Detour #360: Planes, Lanes and Automobiles on the Mach Loop, Wales
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Top Gear meets Top Gun in the Mach Loop of the Welsh Valleys
The military jets that practice low-level flying in between the mountains are fast, but the idea that the Mach Loop gets its name from supersonic speeds is a misnomer. In fact this circular route is named after the town of Machynlleth on the edge of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park.
The market town is steeped in history, known as the “ancient capital of Wales” and was home to the Welsh Parliament in the early 1400s. For a town of just 2,000 people it punches above its weight culturally, hosting an annual comedy festival, and being home to MoMA Wales. It’s even got its own Hollywood-like sign in the hills.
For aviation enthusiasts, however, it’s the geography that’s more appealing. With a bit of a scramble up the hillside it’s possible to actually look down on the Typhoons, Hawks and F-35s that roar through the valley below.
There are several key vantage points on this route, so pack your driving shoes and your hiking boots, and be prepared for a wait. The RAF and USAF don’t publish their training timetable for obvious reasons, so you never know what you’ll see. Just don’t try at weekends or bank holidays when the flyers stay grounded.
Your first opportunity comes just a few miles north of Machynlleth on the A487, after an engaging, mostly tree-lined drive to the Corris Craft Centre. Here, on the valley floor, the aircraft pass overhead, and you need never leave the car park – unless, of course, you want to try your hand at woodworking or pottery, or stop for sustenance at the cafe.
Now you’ve got a choice: you can bank right towards the Corris Corner viewing spot or stay on the A487 to access The Bwich, Cad West and Cad East viewpoints. The half-mile climb to Corris Corner is described by the experts at machloop.co.uk as “Strenuous” but rewards you with sights of jets turning at full tilt. Alternatively, if you continue on the main road you’ll soon find yourself at the most popular car park on the loop. It’s on the straightest section of the A487 so easy enough to spot. Head up to The Bwich on a steady half-mile climb to 400 feet for “the most iconic” views, or take a more challenging hike to Cad West (half a mile and 300 feet) or Cad East (one mile and 400 feet). Whichever route you take you’ll be above the aeronautical action.
When you’ve had your fill of flybys get back on the A487 north. A stop at the award-winning Cross Foxes Inn is highly recommended and you can even stay overnight before heading east on the scenic A470, then picking up the A489 to complete the loop in Machynlleth. These are all great roads, so even if you fail to see Maverick in motion you’ll have had a dynamic drive.
ROADBOOK
CLASS: FLy DRIVE
NAME: The Mach LooP
ROUTE: Machynlleth to Machynlleth
COUNTRY: Wales
Distance: 38 Miles
The drive to where James Bond met his demise is dramatic in its own right.