cottages in Beddgelert

Rated 4.98 on Airbnb from over 300 guest reviews

Ty Hebog historical barn conversion exterior at Perthi in Beddgelert Cosy log burner interior at Ty Hebog cottage Luxury king size bedroom with original historic character at Ty Felin water mill

Stay in a converted water mill, a historic barn or a mountain lodge on Delyth’s family farm above the village — with wide Eryri views and walking routes from the door.