Snowdonia Slate Quarry Circuit
Welsh slate miners' roads in Snowdon's brutal shadow
The Snowdonia Slate Quarry Circuit follows century-old mining roads carved into the flanks of Snowdon, connecting the massive slate quarries at Blaenau Ffestiniog with Llanberis Pass. These tracks were blasted from solid rock by Welsh miners hauling slate down to the narrow-gauge railways, with some sections still showing the original horse-drawn cart ruts. The route threads between Dinorwig’s terraced quarry faces and Penrhyn’s flooded pits, crossing exposed ridges where weather can turn deadly in minutes.
Expert difficulty demands serious preparation — conditions shift from clear to white-out fog without warning, and the exposed moorland offers zero shelter. Modified 4×4 essential with recovery gear, GPS, and emergency supplies. Avoid winter completely; even summer brings sudden storms. Permission required from Crown Estate for some sections. No services for 40 miles once you’re committed. This is about experiencing industrial Wales at its most raw and unforgiving.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote |
| Length (miles) | 34 mi / 55 km |
| Duration | 2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3300 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with recovery gear |
| Nearest town | Llanberis, Gwynedd |
| Land manager | Snowdonia National Park Authority |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.