By Alaric 
One of the most overlooked castles in Eyri National Park is the evocative Dolbadarn Castle in Llanberis.
This lone tower on a lofty plain may not look like much today but it used to be a powerful symbol of Welsh identity and strength.
It was built by Llywelyn ap Lorwerth or Prince Llywelyn the Great, a powerful ruler who united Wales in the 13th century.
It’s now a romantic ruin that you can visit with gorgeous views of the Snowdonia mountain range and Llyn Padarn!
Here is how to visit Dolbadarn Castle, one of the most underrated castles in North Wales.
The history of Dolbadarn Castle
This castle was built by Llywelyn ap Lorwerth sometime in the early 13th century around 1220 – 1230.
As the ruler of the ancient kingdom of Gwynedd, it was of the utmost importance to defend his territory against impending enemies.
This location was chosen as it was the perfect place to guard an important route in Eyri which was the Llanberis Pass.
This was the trail inland from the seaport of Caernarfon to the upper Conwy Valley.
At the time, this keep was an important symbol of Llywelyn’s power and political authority.
Even after his death, his grandson Llywelyn took over power and is rumoured to have imprisoned his brother Owain ap Gruffudd at Dolbadarn.
His other brother Dafydd ap Gruffydd became prince in 1283 but was forced to retreat to Eyri by King Edward I.
Dafydd held his government at Dolbadarn Castle but Edward later had him captured and executed during the second Welsh War of Independence.
Dolbadarn was then dismantled with many of the wooden beams being used to build Caernarfon Castle.
This was part of Edward’s ‘Iron Ring of Castles’ that was constructed in his strategy to bring Wales under English rule.
Over time, this native castle was forgotten and fell into decline with the chapters of time.
It became a romantic ruin which was popular with artists like J. M. W. Turner and today only a lone tower and the stone foundations remain.
It’s owned and protected by Cadw and is a Grade I listed building that is open to the public.
How to get to Dolbadarn Castle
You can visit this incredible fortress by heading to Llanberis in Eyri National Park.
This is the adrenaline capital of North Wales as you can find lots of outdoor activities around the Snowdon Mountain Range.
The keep can be found at the north end of Llyn Padarn near the Snowdonia Mountain Railway Station.
You can’t drive directly to the castle as it’s located high up on a mound. So, you will need to park nearby and then walk the rest of the way.
Where do you park to visit?
There are a few car parks located near Dolbadarn Castle that you can use.
These all come with an all-day charge instead of an hourly rate as most people use the car parks in Llanberis to climb Snowdon.
The closest car park would be Dolbadarn Castle Parc Padarn Car Park which is right next to the walking trail. This is £6 for all-day parking.
Alternatively, you can park in the National Slate Museum car park for £4 all day. But, this makes your walk a little longer.
If you’re looking for free car parking in Llanberis, the Maes Parcio Padarn car park is free near the Lonely Tree.
But, you’ll be walking around 30 minutes to get to the castle on a path that loops Llyn Padarn.
The walk up to Dolbadarn Castle
From the nearest car park, the walk up to Dolbadarn Castle should only take you around 5-10 minutes.
Cross the road from the car park and then walk through a gate where you’ll cross a slate footbridge over a babbling stream.
From here, you will need to walk up some steps and then the last part of the walk will be a steep concrete path through the trees.
You’ll eventually see the round tower come into view. So, keep heading up the hill towards it until you see another entry gate.
You’ll immediately see an information board at the entrance with some history about the castle.
This is worth reading to get some context on why the castle was built by Llywelyn ap Lorwerth all those centuries ago.
When you’re ready, you can then climb up the mound towards the keep.
Exploring the castle grounds
You’ll need to climb up a bit of a steep grassy mound to reach the castle ruins.
Depending on the time of year this can be quite slippery with mud so watch your step.
You’re then free to explore the castle which is mostly stone foundations which outline what the original structure used to look like.
Centuries ago this castle had a portcullis to access the keep, a Great Hall with a fireplace, kitchens and many other rooms that made up the fortress.
This may be an unpopular opinion but I sometimes prefer ruined castles as you can really imagine the life that used to go on here centuries ago.
Entering the keep
The only part of the original keep that remains today is a solitary tower that you can access.
Climb up the steps and you’ll be greeted with a fabulous view over Llyn Padarn.
You can then head inside the round tower to see the inside from a small balcony.
