Please be aware this is a members-only site which has a number of restrictions.

• The gate on the Arenig track after it leaves the farm track is locked. You will need to contact Gareth Aston to get access to the key.
• There are no more than three cars to be parked at the parking bay. Room must be left to allow a tractor and trailer to turn.
• There is no parking anywhere else down the track.
• Shut all gates that you open.
• Do not obstruct the track or any gateways.
• Do not drive through the gate past the parking.
• There is a restriction of EIGHT gliders flying on this site at any one time.
• Don't take off or land in the shaded area on the map.

Please don't fly here if you're not a member.

If you are a member, please phone sites officer Gareth Aston on 07879477501 if you've not flown here recently.

In any event, only the westerly bowl is to be flown.

This is a mountain site, it is possible to soar the west slope but usually by around 1pm it is getting very strong and turbulent due to the sea breezes that sweep up from Porthmadog.

It is a classic XC site but is best visited with at least 2 cars that are capable of getting down the dirt track, this way you can leave a car in the layby just where the B4391 meets the A4212. This is an easier place to get a lift back to and means you can give your mate a lift back down the track to get their car, otherwise it is an awfully long walk! The site sea breezes rather badly, usually around 1pm, although it is possible to get away after this it is advisable to be on your way beforehand. The crux is generally the first 10km over the back to Llyn Tegid, don’t leave too low as it rotors badly, especially if there is more of a southerly element to the winds.

Don’t get pushed over the back in compression either as there are vertical cliffs on the East side!

Getting to take-off: 

• Before setting off to Arenig, please contact Gareth to find out about the key to get through the gate. Without the key, it's a very long walk.

Heading in an Easterly direction from Bala to Trawsfynydd on the A4212 1.5km past the junction with the B4391 there is a track on the left as you go around a gentle right handed corner, this is both the entry to Arenig and a farm. Go through the gate and bear left at the fork 170m further on. Follow this rough track staying left through a further 2 gates. When you see an old building on your left follow the track around a sharp left and past the house, through another gate and on until you reach a pull in, just before a gate that takes you out of the trees. Park Here. No more than 3 cars at any time are to be parked here. Space must be left for the farmers to turn their tractors and trailers should they need to. Ensure you do not drive further than this pull in. Ensure you shut all gates that you have passed through.

Walk through the gate and turn to the right following the track up the hill for 350m. Here you will come across a gate and style, the gate may or may not be open, please leave it as you find it. Go through the gate and immediately on your left you will see a small track running directly up the hill. Follow this until you reach the dry stone wall, cross this without destroying it further and head slightly to your right up and across the slope. Take off is anywhere on the slope above you. Please note that this enormous area is the only take off, on this west facing slope.

DO NOT take off on any other sides of the mountain.

Landing: 

You can land anywhere on the west slope and now that the trees have been cut there is ample landing space below the track to the south and north of the parking spot.

Challenges:

Be aware that midweek RAF valley operates extensively in this area, the infamous Mach loop runs over Llyn Tegid and many exercises are carried out over the Berwyns too. An incident with an aircraft could jeopardise all flying in Snowdonia- so why not file a CANP!