Dolbadarn Castle
Gwynedd, Wales
Photo: Beep boop beep, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Beep boop beep, CC BY-SA 4.0 ยท The Library of Congress, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Cadw
- Condition
- Partial ruin
- Access
- Free, open access
- Nearest station
- Bangor (Gwynedd), 7.4 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- Welsh princes' round tower overlooking Llyn Padarn, Llanberis; free
Pinpoint
A4086, Caernarfon LL55 4UB
Telephone 01443 336000
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| 1st April - 31st March | Open all year |
Open all year - during reasonable daylight hours
Checked against the official page on 13 August 2026.
A single round tower built by the Welsh princes of Gwynedd to guard the pass into Snowdonia, standing above Llyn Padarn on the edge of Llanberis. It's small and free to visit, but the tower still has its spiral staircase intact, so you can climb to the top for a view down the lake and out over the old slate quarries.
At a glance
Worth the trip
The view from the top of the tower over Llyn Padarn and the Dinorwig quarry - reviewers rate it among the best free viewpoints in Snowdonia.
Before you go
The path up can be slippery and muddy, so wear proper shoes; parking is close (about 100m) and reviewers say it's rarely crowded even midweek.
What visitors say
Dolbadarn Castle reviews · 4.7 / 5 across 1,284 Google reviews
Reviewers consistently praise Dolbadarn Castle's setting in the Snowdonia foothills, with the lake and mountain views from its spiral staircase tower cited repeatedly as the highlight, all while noting it's free to enter and rarely crowded.
One visitor mentions the walk up can be slippery and muddy, so appropriate footwear is worth bringing, but otherwise the sentiment is uniformly positive.
“Wonderful place. The castle ruin is impressive, the views are fantastic and the surrounding forest is stunningly beautiful.”- Frank D. J. Eriksen-Miller, visitor review
Getting in - what Cadw says
Level 3 - Moderate. 10-25 minute walk from parking along farm tracks that can be muddy and uneven, with steep final route to castle entrance. Local authority paying public car park available across the road.
Taken from Cadw’s own website and read 28 July 2026 - check the current version. Access can change with building work, weather and staffing - if the visit depends on it, ring ahead.
History
Llywelyn the Great · late 12th century
Constructed by Llywelyn the Great in the late 12th or early 13th century, Dolbadarn's distinctive 50-foot round tower commanded the strategic Llanberis Pass between Caernarfon and the Conwy Valley. The tower's circular design was likely inspired by Marcher castles, distinguishing it from typical Welsh fortifications of the era.
Drawn from Cadw's own page.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “The walk up from the car park is short but quite steep, so be prepared for a bit of a climb.” - Yusra Aijaz
Common questions about Dolbadarn Castle
Where is Dolbadarn Castle?
Dolbadarn Castle is in Gwynedd, Wales, at A4086, Caernarfon LL55 4UB.
Is Dolbadarn Castle free to visit?
Yes - Dolbadarn Castle is a free, open-access site with no ticket booth, looked after by Cadw. There may still be a charge for nearby parking, and open-access arrangements can change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel.
What is the highlight of visiting Dolbadarn Castle?
The view from the top of the tower over Llyn Padarn and the Dinorwig quarry - reviewers rate it among the best free viewpoints in Snowdonia.
Is Dolbadarn Castle a ruin or still intact?
Dolbadarn Castle is a partial ruin - Welsh princes' round tower overlooking Llyn Padarn, Llanberis; free.