The keep is roofless but you can still see the windows and inlets in the walls where rooms used to be.
At the top of the tower, you can see slits in the fortification. These gaps were used by archers to fire arrows at encroaching enemies.
Also, you may see some chutes at the bottom of the tower. This is where the castle toilets were emptied. Lovely!
Climb up the tower for an amazing view
It’s easy to miss but there is an opening inside the tower wall with some steps that you can use to climb to the top.
Now, I would be careful here as these steps are quite narrow and uneven.
You should also check if there are already people up there as it’s a very small space with room for only a few people at a time.
But, the effort is worth it for the elevated views. You can see a gorgeous view over Dinorwic Quarry, and Llyn Padarn.
Magical views over Llyn Padarn
For me, what makes Dolbadarn Castle so special is its spectacular surroundings.
You can walk around the castle to see the old foundations which provide some of the best views of the area.
The dramatic Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) mountain will be towering over you which is the tallest mountain in all of Wales.
You can also see over Llyn Padarn which is mired in myth. Legend says this is where King Arthur threw his sword Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake!
It’s the perfect place to relax and have a picnic surrounded by nature.
The Witcher Series 4 filming location
As a huge fan of The Witcher series, I was so happy that the production team filmed parts of the show in North Wales.
In the summer, Liam Hemsworth and others were spotted filming at this castle and other areas around Llanberis including Penrhyn Quarry.
It’s not been confirmed what this castle will be used for in The Witcher but it’s easy to see why they chose this epic location.
This ruin does look like something straight out of the Witcherverse! I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Is Dolbadarn Castle free to visit?
Yes, the great thing about visiting this incredible castle in Llanberis is that it’s completely free to visit.
Although it is owned by Cadw they don’t charge a fee. It makes a great budget activity in North Wales.
According to the website, Dolbadarn Castle is also open from 10 am – 4 pm every day of the week. The last entry is 30 minutes before closing.
My top tips for visiting
- Wear sensible shoes – the walk up to the castle and around the mound is quite steep and can be quite slippery. Wear sensible shoes to visit.
- Prepare for all weather – In Wales, you can experience four seasons in one day and this castle is exposed to the elements.
- Bring drinks and snacks – there are no facilities at the castle. Bring supplies but remember to take all your rubbish with you.
- It’s dog friendly – You can bring your dogs with you and walk the grounds of the castle but make sure to keep them on a lead.
Is Dolbadarn Castle worth visiting?
Yes, many people overlook this attraction in Llanberis thinking that there isn’t much to this medieval ruin.
Do not make this mistake. There is so much more to Dolbadarn Castle than first meets the eye.
It’s a castle straight from a fairytale that also has so much history to offer you on Welsh history. It feels like stepping back in time.
The real treasure of visiting this keep is the romantic views that you can get from the fortress.
This is easily one of my favourite castles in all of Wales and I wouldn’t skip it on a visit to Eyri National Park!
Are looking for more things to do in Llanberis?
There are so many amazing things to do in and around Llanberis.
It’s the hub of Eyri National Park and it’s your gateway to the Snowdonia Massif range.
You can take the Snowdonia Mountain Railway or visit the National Slate Museum.
Talking of slate, one of my favourite attractions in Llanberis is Dinorwic Quarry.
It’s a great walk that takes you through a disused slate quarry and has a spectacular viewpoint over the area.
You can also visit the Anglesey Barracks, also known as Snowdonia’s Forgotten Street.
After, you can take a scenic stroll around Llyn Padarn and Padarn Country Park.
The most famous spot is the Lonely Tree which sits on the lakeside. I have a post with directions.
You can see the Blade of the Giants on your way. Or, why not take in the sights with a Scenic Lake Railway journey?
Or, head over to the hidden gem of Ceunant Mawr Waterfall. It’s an easy hike to one of the most impressive waterfalls in Eyri!
There is an endless choice of activities to enjoy with a visit here. So, make sure you plan enough time to explore.
Read more of my North Wales guides
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A complete Swallow Falls guide
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A complete Conwy Falls & cafe guide
A complete guide for the Conwy Town Walls
How to do the Llyn Idwal Circular Walk
A complete guide for the Dinas Emrys Walk & Dragon legend
How to see the Bodnant Garden Laburnum Arch
How to visit Pistyll Rhaeadr Waterfall
Gladstone’s Library – Stay in the UK’s only residential library
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