The tranquil beauty of the Peak District’s Mam Tor has been disrupted by a surge of tourists, drawn by viral TikTok and Instagram posts, eager to witness the breathtaking sunrise from the summit.
The popular spot near Castleton is now marred by parking chaos as the nearest car park quickly overflows, leading to vehicles being haphazardly abandoned along the roadsides, causing blockages and even road closures.
Local residents are voicing their frustration over the “selfish” behaviour of visitors who leave their cars on both sides of the road, creating traffic nightmares and safety hazards.
The situation escalated when Winnats Pass, the connecting route between Mam Tor and Castleton, was shut down by authorities on Sunday, January 12 for safety concerns.
Derbyshire Police have taken action against disorderly parking, issuing fines to double-parked vehicles and towing away dangerously parked vehicles.
A police spokesperson sternly warned: “If you can’t find a space where you first intended to visit, then don’t simply dump your car. Your selfish actions could be the difference between someone receiving life-saving care or not.”
Amidst the influx of visitors, some early risers who reached Mam Tor’s peak were left disappointed by the overcrowded conditions, with one TikToker lamenting that braving the hill was “the worst mistake” due to the overwhelming crowds and blustery winds.
A hiker voiced their concerns: “Tik tok has made it famous and ppl with no hiking experience are going. Especially in this weather you need to be prepared and check the wind conditions, wear base layers, hiking shoes with grip, airbreaker. You can’t just go as if your going for a walk.”
Another visitor who braved the trek on a Saturday also expressed dissatisfaction: “I went, insanely busy, no respect shown by anyone, drinking, smoking weed abd chaos. would never go on a Saturday again.”
A third individual chimed in: “Bro it’s such an average hill what is the hype? I see better sunrises on the way to work.”
This post was originally published on here
