The Mach Loop (also known as LFA7), is a series of valleys in West-Central Wales which are often used by the Air Force to train on low-level (as low as 76 meters (250 feet)). These locations are strictly private properties and we would like to point out the fact that you are strictly responsible for every actions that you will attempt up there and may occur some issues with locals/police/farmers etc. this is why we are recommending to follow carefully our advices. In the following we will list some websites which we found very helpful, especially if you are at LFA7 for the first time:
- Rough flight plans reagrding hours of duty for the next weeks(this is no timetable for the LFA 7 and not shows the traffic for it!)
- The most used flight routes and moves
- Accurate weather forecasts for this special region
Aircraft most seen in the area includes:
UK Royal Air Force : Airbus A400M / Texan / Hawk / C130 / Beechcraft / Chinook / Puma / Apache / Typhoon / F35
United States Air Force : F15 / F35 / MC130 / V22 Osprey
However, since a Typhon was involved in an incident in October 2018 here, LFA7 activity was reduced. On average you will see 2-5 movements a day now during “good weather” (clouds or sun), but sometimes there are even days with 0 or also 20 movements (even if there is good weather). Depends a lot on your amount of luck! Furthermore this place becomes crowdy during good weather and UK holidays.
Written by Severin Hackenberger and Jeremy Denton in cooperation with Jamie Woodhouse-Wright and Wout Goossens. Lastchange: May 2023 (Spot 2 and 3 updated)
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Photo Locations |  |
| Weather |  |
| RadioFrequencies | |
| 128.700 AM – Main frequency | London Military Central – Will indicated if an aircraft will fly in direction to Wales might potentially come here. |
| 278.000 AM – Second frequency | Nato Low Level – Mostly used by USAF F15 pilots. |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Not needed at all. |
| Car/Public Transport | Required definitely. There is no public transport to this aera. |
| Restrooms | None, only next to trees or so. |
| Drinks/Food | Absolutely nothing around. Next Supermarkets in Dolgellau. Always bring everything with you and take home your rubbish! |
| Hotels | A few are available in the valley as well as camping sight. Dolgellau offers some Accomendations. |
| Season | The peak season is during Summer once the days are sunny and not too windy. Best days are in the middle of the week as activity was best then so far. In general Monday to Thursday the whole day and Friday most of the time only till lunch time. No Activities at the weekends. |
| Security | There are no problems with the military, police or security services normally. However, you should always be at secured points only and don’t risk steep spots and ways at cliffes and edges. Take care when climbing and rather wear stable hiking shoes! Also if you camp in a tent up the hill, choose a safe spot and secure everything well as it can be windy! |
 | Spot #1 – Bluebell |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This location is the eastern most here and can be found on a hill’s northern side. Park your car at the lay by of A470 (marked on the map), get to the gate and climb the footpath along a brick wall up the hill for like 90 vertical meters till you reach your favourite spot. However, this hill is step and doesn’t offer a lot of place to stand safely. |
| WHAT | Good light till later noon. |
| TIME | Good light till later noon from sunrise on. |
| MISC. | Please bring everything you need for a long journey. Be careful when climbing as it is steep and there isn’t a lot of space. Good and stable shoes needed. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 200-600mm recommended |
Unluckily, we can’t provide any example pictures taken from here yet. However, don’t hesitate to send us your ones.
 | Spot #2 – BwIch |
|---|---|
| WHERE | BwIch is among the most famous positions at Mach Loop as it is located right by the “entrance” of the LFA7 valley. You can find a parking by the roadside of A470 again and then take the paved footpath up the hill. However, after a few steps you have to decide whether you go to lower or upper Bwlch.
|
| WHAT | Low level action of military jets/helicopters right in front. |
| TIME | Good light till later noon from sunrise on. |
| MISC. | Please bring everything you need for a long journey. Good and stable shoes needed. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-600mm recommended Hercules = 190mm; A400M: 110mm, F-15: 2500m. For the Texan and Hawks you will need up to 500mm as they are really small. |
- Parking lot starting point
- Way up
- View from the top
Option a – Lower Bwlch:
Option b – Upper Bwlch:
 | Spot #3 – CAD East |
|---|---|
| WHERE | CAD East can be found east of the narrow valley where the aircraft fly thru. Park your car at the offical parking. On the opposite side you will see a ladder to climb over the fence to get on the path. Take the ~1,5km and 120 vertcial meters footpath as marked on the map up the hill. A part will be on a asphalted road which is the same way if drive up by car (see next part). Once you reached the small car park just walk along the trees to the plateau which offers a fantastic view. It is exactly on the opposite side of the offical parking. If you don`t wanna walk you can also drive up to the location on a asphalted road. You can reach this road next to a farm (Stabal Holiday Cottage on google maps). Open the gate (and close it!) and drive up to the top (several gates will follow) until you see a small parking for a handful of car to your left, next to the beginning of a forest. |
| WHAT | Low level action of military jets/helicopters directly in front closely. |
| TIME | Good light till later noon from sunrise on. |
| MISC. | Please bring everything you need for a long journey. Always close the gates! Parking space is limited on the top. Drive up early to find a place! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-600mm recommended A400 = 160mm; Tucano = 450mm, Apache 350mm |
- Parking lot (4-5 cars)
- Way to the postion from the parking
- Way to the position
 | Spot #4 – CAD West |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This spot can be found west of the narrow valley the aircraft fly thru. Park your car at the offical parking and take the 750m footpath as marked on the map up the hill. This will lead you up like 90 vertical meters easily and smootly to a flatter hill side on the western side where you have a big area to search your favourite position in. |
| WHAT | Low level action of military jets/helicopters directly in front closely. |
| TIME | Early afternoon till sunset. |
| MISC. | Please bring everything you need for a long journey. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-600mm recommended F15 = 220mm; |
 | Spot #5 – Corris Corner |
|---|---|
| WHERE | The southernmost spot is located close to the village of Minffordd and only requires a smooth 80 vertical meter climb. Park on a lay by at of “Rhiw Gwgan” and from the parking continue by foot for approximate 100 meters until you see a gate. Open it (and close it!) and walk up the paved footpath up the hill till the postion. |
| WHAT | Low level action of military jets/helicopters. |
| TIME | Good light till later noon from sunrise on. |
| MISC. | Please bring everything you need. Always close the gates! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Up to 600mm recommended |
Unluckily, we can’t provide any example pictures taken from here yet. However, don’t hesitate to send us your ones.
