Dinorwic Quarry

Dinorwic Quarry is a former slate quarry in Gwynedd, Wales, extending across 283 hectares (700 acres) between two villages. The site divides into two main sections, each containing 20 galleries carved into the hillside.

Commercial extraction began here in 1787 through a private partnership and grew into the largest slate mine in the world. Operations reached their height in the early 20th century with around 91,000 tonnes (100,000 tons) produced annually.

The site takes its Welsh name from the nearby village and today marks an accessible monument to the slate industry. Visitors encounter the steep working faces and terraces that generations of workers carved into the mountainside.

Several walking trails lead from Padarn Country Park uphill to the working areas and the preserved Anglesey Barracks. The paths vary in steepness and require solid footwear, especially during wet conditions.

The terrain now serves climbers as a training ground with routes like The Quarryman stretching across the old working faces. Multiple levels offer different difficulty grades for climbers with varying experience.

Location: Gwynedd

Inception: 1787

GPS coordinates: 53.12307,-4.09598

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:26