Case study #1

The number of passengers making the most of the Sherpa’r Wyddfa bus services has increased significantly in recent years.

Since the redesign and relaunch of the revamped services in 2022, passenger numbers on the Sherpa’r Wyddfa network have steadily risen, with a 79% increase compared to the pre- Covid period.

In fact, during the summer of 2024, numbers reached record levels, with a total of 72,296 passengers using the Sherpa’r Wyddfa bus network in the Eryri area in August alone. It is clear that the journey on the Sherpa has become an all-weather attraction in its own right. There’s less hassle on the bus – let someone else worry about the driving and parking!

The new Sherpa’r Wyddfa service has brought about significant improvements by offering a regular service for over 12 hours a day during peak times, connecting directly to main train stations and providing customers with a consistent pricing structure.

The Sherpa services connect easily with local bus services and the TrawsCymru services in locations such as Porthmadog, Caernarfon, Bangor, Llanberis and Betws y Coed, offering an excellent way to travel to, from, and within Eryri. It combines routes that enable Gwynedd residents to make essential day-to-day journeys with a convenient travel option for visitors, linking the area’s main walking trails, car parks, villages, and attractions.

Sherpa’r Wyddfa has been recognised in several transport awards since its relaunch, receiving accolades at the UK Transport Awards and the Bus Awards. This success is a testament to the power of collaboration and careful route planning that meets the needs of both local residents and visitors.

The number of passengers making the most of the Sherpa’r Wyddfa bus services has increased significantly in recent years. Since the redesign and relaunch of the revamped services in 2022, passenger numbers on the Sherpa’r Wyddfa network have steadily risen, with a 79% increase compared to the pre-Covid period.

The Sherpa’r Wyddfa service is operated by Cyngor Gwynedd in partnership with Transport for Wales, Conwy County Borough Council, and Eryri National Park. For more information about Sherpa’r Wyddfa, visit

www.sherparwyddfa.wales

Case study #2

Image ©BMC

In September 2024, the British Mountaineering Council (BMC), in collaboration with Trash Free Trails, Plantlife, Eryri National Park, and Cymdeithas Eryri, organised a unique cleanup effort in the Trinity gullies on Clogwyn y Garnedd. These gullies unfortunately act as natural traps for litter blown or dropped from the summit of Yr Wyddfa.

The area is not only a striking landscape but also a vital refuge for arctic-alpine plants and invertebrates—species already under threat due to climate change as their habitats shrink. Additionally, the cliffs are popular among winter climbers, and existing BMC projects aim to minimise their impact on this delicate ecosystem.

For the first time, to our knowledge, the upper gullies underwent a thorough cleanup. A team of professional rope-access technicians abseiled from near the summit to remove debris from the gullies. Some of the waste was collected and transported by train, while other items were carefully lowered for retrieval by a second team.

On the second day, a group of 40 volunteers approached the cliff from below, clearing and surveying pollution as they worked. In total, 2,765 items were removed from the rock face—809 of which were drink containers, with Lucozade being the most commonly found brand.

Beyond waste removal, the survey aims to contribute to broader environmental research while serving as a call to action for political change. A key focus of the initiative was also education—encouraging mountain visitors not only to take their waste home but to consider the environmental impact of what they bring into the mountains in the first place.

The BMC extends its sincere thanks to all the volunteers and partner organisations who contributed to the project, and offers special thanks to the Barron Hill Estate for kindly granting permission to undertake the work. We look forward to the possibility of repeating the initiative in 2025.

Case study #3

Each year, our dedicated team of Yr Wyddfa Volunteer Wardens is out on the mountain every weekend and mid-week between April and November. They provide visitors with expert advice and vital information on mountain safety, collect a substantial amount of litter from the main paths, and support the Park’s Warden service with path maintenance.

The scheme has developed immensely since its launch in 2013, with a current team of over 60 highly trained and experienced individuals out on the mountain throughout the summer season. What started on Yr Wyddfa has now expanded to include additional volunteering opportunities under the scheme on Cader Idris and with the information van.

During 2024 on Yr Wyddfa, 47 individuals were on patrol for a total of 103 cumulative days, amounting to 4,338 hours, and are estimated to have advised over 4,000 visitors.

The information van was also stationed at Llanberis, Nantgwynant, and Rhyd Ddu for a total of 36 days throughout the season. This mobile hub serves as a vital resource for the public, with dedicated volunteers providing essential advice, guidance, and support. It is estimated that an additional 1,000 individuals benefited from the expertise and assistance of our volunteers, who were on hand to answer questions and offer information. While most of the volunteers focus on direct mountain work, those who are unable to be out on the mountain, or prefer to stay on lower ground, still play a crucial role, providing support to visitors and sharing their valuable knowledge from the van.

The volunteers are also citizen scientists, and in 2024, they recorded more litter data than ever before—collecting 1,157.69 kg. All this litter was carried down from the mountain and disposed of responsibly by the team.

The scheme provides volunteers with various opportunities, such as being part of a team, meeting new people, expanding their mountaineering experience, and giving new Welsh speakers a chance to practice. Their work is integral to creating a safer environment on the mountain and achieving the goals of this Plan.

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