Walker stumbles upon ‘forgotten’ UK quarry and uncovers a stunning hidden find inside
- UK Hidden Gems
- Nov 10, 2025
- 2 min read
Adventurers from all over head to Wales for its incredible scenery and exciting outdoor experiences.
But one local explorer recently came across something truly breathtaking, not long after finding an abandoned farmhouse.
Dan, known online as the Welsh Hiker, has built a following for sharing his walks and hidden discoveries across Wales, but his latest find left him amazed.
In a new TikTok video, Dan shared how he came across Dinorwic Quarry (also known as Dinorwig Quarry), a huge former slate quarry located between the villages of Llanberis and Dinorwig in Gwynedd.
Sitting high above Llyn Peris and Llyn Padarn, it was once the second-largest slate quarry in the world, operating from 1787 until 1969, according to Wales Slate.
While much of its industrial past still remains, Dan explained that the area has now become a popular spot for walkers and climbers. However, locals have recently expressed frustration about the growing number of tourists visiting the site.
In his latest video, Dan filmed his exploration of the quarry and said viewers would hardly believe what he found inside. Although parts of the quarry’s history are still visible, he described the scenery as absolutely breathtaking.
Dan said the area offers “stunning views of the surrounding mountains and lakes,” and it’s easy to see why he wanted to share it. The video has received hundreds of likes and plenty of comments from people admiring its beauty.
One person wrote: “Amazing video of a very special place.” Another said: “Great place to explore. You could spend hours there.”
A third viewer joked: “And the goats are blinkin’ massive,” to which Dan replied: “Massive but cool.”
The quarry, which ran for nearly 200 years, features more than 30 terraces or galleries connected by old railway tracks, a reminder of its industrial past.
After the quarry shut down in 1969, the site was taken over by a company that built a hydroelectric power station nearby, which helped preserve many of the original buildings.
The Australia Gallery, with its old mill building and 1920s electric machinery, still stands today.
Although Dinorwic Quarry is often described as abandoned, it’s far from forgotten. The site now attracts visitors for hiking, climbing and exploring – and it even houses an active power station hidden among the dramatic Welsh landscape.
Remember - LeaveNoTrace!
As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!
Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.
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