Noisy night-time walkers are making villagers’ lives a misery as they trudge through the area before dawn to watch the sunrise from the top of Mount Snowdon.
The craze for climbing the highest peak in England and Wales to see the sunrise has surged since the Covid-19 pandemic, residents have said.
CCTV footage shows more than 100 walkers strolling in night lights and talking loudly as they trudge through the village of Llanberis, Gwynedd, North Wales.
Throughout the years there have been issues with parking, littering and even people using local gardens as toilets in the village – but these have all remained daytime nuisances.
But now the eager early-morning walkers have sparked fresh fury in Llanberis and have even led to reports of anti-social behaviour.
Noisy night-time walkers are making villagers’ lives a misery as they trudge through the area before dawn to watch the sunrise from the top of Mount Snowdon
CCTV footage shows more than 100 walkers strolling in night lights and talking loudly as they trudge through the village of Llanberis, Gwynedd, North Wales
The craze for climbing the highest peak in England and Wales to see the sunrise has surged since the Covid-19 pandemic, residents have said
The council and Eryri [Snowdonia] National Park Authority have both said they are working together to improve the situation.
Villager Christine Patton, who captured the noisy walkers on camera, said the problem was particularly common during the spring and summer months.
She said: ‘I’m really happy for people to go up the mountain, but just be a bit quiet and respectful.
‘Have a good time but don’t forget there’s people who actually live here.’
Mona Helllfeld, who has lived on Victoria Terrace in Llanberis for more than 40 years, said the problem has got worse since Covid.
She believes a warden system or signs could help the situation in the village.
Ms Hellford said: ‘When you drive through a village and there’s a sign that says ’20mph – slow down’, we need something that says: “Please be aware this is a residential area”.’
Pictured: Two people sitting on rock at top of Mount Snowdon looking down over dramatic lakes and valley (stock photo)
Hikers descending Llanberis path on Mount Snowdon – the highest peak in England and Wales (stock photo)
Pictured: Tourists hike in Snowdonia national park in North Wales (stock photo)
A spokesperson for the national park authority said: ‘We are aware of the issues raised and recognise the impact and inconvenience they can have on the local community.
‘Unfortunately we have observed an increase in anti-social behaviour since the Covid outbreak and it is disheartening to see some users are still not respecting the residents and local communities in Eryri.’
Gwynedd council said: ‘We remind people planning to visit popular attractions – and any organisation or charity organising an event – to be mindful of local communities and to plan ahead.
‘This includes not disturbing local people, especially late at night, checking the parking arrangements before visiting any location, disposing of their litter and controlling their dogs and cleaning up their mess.’