Castell Dinas Brân occupies a steep hill rising sharply from the Dee valley above Llangollen. The ruins themselves are minimal — a few walls and towers — but the position is spectacular. On a clear day you can see across the Vale of Llangollen to the Berwyn Mountains, over the English border into Shropshire, and down the valley towards the distant flat lands of Cheshire.
The walk from the town takes 20 to 30 minutes up a clear path. It is steep but not technical. The summit at around 300 metres gives views that reward the effort, and the castle walls, though mostly fallen, still define the shape of the defences. Early morning in summer, before the cloud builds, is the best time for the views. The castle is freely accessible at all times.