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Beauty spot becoming 'overcrowded' as 'selfish' tourists rush to catch the sunrise

Writer's picture: UK Hidden GemsUK Hidden Gems

A well-loved beauty spot in the Peak District has been overwhelmed by crowds of tourists eager to catch the sunrise.


Visitors have been flocking to this scenic spot, but some are being criticised for their "selfish" behaviour.


Mam Tor, near Castleton, has gone viral on TikTok and Instagram, attracting early morning visitors hoping to witness the breathtaking sunrise over the rolling hills.


The nearest car park fills up quickly, leading many to park along nearby roads, causing congestion and closures.


Image of Mam Tor
Image credit: Photo © Jeff Buck (cc-by-sa/2.0)


Locals have voiced concerns over cars being abandoned on both sides of the road, creating safety hazards and blocking traffic.


Recently, police were forced to close Winnats Pass, a road linking Mam Tor and Castleton, due to safety risks on Sunday, 12th January.


Derbyshire Police reported that double-parked cars had made the road impassable. Some drivers were fined, while others faced having their vehicles towed for dangerous parking.


A police spokesperson warned: "If you can’t find a proper parking space, don’t just dump your car. Your selfish actions could stop emergency services from reaching someone in need of life-saving care."


Image of Mam Tor
Image credit: Photo © John H Darch (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Even those who reached the top of Mam Tor were left disappointed by the huge crowds. One TikTok user described climbing the hill as "the worst mistake" because it was packed with people and extremely windy.


An experienced hiker also shared frustrations, saying: "TikTok has made it famous, and now people with no hiking experience are going. In this weather, you need to be prepared—check wind conditions, wear base layers, hiking boots with grip, and a windbreaker. You can’t just go as if it’s a casual walk."


Another visitor who went on a Saturday was unimpressed, writing: "It was insanely busy, no one had any respect, people were drinking, smoking weed—it was chaos. I’d never go on a Saturday again."


A third person simply added: "Mate, it’s just an average hill—what’s the hype? I see better sunrises on my way to work."


Remember - LeaveNoTrace!


As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!


Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.


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