Hundreds of people queue at the top of Snowdon as tourists take advantage of the weather

Hundreds of people queue at the top of Mount Snowdon after the 3,560-foot hike, as tourists took advantage of the good weather.

The number of people visiting Wales’ highest mountain runs up to 600,000 a year, and the summit can be very busy during the summer season.

Over the weekend, it seemed like the numbers really ramped up, as incredible photos have shown hundreds of people queuing at the top of Gwynedd’s Snowdonia National Park.

Even at a distance from the top of the mountain, photos taken on Sunday showed numerous people covering the slope of the summit.

In August 2021 there was a huge increase in Snowdon climbers leading to a 45 minute queue at the summit.

Over the weekend it looked like the numbers really ramped up as incredible photos have shown hundreds of people queuing at the top of the mountain peak in Gwynedd’s Snowdonia National Park

Many were believed to be staycationers looking for adventures back home after Covid travel rules ruined overseas vacations for families.

At parts of the eight-mile trail up the mountain, authorities reported leaving trash and belongings behind.

Last week, Eryri National Park launched the ‘Plastic Free Yr Wyddfa’ project to address growing concerns about plastic waste littering the monument.

They aim to make Snowdon the first mountain in the world ‘plastic free’.

North Wales live reported that recent soil samples revealed significant amounts of microplastic pollution in the environment.

Even in the middle of winter, when numbers are at their lowest, the publication noted regular climbers saw plastic bags, discarded drinks and other rubbish.

The National Park Authority is organizing an event on Monday 24 April to make Snowdon ‘Plastic Free’.

Rob and Fiona Nicholson, from Plas Coch, Llanberis, told the outlet: ‘At our guest house at the foot of Yr Wyddfa, we believe in the beauty and conservation of the natural world around us. That’s why we’re committed to reducing our use of single-use plastics.

“By doing this, we can protect the beautiful environment that our guests come to experience and help ensure that its beauty lasts for future visitors to the area.”

Even at a distance from the top of the mountain, photos taken on Sunday showed countless people covering the slope of the summit

It comes after North Wales Police warned drivers to stop illegal parking after they had to tow up to 40 cars out of Snowdonia at the start of the Easter weekend.

Day-trippers seeking walks in the glorious Bank Holiday sunshine on April 9 dumped their cars on the grass behind crumbling stone walls and along narrow mountain roads in the popular North Wales spot.

North Wales Police said 29 vehicles parked near Llyn Ogwen – and a further nine in Pen y Pass at the foot of Snowdon – were removed on Good Friday.

Wales Police, showing no signs of stopping their crackdown on illegal parking, said drivers were risking lives by parking ‘irresponsibly and dangerously’ at Snowdonia – also known as Eryri – where emergency vehicles could be blocked from passing .

Videos on social media captured the extent of the parking chaos, with dozens of vehicles slapped with fines.

Meanwhile, more images shared online appeared to show motorists had found more parking space by driving through holes in the wall.

A user shared an image of a partially destroyed wall with several cars parked on grassland behind it.

Snowdonia is the largest national park in Wales, attracting four million visitors each year, with hundreds flocking to the National Day.

Earlier this month, police warned motorists to stop illegal parking at a popular beauty spot in North Wales after they had to tow away nearly 40 cars at the start of the Easter weekend

Footage shared online appeared to show day trippers driving through a crumbling wall to park on the grass behind

Traffic Wales said the A5 was closed on the same day near Ogwen Cottage, an outdoor activities center due to the large number of cars requiring towing.

Car parks in the Snowdonia National Park will continue to be monitored over Easter weekend and any vehicles parked on the open road, double yellow or causing an obstruction will be removed at the owner’s expense, North Wales Police said.

It added: ‘While we appreciate people visiting Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park to enjoy the weather and stunning scenery this bank holiday weekend, we urge motorists to be responsible and think about where they park and to make full use of the park and ride facilities available.

‘We will continue to work closely with our colleagues at Gwynedd Council and Eryri National Park to reduce the risk to walkers, cyclists and other road users.’