Wales Low Flying Area 7

1Dinas/Bwlch

The spot which offers the best chance to take pictures is the Bwlch, pronounced as the Bulk. Most aircraft training in Wales will pass this point although there is still no guarantee as they might use Route 4 and 5 as well and exit at Tal-Y-Llyn. To get up here you need to take the A470 towards Dolgellau, pronounced as Dolgetly. After driving on a steep hill with your car, you will see a parking lot on your left hand side. Park your car here and climb over the fence towards the hill which you see a bit to your left. The path is going straight up, on the right side of of the hill. Do not go too fast, as it quite a climb and inexperienced climbers will find themselves exhausted, flat-faced in the grass. Going up here takes you 20 - 30 minutes. There are a number of viewing points up the hill:. You will see so called latches or terraces on different heights from which you can choose.

2Cad East

For the lazy people there is an option which does not involve too much climbing. This one is called Cad East. If you take the A470 you will reach the crossing with the A487 at a certain point. Here you will see an old deserted pub which is called the Cross Foxes Inn. Take the A487 south and after about a kilometre you will see a road going up on your left hand side. To enter this road you will have to go through a gate (do not forget to close it behind you). Follow this road to the end (you have to pass through another gate somewhere halfway) and you will find a small parking on your left. Be aware of the sheep walking freely here. They are quite afraid of cars passing by, but they might do stupid things when they panic. When you parked your car climb the hill on the right side of the road, This will take about 10 minutes and gives you a good overview of the A487 and the Cadair right in front of you. This spot is the best in the morning until about 14:00, as the sun will then be right in front of you. Then it is time to leave and cross the road to Cad West

3Cad West

The steep hill, you see in front of you when you are at spot 2, is known as Cad West. To get here you must follow the A487 from Dolgellau until you will reach a large parking spot on your right. Park your car here, climb the fence and follow the path which leads across the hill. You will have to traverse at the height of about 100 metres high on the hill next to the A487 in the direction of Dolgellau. Walking this way is quite tiring and it will hurt your ankles. After 15 minutes, you will reach the point at which you can go straight up. This will relieve your ankles but it is quite steep. You will reach the best spot in about 20 minutes from here. This is actually the best spot of the whole area as the aircraft will bank towards you before when they pass. Excellent shots can be made here, but be aware that this spot is only good in the afternoon. The distance to the aircraft is the closest here, so a fast reaction speed is vital.

4Corris Corner

To get here, just keep on following the A487. After passing the Minfordd Hotel on your right, the road turns sharp left. On the left side of the road there are two parking spots, a smaller one for only two cars, and a bigger one a few hundred metres down the road for about six cars. In between those parking spots there is a road going up, but only for pedestrians. Climb the fence and follow the path. It is quite steep and it takes about half an hour to get up. You will find some gates on the way. After the third gate, the road turns to the right. Here it is time to leave the path, and go straight over the fence. After about 50 meters you will find the perfect spot. Corris Corner has a view on the lake. The aircraft will come through the Cad pass at your right hand side if you are facing the Tal Y Llyn lake. Then there are two possibilities: The aircraft will go straight over the lake or bank sharp right to turn into the loop. The last option is the most favorable for you, as a photographer, as you will get a nice shot of the aircraft in a steep bank with the lake on the background. The lighting conditions are best until about 13:00, then it is time to leave.