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View of Nant Gwynant from Dinas Emrys, Beddgelert, North Wales
View of Nant Gwynant from Dinas Emrys, Beddgelert | © National Trust Images / Gwenno Parry
Wales

The legendary trail of Dinas Emrys

Enjoy a pleasant walk past waterfalls and through beautiful oak woodland to reach this summit of this legendary hill, where Merlin once trod and where a dragon still sleeps. At the top you’ll find remains of a square tower and defensive ramparts belonging to the ancient princes of Gwynedd.

Total steps: 6

Total steps: 6

Start point

Craflwyn National Trust car park, grid ref: SH600489

Step 1

Begin your journey at the Princess of Gwynedd centre at Craflwyn.

Step 2

From the car park take the footpath leading up through the woodland. When the path levels and you reach a fork, take the right and continue until you find a dragon bench. Pause here before continuing along the path and up some steps to the right of a small waterfall.

Signpost to Dinas Emrys beside path leading into woodland in Snowdonia, Wales
Footpath to Dinas Emrys, Wales | © National Trust Images/Gwenno Parry

Step 3

Continue on your journey until you get to a three way junction in an open area. Take the path leading straight ahead, up towards the woodland, and after 100m bear right at the fork. Continue on the path over a small wooden bridge until you get to a beautiful waterfall.

Step 4

Continue until you reach another fork in the path and bear right. You’ll soon reach a stile in the wall on the right. Continue over the stile up into the woods.

Step 5

Continue up through the woods. Follow the zig-zag path up the rocky outcrop towards Dinas Emrys.

Two women walking up steep footpath with bare scrubland and trees to either side
Walkers heading to Dinas Emrys, Wales | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Step 6

You’re nearly there. A few more steps and you’ll reach the top of Dinas Emrys. The final ascent is steep and rocky. When you are ready to return, retrace your steps to the car park.

End point

Craflwyn National Trust car park, grid ref: SH600489

Trail map

Legendary trail of Dinas Emrys, Wales map
Legendary trail of Dinas Emrys, Wales | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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near Beddgelert, Gwynedd, LL55 4NG

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