A BEAUTY site has been completely destroyed by tourists in caravans using it as a 'free campsite' and pooping everywhere, locals say.
An upgrade to parking facilities on the edge of Eryri (Snowdonia) in Noord Wales has provided 114 additional places and a separate aires-type 'Arosfan' for caravans.
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But residents say improvement work undertaken by Gwynedd Council to bring 'order and control' has backfired.
Three car parks were re-created by Llyn Padarn in Llanberis opposite the area known as 'the lagoons' in an attempt to prevent the regular flow of visitors from overwhelming the site.
However, payment machines have not yet been activated and height barriers are only occasionally operated, turning the car parks into a gigantic “campsite”, say critics.
Two weeks ago, 95 overnight campers were counted and, despite a ban, 32 tents, it is claimed.
The problem was expected to get worse over the Bank Holiday.
As well as the battle for parking, there are also concerns about litter, with volunteer waste collectors saying they have found human faeces.
Nearby campsite owners between Llanberis and Caernarfon have complained that the area is taking potential customers away from them, with occupancy rates lower than normal.
“This is ruining local family businesses!” one owner, who lost 10 fields last weekend, reports North WalesLive.
Residents insist they are not anti-tourism, but they want the municipality to restore the promised “order”.
The authority says a security company will return for the amount of the summer to monitor the area on weekends and during school hours holidays.
The payment terminals will also be operational this week.
Eric Baylis, who helps run Pentref Taclus Llanberis Tidy Village, said the situation is “baffling”.
He said when plans to redesign the car parks were announced two years ago, 26 camper spaces were proposed but only eight were provided.
He added that last summer a private security company was brought in to operate the gates, which closed at 8pm before reopening at midnight, and that campers would “come in during the night”.
Fellow resident John Horrigan said: “It's terrible. Van owners are setting up barbecues and setting up chairs and tables, despite signs prohibiting them from doing so.
“Once they're in place, they're there all weekend, and parking becomes a problem for everyone else.”
Snowdonia National Park
Mount Snowdonof Snowdon, in Walesattracts approximately half a million visitors annually.
The area has been likened to a bucket list destination in New Zealand for its breathtaking views and walks – but some climbers were less impressed.
The Snowdonia National Park in Wales has been compared to the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park for its mountain ranges and breathtaking views.
Visitors flock to the national park between June and August Wales. and in recent years holidaymakers have adopted this social media to share the comparison.
UK Hidden Gems posted a video on TikTok with the caption: “British places that look like they're in another country.”
In the videoa photo of Snowdonia was placed next to a shot of New Zealand National Park.
Because the two images were placed side by side, several people in the comments couldn't believe that one of the parks was close by. Britain.
TOILET ISSUES
Furious tourists took to TripAdvisor to share their thoughts horror stories with one of the main problems being the lack of toilets.
An American visitor, who came all the way from New York, said: “There are no toilets for everyone who climbs up and retreats.
“It seems that people are defecating in the open air and spreading an odor of urine all over this hill.”
Others voiced the same complaint, with someone else posting: “Every rock you go behind smells like urine or has human feces behind it.
“I was walking behind a building at the top and saw a poor woman dumping.
“A lot of visitors come here, so it's starting to become a real sewage festival.”
Another person added: 'A lot of rubbish was piling up and blowing across the country.
“A real tragedy.”
Another shocked climber commented: “At the summit we were greeted by the smell of sewage and literally hundreds of people milling about.
“They had built a visitors center since I was last there. It was disgusting.'
TOURISTS
Tourists saw them during the Easter holidays cars are towed Through Police after illegal parking at Snowdon.
Fighting is also said to have broken out due to the congestion caused by queues on the mountain.
Photos showed cars blocking sidewalks and trucks towing vehicles out of the way.
north Wales Police said 29 vehicles parked near Llyn Ogwen and a further nine at Pen y Pass at the foot of Snowdon were removed on Good Friday.
Traffic Wales said the A5 was closed near the Ogwen Cottage outdoor activity center due to the huge number of cars being towed.
Police posted a photo of vehicles on either side of the mountain road on X and said: “Please park responsibly on the roads and avoid interfering with emergency vehicles. Blocking their path can have serious consequences.
“Let's take into account our fellow road users in need and make way for the emergency services. Your cooperation can save lives!”
A smoking local then posted a message the TikTok video with the words: “Idiot tourists are turning up again in Snowdonia! How some people get through life is beyond me.”
One TikToker shared more footage, saying: “There is no assigned queue for Snowdon.
“People choose to stand in line. There is no one telling you to stand in line.
“People think it's really against the rules to stand in an imaginary queue. It's not Thorpe Park, it's a mountain.”
He said a group of children were taken through the National Water Sports Center last week but they were unable to get into the car park.
John added that he had recently seen a tent “the size of a marquee” erected.
“In the past, wild campers would camp overnight, leave early and leave no trace. Now it's different,” he said.
John is one of the local volunteers who help collect litter, but human feces remain behind health to assure.
Another woman said online that it is 'insane' that locals 'have to pay to park in our own village' and another said the photos of the rubbish left behind by visitors are 'shameful'.
The problems have led some to calls for a complete camper ban.
Others argue that it needs a security guard on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and that it should be run like a company to protect the area.
A council spokesperson said it is working with partners to encourage visitors to be “mindful and respectful” and arrange accommodation at an approved campsite.
They added that “significant work” has been carried out on the car park to “improve the look and feel” and to ensure better regulation.
And emphasized that the payment terminals will be ready for the “big holiday period”.
However, the spokesperson said the height barriers at the entrance cannot be lowered as this would completely prevent campers from 'legally parking' that day, as well as stop vehicles carrying personal watercraft and other leisure equipment.
A network of Arosfan locations, including in Llanberis, will become operational “once final work” on the payment machines is completed, they added.
The Sun has approached the council for further comment.