At first glance, the villages around southern Snowdonia are pretty sleepy – a few small shops and pubs, beautiful scenery, lots of sheep and not much else.
But stick around and you’ll find the tranquility completely shattered by one of the country’s most awe-inspiring sights.
The series of valleys between Dolgellau in the north and Machynlleth in the south is also known to connoisseurs as the Mach Loop.
Regularly you can see military planes flying through the valleys at alarming speeds.
The Mach Loop is a must visit for anyone still in the grip of Top Gun: Maverick Fever, the highly anticipated second episode of Tom Cruise circling in his jet ignoring his elders.
Planes in the Welsh Valleys fly so low that if you climb the hills on either side of the loop you can see straight into the cockpit.
It’s a truly awe-inspiring sight and sound, with the familiar roar of engines echoing through the countryside.
The area is used as a low-level training area for fast aircraft, with aircraft sometimes flying up to 76 meters.
You can regularly spot planes like the Royal Air Force Airbus A400M, Typhoons and Hawk jets taking the Mach Loops.
The challenge is to know when they will appear.
Planes tend to make their training flights throughout the week, but there is no published schedule for departure.
Read more: A Manc guide to: Saddleworth, where people flock for a taste of the countryside
Most people choose to warm up and head up the hill armed with snacks, ready to camp for the afternoon in hopes of catching some action.
As it’s a good few hours’ drive from Manchester, you might want to book into an Airbnb or hotel to make a weekend of it (the award-winning Ynyshir restaurant is also nearby).
There is a car park on the A487 which you can use as a good starting point for find your point of view of choice.
Featured Image: James Veitch
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