Looking for stone circles in North Wales to explore on a walk? Visiting the Druid’s Circle above Penmaenmawr inspired me to discover more of these ancient sites, from hillside circles with unbelievable views to monuments on Anglesey. This collection brings together places I’ve visited and others on my list, with links to my walking guides where available.
Alongside stone circles, I’ve included related prehistoric monuments such as ring cairns and burial chambers. They aren’t all the same type of site, but each offers a fascinating reason to get outside and explore North Wales.
Meini Hirion – The Druid’s Circle
Penmaenmawr
The Druid’s Circle, also known as Meini Hirion, sits in the hills above Penmaenmawr. This is the walk that inspired me to explore more of North Wales’s ancient sites believed to be over 6000 years old. On this walk you may also spot the fabulous Carneddau ponies grazing nearby.
My shorter route starts from the small parking area at the top of Mountain Lane, near the Jubilee Path at Foel Lus. Allow around an hour to reach the circle and a few hours for the return walk, including time to explore. My full guide includes a route map, parking details and a step-by-step video, plus options for a longer circular walk.
Moel Ty Uchaf,
Llandrillo, Denbighshire
Moel Tŷ Uchaf sits on a hillside above Llandrillo, with lovely views across the Dee Valley and towards the Berwyn Mountains. I visited with my dogs and had the circle to myself, it’s a memorable spot to pause and take in the landscape.
The walk starts in Llandrillo and climbs steadily uphill, mainly along a farm track. There’s village parking, and my full guide includes the starting point, an OS Maps route, photographs and a video. Expect an uphill walk rather than a roadside stop, and keep dogs on leads around the sheep.
Bryn Cader Faner
Talsarnau, Gwynedd
Bryn Cader Faner’s outward-leaning stones look like a crown against the surrounding hills. This prehistoric burial cairn near Talsarnau was somewhere I’d wanted to visit for a long time, and the setting made it every bit as memorable as I’d hoped.
My walk is approximately three miles (4.8 km) return, taking around one and a half to two hours. It follows tracks and grassy paths across open moorland, with uneven ground, stiles and sections that can become very boggy. The small parking area is reached along a long, narrow single-track lane. My full guide includes the parking location, OS Maps route, photographs and a video of the walk.
Its name is thought to mean “the hill of the throne with the flag”. A fitting name for such a dramatic place.
Bryn Celli Ddu, Anglesey, a tomb on an earlier stone-circle site
Bryn Celli Ddu is a fascinating ancient site. It is located on the North Welsh island of Anglesey, near the village of Llanddaniel Fab. Its name means “the mound in the dark grove”.
Visitors can walk through a stone passage into the burial chamber at the heart of the mound. Inside, there’s a strange upright stone and a copy of the “Pattern Stone,” which is carved with flowing, snake-like designs. The site is included in this list because it was once a stone circle. It may have been used to mark the summer solstice when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky.
Excavated in the late 1920s, Bryn Celli Ddu is now protected as a major Neolithic monument. It is cared for by Cadw, the Welsh heritage organisation.
Another prehistoric site nearby
Capel Garmon
Betws y Coed, Conwy
Capel Garmon is a rare and intriguing Neolithic tomb tucked away in north Wales. What makes it unusual is its location. Most tombs of this kind are found much further south, in the Cotswold-Severn area. Thus, its presence here is a bit of a mystery.
A 5-metre (16-foot) passage leads into a triple burial chamber. One of the rooms is covered with a large stone slab, called a capstone. Around the tomb, a ring of stones indicates the location of a huge earth mound. This mound was about 30 metres (100 feet) wide and once covered the entire structure.
Check Cadw’s current visiting information for Capel Garmon
Which ancient sites in North Wales have you enjoyed visiting? I’m always looking for another stone circle or burial chamber to explore on a walk. Leave a comment with your recommendations—I’d love to hear what made the place memorable.
Explore more historical walks in North Wales
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