When it comes to finding the hidden riding gems of Wales, we usually talk to Maja Kenney from Maja’s Motorcycle Adventures, who not only runs motorcycle tours in Wales, but spends most of her free time riding there too. And sure enough, when we asked for something off the beaten track to ride on our next visit, it took her no time at all to suggest this cracker of a route. This is what she told us…

Having to choose just one road to ride in Wales is a tall task. There are so many! The landscape, as well as the type of roads, change from north to south. It truly is a motorcyclist’s paradise.

My choice would be the Forge Road from Machynlleth to Llyn Clywedog, referred to as the Mountain Road, and definitely one which should be on your route the next time you head to Mid Wales.

The town of Machynlleth is the ancient capital of Wales and the perfect base from where to explore Mid Wales. Not only is it well-placed for the Mach Loop, where you can watch the fighter jets practice and even see eye to eye with the pilot as they speed past you perched on top of the hill, it is also just an hour away from Snowdonia National Park, and the entry point to some of my favourite riding in Mid Wales.

What I love about the roads in Mid Wales is that they are much quieter compared to the north and south. There are places with no mobile phone signal, no houses and no people. All you find is beautiful scenery, excellent roads (and some goat tracks) and sheep.

And so it brings me to the one road that encompasses a few of the essentials we all seek when riding a motorcycle. Smooth, well-maintained road, flowing bends, fast sections, incredible views, sightseeing spots, photography opportunities and, last but not least, somewhere for great coffee and cake.

The road doesn’t have a number, as it is unclassified, but it does have a road sign pointing where to turn off the A489 for the “Mountain Road”. Leaving the clock tower of Machynlleth behind you, ride east out of town on the A489 and keep an eye out for the sign. Turn right and you will pass a row of houses. A short wooded area opens up as you come out of the bend and the road crosses the river over a narrow bridge. Soon you will be out of the village and the road starts to wind higher and higher. The bends are flowing and the road surface is perfect, but you could get distracted by the views.

At around the seven-mile mark is the Cadair viewpoint on the right-hand side, just before a left-hand bend. Pull over and take a walk to the viewpoint, or at least do so on a good day. You will find a curved stone-built structure with the outline of the mountains ahead. This is a memorial site dedicated to Wynford Vaughan-Thomas, one of Wales’ best-known and respected broadcasters, war correspondents and environmental champions. The memorial was unveiled in 1990 and is well worth stopping at to admire the views and get a sense of just how vast and remote Mid Wales can be.

As you mount the bike again the road keeps climbing up and delivering awesome bends with that perfect Tarmac. The road is well-fenced, so chances of coming across a sheep in the middle of the road are low, however there is always a possibility of a runaway so do take care. Approximately a mile from the last stop, just as you pass the village of Dylife, there is a layby on the left-hand side that offers the most magnificent view of the valley below.

After the stop, and in half a mile, you will arrive at a T-junction where you turn right. You pass through the village of Staylittle and carry on enjoying the views and the perfect road surface as you ascend and drop down the road as it curves around the fields, with plenty of places for overtakes if you find yourself behind a slowcoach, as the road helpfully stays in view way ahead to perform a safe overtake. Some five miles later you arrive at Llyn Clywedog, a man-made reservoir built between 1965 and 1967. It looks like something out of a James Bond movie and the structure is the tallest mass concrete dam in Britain, standing fully at 236ft (72m) high. A real sight to see, especially from the lead mine ruins below. The Clywedog provides the perfect habitat for wildlife and you can regularly spot Buzzards, Red Kite as well as the occasional Ospreys.

Once you’ve taken in the fantastic view, get back on your bike and continue on the road. This now drops into a short and sharp descent, and you ride across the bridge, which offers a great view of the lake. There is a parking place just to the left as you cross, if you wish to walk back and admire the view for longer. Otherwise, the road continues to climb and drop with fast bends and offers wonderful views as you weave towards a turning in the road.

Take that right turn and follow your nose for a couple of miles until you come to the first turn for the lead mines. Stop here for a walk around and to see the reservoir from below then continue for another half a mile to the next right-hand turn, which is well signposted for the cafe Caffi Clywedog.

Park just after the cafe and climb the stairs of the dam for another view of the lake, you can even see the ruins of the lead mines below. The cafe offers excellent coffee and a selection of cakes and snacks, but do check the opening times before you get too excited. Upstairs has a lovely balcony area with stunning views as well as indoor seating for those cold and wet days.

Once you’ve replenished your energy, follow the road around the hairpin, this is a one way lane, until you reach the top. You can turn left and return to the same road you’ve come from, although I recommend you turn right. The road follows the reservoir on the other side, but is not as good or fast as the one you’ve just ridden, although don’t let that put you off. Follow the road for around five miles then turn right at the T-junction, and at the next one turn left. This will bring you back to the same road you arrived on, just past the village of Staylittle. You will come to the turn on the left, signposted again the Mountain Road to Machynlleth. Do it again! The views in this direction are even better than before.

And even if you have done it before, I suspect you will want to do it again and again. Because it is an awesome piece of asphalt with stunning views – and there is a good chance the weather will be very different the second time around.

I think the beauty of Wales lies not only in its stunning landscape and wonderful roads, but the way it constantly changes depending on the weather. The same view never looks the same twice.

Map of the route

About Maja

Maja is the owner of Maja’s Motorcycle Adventures who offer both tailored and off-the-peg guided tours in Wales. You can really benefit from Maja’s local knowledge there, but the tours are not just limited to Wales, most of the UK and Europe is available to explore too, so this could turn into a really long trip... For further information, visit Maja’s Motorcycle Adventures