Tal-y-llyn (Llyn Mwyngil)

Tal-y-llyn (Llyn Mwyngil) is a natural ribbon lake cradled beneath the southern cliffs of Cadair Idris, and it is one of the more serene places to fly in southern Eryri, a world away from the Snowdon-side crowds. Park in one of the laybys along the B4405 and you can lift off beside the water to catch still reflections of Craig Goch and the ridge, with the little whitewashed church and the old coaching inn adding scale. Because it is a natural lake rather than a Welsh Water reservoir, the outright take-off bans that plague the reservoirs do not apply, but the land around the shore is private and the lake is a working trout fishery, so ask where you can and give anglers a wide berth. Do bear in mind that Eryri National Park actively discourages drones at its honeypots; this is a quiet corner, so fly considerately and keep it brief. The one thing that will surprise you is military traffic: the valley sits within the RAF low-flying area associated with the Mach Loop, and fast-jets do run through below the tops on weekdays. If you hear jets, land. Still autumn mornings with mirror water are magic.