waterfall
Dolgoch Falls
Three waterfalls in a wooded ravine beside the Talyllyn Railway, with a station right at the trailhead.
10 km · about 20 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomWales
Machynlleth
Wales, United Kingdom · Europe
About Machynlleth
Machynlleth works well as a base: 15 minutes from Corris, 13km from Llyn Cau.
Machynlleth is in Wales, United Kingdom, with about 2,200 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Corris, about 7 km away.
Machynlleth (Welsh: [maˈχənɬɛθ] ) is a market town, community and electoral ward in Powys, Wales, and within the historic boundaries of Montgomeryshire. It is in the Dyfi Valley at the intersection of the A487 and the A489 roads. It has a population of 2,098 (2024 mid-year estimate). At the 2001 Census it had aRead more
population of 2,147, rising to 2,235 in 2011 and falling slightly to 2,163 in 2021. It is sometimes referred to colloquially as Mach.
Machynlleth was the seat of Owain Glyndŵr's Welsh Parliament in 1404, and as such claims to be the "ancient capital of Wales". However, it has never held any official recognition as a capital. It applied for city status in 2000 and 2002, but was unsuccessful. It is twinned with Belleville, Michigan.
Machynlleth hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1937 and 1981. The town falls within the catchment area and is involved in the 2027 Maldwyn Meirionnydd National Eisteddford to be held in nearby Glanytwymyn.
Where to Stay in Machynlleth
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Explore the Area
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Machynlleth.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Machynlleth?
Within an hour or so of Machynlleth: Dolgoch Falls (10 km), Llyn Cau (13 km), Cadair Idris (Penygadair) (13 km), Mawddach Estuary (19 km).
Are there any good drives near Machynlleth?
The nearest famous roads are B4574 Devil's Bridge to Cwmystwyth, Cwmystwyth Mountain Road and Bwlch y Groes (Hellfire Pass).
Where is Machynlleth?
Machynlleth is in Wales, United Kingdom, about 7 km from Corris.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 2,235
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Wales
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 52.5896, -3.8531
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Machynlleth
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
natural wonder
Llyn Cau
A near-perfect corrie lake in the crater-like hollow beneath Cadair Idris's summit, reached by the Minffordd Path.
13 km · about 25 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Cadair Idris (Penygadair)
A 893m mountain of huge cliffs and corries in southern Snowdonia, legendarily leaving anyone who sleeps on it a poet or a madman.
13 km · about 25 min drive
natural wonder
Mawddach Estuary
A tidal estuary between Barmouth and Dolgellau ringed by oakwoods and mountains, with a trail and railway bridge along its length.
19 km · about 20 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Precipice Walk, Dolgellau
A near-level ledge path around Foel Cynwch with a full circuit view over the Mawddach estuary and Cadair Idris.
20 km · about 25 min drive
natural wonder
Llyn Clywedog
A reservoir near Llanidloes held by Britain's tallest concrete dam, with a scenic loop road and views to Plynlimon.
21 km · about 25 min drive
waterfall
Devil's Bridge Falls
Dramatic series of waterfalls plunging through a deep wooded gorge spanned by three bridges built on top of each other across eight centuries.
24 km · about 25 min drive
cafe
Devils Bridge Falls & Biker Stop
A scenic biker destination in mid-Wales where riders gather after tackling the spectacular mountain roads around Aberystwyth.
24 km · about 25 min drive
Driving roads near Machynlleth
11 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 60km.
- Right hereCadair Idris (Penygadair)A 893m mountain of huge cliffs and corries in southern Snowdonia, legendarily leaving anyone who sleeps on it a poet or a madman.
- 20 kmPrecipice Walk, DolgellauA near-level ledge path around Foel Cynwch with a full circuit view over the Mawddach estuary and Cadair Idris.
- 27 kmCwmystwyth Mountain RoadWild, lonely mountain road from Rhayader to Aberystwyth over the Cambrian Mountains, passing the Elan Valley dams and old lead mines of Cwmystwyth. Often called one of Britain's remotest drives.
- 27 kmB4574 Devil's Bridge to CwmystwythRated among Britain's most scenic roads, a narrow climb from the Rheidol gorge onto the Cambrian moors past old lead mines.
- 28 kmBwlch y Groes (Hellfire Pass)Wales's highest public road at 545m, a 1-in-4 single-track climb from Llanuwchllyn used for decades as a motoring hill-climb test.
- 28 kmBwlch y Groes (Pass of the Cross)Wales's highest public road at 545m, a 1-in-4 climb from Llanuwchllyn used for pre-war motoring hill-climb tests.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
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