Dolbadarn Castle Castle
12th-century Welsh castle guarding Llanberis pass.
Beside the Llanberis Pass, Dolbadarn Castle is a compact 13th‑century Welsh fortress overlooking Llyn Padarn. Visitors explore the ruin and use the site as a starting point for walks into Snowdonia.
Dolbadarn Castle at a Glance#
Address: Dolbadarn Castle, near Llanberis and Llyn Padarn, Snowdonia, Gwynedd, Wales
Hours: Open for external access year-round; interior access limited
Admission: Typically free to visit the ruin; parking or site interpretation may have small charges depending on local arrangements
About Dolbadarn Castle#
Dolbadarn Castle is a 13th-century Welsh stronghold near Llanberis in Snowdonia, notable for its cylindrical tower keep perched on a volcanic rock. It was constructed as a defensive site controlling the Llanberis Pass and surrounding routes.
The surviving stone tower and fragmentary curtain walls form the main visible remains and are a focal point for visitors interested in medieval Welsh history and early 13th-century fortress architecture. The site is compact and commonly visited as part of explorations of Snowdonia.
Dolbadarn was built in the early 1200s by Llywelyn the Great to secure control of strategic approaches in Gwynedd; it later passed into English hands during the campaigns of the late 13th century and fell out of military use thereafter.
The castle lies beside the road above the village of Llanberis in Gwynedd, Wales, adjacent to Llyn Padarn and within the foothills of Snowdonia National Park.
- Viewpoint: The castle’s cylindrical keep sits on a volcanic outcrop and offers clear views down the Llanberis valley and over Llyn Padarn to Snowdon and the Glyderau on good days.
How to Get to Dolbadarn Castle#
From Llanberis (approx. 1-2 miles), follow local roads up the Llanberis Pass toward the A4086; the castle is signposted and reachable on foot from the village or by a short drive. The site lies within Snowdonia National Park.
Tips for Visiting Dolbadarn Castle#
- Arrive early to photograph Dolbadarn's round tower in soft light - the keep's silhouette is most dramatic at sunrise and late afternoon.
- The castle sits beside the Llanberis Pass - combine a visit with a walk along Llyn Padarn or a ride on the Snowdon Mountain Railway from Llanberis.
- Respect fragile stones: avoid climbing on unmarked sections of the ruin and follow any conservation signage.
Best Time to Visit Dolbadarn Castle#
Late spring through early autumn for the best walking weather and access.
Weather & Climate near Dolbadarn Castle#
Dolbadarn Castle's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 19°C. Abundant rainfall (1228 mm/year), wettest in November.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 2° - 7° | -1° | 120 mm | overcast | 87% | 6.3 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.9h |
| February | Poor | 1° - 7° | 0° | 89 mm | overcast | 87% | 6.1 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.6h |
| March | Poor | 3° - 9° | 2° | 108 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.6 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 4° - 11° | 5° | 75 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.7 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.8h |
| May | Acceptable | 7° - 15° | 11° | 70 mm | overcast | 83% | 4.8 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.7h |
| June | Good | 9° - 17° | 13° | 75 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.4 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.7h |
| July | Good | 11° - 19° | 15° | 80 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.3 m/s | 1.3 high | 16.2h |
| August | Good | 11° - 19° | 15° | 96 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.2 m/s | 1.0 high | 14.6h |
| September | Good | 9° - 16° | 13° | 108 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.5 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 7° - 13° | 10° | 130 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.5 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.4h |
| November | Poor | 4° - 10° | 4° | 144 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.5 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.4h |
| December | Poor | 3° - 7° | 1° | 133 mm | overcast | 87% | 5.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.3h |
