Easter: Snowdonia mountain path covered in human faeces - guide

One man was caught taking a poo on the Snowdonia Mountain Railway line, says guide Gemma Davies

One of Wales' most popular mountain paths was "covered in human stools" and litter as visitors flocked to the area for Easter, a mountain guide has said.

Snowdon guide Gemma Davies said she even caught a man defecating on the mountain's railway line.

She said she was "totally disgusted" at the state of the Llanberis path on Saturday morning with stools in paper cups and under stones.

Snowdonia National Park Authority said nothing unusual had been reported.

With Wales' temperatures higher than in Greece, Turkey and the south of Italy, visitors flocked to beaches and national parks across Wales.

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Ms Davies, who led a sunrise hike up Wales' highest mountain on Saturday, said the problem was so bad, she was having to warn people to "mind the poo".

She claimed toilets at the summit were closed along with the café and "there were no toilets open at the bottom when we got to the bottom after a seven hour hike".

"There was a lot of stool in paper cups, under stones, and as we were descending it was on the path," Ms Davies added.

As she and a group of visitors were descending, they were stunned at what they saw.

Snowdon guide Gemma Davies says the Llanberis path was "covered in human stool"

"I caught a guy going to the toilet on the railway line," Ms Davies said.

"He quickly pulled up his pants and tried to make a quick getaway.

"But I had already seen it, my group had already seen it. And we had to walk past it as well."

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Ms Davies said there were no toilets at the base of the mountain open by the time she and her group returned at 08:30 BST.

She said: "There should be somewhere. It is the busiest mountain in the UK."

She called on the authorities to provide facilities.

"It was very busy in Llanberis but there were no toilets for people to go to," she said.

"There are none at the top of the mountain because the cafe is not open.

"I understand people wanting to go to the toilet but doing it on the paths is not hygienic and it is not nice to see."

Snowdonia National Park Authority says Snowdon is a mountain, not "an attraction"

Snowdonia National Park Authority said the visitor centre at Snowdon's summit was closed for repairs but that all other facilities in the area were open.

A spokesman said: "It is a mountain. It isn't an attraction and people need to take that into account."

It said volunteers were on the mountain collecting litter.

Rebecca Williams, assistant director of National Trust Cymru, said creating a tourism offer that was "year round, all weathers and not just on these Easter weekends" could help to ease pressures on hotspots.

"If we want to make tourism sustainable [we need] to ensure that it is co-ordinated, controlled and that we are working with communities to ensure communities aren't left to manage the burden," she told BBC Radio Wales' Sunday Supplement.

What was happening elsewhere?

Police say they had to remove some dangerously parked cars at Llyn Ogwen, Conwy county

North Wales Police said it towed a number of vehicles from the A5 near Llyn Ogwen, at Nant Ffrancon Pass, in Conwy county, because they were a danger to other road users on Saturday.

A spokesman said: "There are numerous vehicles that have parked dangerously and inconsiderately causing traffic issues.

"Please park sensibly and appropriately at beauty spots."

Drivers also left their cars in a lay-by near the Pen-y-Gwryd Hotel, in Gwynedd

The Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team said it had a busy Saturday.

Volunteers helped a mountain biker who was taken to hospital by ambulance after crashing at Bikepark Wales in Merthyr Tydfil, sustaining suspected pelvic and hip injuries and a possible broken leg.

Assisted by the Western Beacons Mountain RescueTeam, volunteers then tended to a woman who had hurt her leg at Ystradfellte waterfalls in Powys.

The Central Beacons team also helped a woman struggling with a pre-existing slipped disc injury at the waterfalls, and helped a male with a head injury who had slipped on rocks.

The Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team had a busy day on Saturday

On the coast, the RNLI stressed the importance of staying safe as temperatures soared and people headed to the coast to enjoy the sunny weather.

The charity warned some of the highest tides of the year were expected over the next few days.

"The best way to prepare is to visit a lifeguarded beach, and there's nine open across the Welsh coastline this weekend," said Ross MacLeod, of the RNLI.