The A5 pass

This location is used by Aircraft recovering into RAF Valley from low level, although these are more likely hawks the pass does get its fair share of frontline aircraft.

Click the map below for the larger image.

The main location is above the North western corner of the lake, here aircraft turn sharply in front of you offering great topsides as they round the tight bend. A 300mm is ideal at this location, although the sun may be a little tricky during the Autumn and spring as it hangs low in the sky. In the main car park is a telephone and toilet block. Nearby are plenty of campsites to choose from and the Travelodge at Bangor is only 10 minutes drive from here.

A Hawk pulls hard as he banks before the camera 

Below, Pont Pen-y-benglog' the main location above the lodge. Click the image for a larger picture with routes added.

You can park in a small lay-by 100 yrds down the road from the pay and display car park(£3 all day). From the lay-by climb over the gate and head left and up the path, some stages of this climb require you to be on your hands and knees or climbing over rocks. Top quality footwear is essential all year round. This will probably be the most difficult climb you will have to make in this hobby.   

RAF Hawk from nearby RAF Valley

The view southeast , click the image for the large picture with details

The car parking lay-by and view looking up.

                                       Location 2

Ly n Idwan

This is the small lake/ Tarn above the car park and is not visable from the road as it is 150ft approx off the valley floor. This is not a fantastic location, however it does have the advantage of the sun being behind you all day and it is very easily reached in about 10-15 minutes. You will never get lonely here as it is very popular with tourists. This location offers mainly bottom shots of aircraft as they bank away from you and out over towards Bangor .

To reach the main location here, you can follow the path up towards Lake Idwan and then head right once you are through the gates at the lake. The quickest route is from the car park, at the side of the toilet block is a gap between 2 large rocks, head through here. You will then see a gate/step head over to the right and 5 minutes later you will be on the to largest rocks on that hill side, looking down the valley to view the aircraft as they approach.

A Hawk as he turns in front of you.

The view down the lake.

The view from the lake towards Bangor

                                        Location 3

The sharks Fin

Click the image below and try and find the Sharks fin.

There are a couple of large ly-bys to choose from here, park up and find the public path up the hill side then you will have to steer yourself into a position that you can identify the location. You will not be able to see the sharks fin from the road. Once at the location you will be on a large slab of stone, and aircraft will appear from your right and slightly below you.  

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A further point to note is that the small town of Betwsy coed which is to the east of the A5 pass sees a lot of traffic and although heavily wooded there are lots of vantage points and is ideal for video work.