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: 
N
Sites officer: 
Gareth Aston
Grid Ref: 
SH566577
Takeoff Height: 
350m
Landing Height: 
280m
Top to bottom: 
70m

Moel Eilio is a conical hill overlooking Llanberis to the North, and is strategically well placed for XC flights to Snowdon and beyond. Do not land in the bowl on the east side of the spur (the one with the lake) as this land is out of bounds to us. Equally, do not take off on the eastern side of the take-off spur.

Getting to take-off: 

For the more sensitive parking place and access to the main N and NW takeoffs turn off Llanberis high street at the Joe Brown "Corner Shop". First right. First left. Keep going, through a gate, (please close after going through) 'till the road turns into a track. You're there (SH 567 595). This is a small, tarmaced parking bay that you might think holds ten cars if packed in double. It doesn't. It holds about three, four if parked well! Any more and the farmer can't turn his trailer round and, justifiably, gets pissed off. He's a great guy so don't upset him. If this place has more than three cars in it there's a lay-by 300yds back down the hill. If parked at right angles to the road we can squeeze about three cars in this spot.

Finally, as a last option, go back up the road to the sharp right hand bend where it turns into a track. Between the bend and the gate above you'll see a sloping field on the right. Drive onto the edge of the field and park. Do not drive further into this field than is absolutely necessary! Try not to scuff up the grass with tyres. The field should only be used when the other options are full. When parking anywhere here please don't block the road or track and don't block any openings into fields especially the openings into and opposite the derelict by the parking bay. Do try to share lifts up to the parking area. Phew! We're out of the car. Just below the small tarmac parking bay is a track leading towards the bottom of Eilio's main spur. Take this, through the gate, then along for about 200m. Now bear right off the track and up the hill towards a fence-ladder. Over this ladder is the start of the spur and the main take-off area (SH 567 590).

Landing: 

By the ruin next to the parking area. Make sure you have enough height to reach it as there tends to be a lot of sink over the stream.

Don'ts: 
  • Block the lane, gateways or access for the farmer.
  • Fly the east side of the northerly ridge.
  • Overfly low the Chapel of rest or land in the small fields immediately below and N of Take Off. 
Challenges: 
  • Clogwyn Du'r Arddu can be turbulent, especially if there is a northerly element to the wind. Watch the various lakes for clues when you've reached Moel Cynghorion.
Safety: 

The sea breeze affects this hill a lot, but at least it comes onto, (or there abouts) the face of the hill. If soaring early in the day expect the wind to strengthen a lot and quite suddenly as the sea breezes start to work.  The ridge top is narrow on the NW facing rib extending from the TO to the summit of Eilio. 
To sum up… In my opinion there are two main factors that are rather typical of this area that might not be obvious to someone new to flying here.  Taking account of these will probably make your flying safer and give you a better flight.