Status

Open

Right to roam

The "right to roam" in Wales is currently the same as in England and does not allow access to open access land for the purposes of hang-gliding or paragliding.

The legislation is enacted by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and the section relevant to us is Schedule 2 on page 75:

1. Section 2(1) does not entitle a person to be on any land if, in or on that land, he—

(s) engages in any organised games, or in camping, hang-gliding or paragliding

Primary tabs

Best Wind Cardinal: 
E
Sites officer: 
Gareth Aston
Grid Ref: 
SH648548
Takeoff Height: 
350m
Landing Height: 
60m
Top to bottom: 
290m

This site is mainly useful as an alternative to Moel Berfedd during the lambing ‘no-fly agreement’. It is then imperative that you are both familiar with the area and confident of completing an XC flight without jeopardising the site agreement. During lambing, we suggest that only pilots that have experienced flying to 'The Pump' from Moel Berfedd should use this site. Anyone landing in the out of bounds area marked on the map will incur not only the wrath of the farmer but also the Club. You will damage the agreements we have made.

Whilst not a soaring site in itself, Station 4 provides access to 'The Pump'.

Getting to take-off: 

Getting to Take-off: The nearest parking is at Pen y Pass. Take the Miners Track for 800m until the path bends to the right and a spur leads, on the left, SE towards the valley. Follow the spur down until several small take-offs can be found before a steeper drop. The exact position of takeoff varies according to the wind direction.

Landing: 

If conditions prove to be lighter than expected, either top land on the high plateau between take-off and 'The Pump' or fly down the valley to land in the camp site at the end of the lake. Beware of any rotor behind 'The Pump'. The campsite is attainable on glide from the top of 'The Pump' for most gliders - do not lose too much height searching for a save. DO NOT LAND SHORT.

Don'ts: 
  • Land in the fields North of Llyn Gwynant campsite.
Challenges: 
  • There is no bottom landing field except the campsite so you need to know you will make it.
  • When flying in the Snowdon bowl it can be very turbulent.
  • Beware strong winds when landing at Llyn Gwynant campsite, don’t get blown into the lake.
  • It can be turbulent on the pump.
  • There is a lot of turbulence behind the pump, give it a wide berth if going down to land in the campsite.