What should be a place of calm reflection and open skies has turned into a constant source of stress for those who know it best.
On a stretch of mountainside in South Wales, the natural beauty that once defined the landscape has been overshadowed by a growing river of dumped rubbish — and for one local farmer, it has become impossible to ignore.
A Farmer Pushed to Breaking Point
Katie Davies, who grazes her sheep on Bwlch Mountain in Treorchy, says the sight of the waste scattered across the land keeps her awake at night.
The mountain has been in her family for nearly a century, yet she now finds herself staring at piles of trash that stretch down the hillside and can be seen from miles away.
Drone footage reveals how badly the rubbish has scarred the countryside, with debris trailing down the steep slopes.
For Ms Davies, the emotional toll is just as heavy as the financial one.
She fears the clean-up could cost her thousands of pounds and admits the situation feels overwhelming.
“It’s devastating,” she said, describing the mess as both heartbreaking and exhausting. According to her, this isn’t a one-off problem — and she’s desperate for a long-term solution.
How the Dumping Keeps Happening
The rubbish doesn’t end up there by accident.
Fly-tippers regularly stop at a layby above the cliffs and throw their waste straight over the edge.
The problem has become so persistent that Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has previously stepped in to help manage clean-ups.
In the past, volunteers were forced to haul the rubbish down the mountain by hand before council teams could remove it.
This time, however, the scale and location of the waste make things far more dangerous.
Ms Davies believes specialists may now be needed to retrieve junk lodged on the sheer cliff face.
To prevent further dumping, she is calling on the council to shut the layby altogether.
A Sacred Place Now Spoiled
The damage goes beyond environmental harm.
For local travel blogger Nathan Dixon, the sight of rubbish on the mountain carries deep personal pain.
He grew up in the village below and recently scattered his father’s ashes on the hillside — a place that meant everything to his family.
Now, that same spot is littered with torn cardboard, dirty plastic, and broken wooden planks.
Mr Dixon says his father spent his life walking those mountains and always wanted to rest there.
“That’s my father’s final resting place,” he said. “And now it’s been treated like a dumping ground.”
He also filmed the devastation, pointing out that the pile of rubbish is visible from three to five miles away.
Council Response and Enforcement Measures
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council insists it takes fly-tipping seriously and is committed to holding offenders accountable.
A spokesperson explained that the authority is trying to strike a balance between protecting the landscape and allowing responsible visitors to enjoy it.
To deter further dumping, the council has installed warning signs and covert cameras around the area.
Anyone caught fly-tipping faces an on-the-spot fine of at least £400, with the possibility of criminal charges.
The council added that Bwlch Mountain is known worldwide for its breathtaking scenery and said it was deeply frustrating that a small number of people continue to damage it for everyone else.
Why Fly-Tipping Keeps Spreading
Natural Resources Wales has also weighed in, describing fly-tipping as a serious environmental crime that harms wildlife, disrupts communities, and costs huge sums to clean up.
The agency revealed that more than 70 per cent of fly-tipping incidents in Wales involve illegal or unlicensed waste collectors.
In many cases, householders unknowingly hire these operators, believing their rubbish is being disposed of properly.
Their advice is clear: anyone paying for waste removal must check that the person collecting it is a registered waste carrier.
What Happens Next?
For now, the rubbish remains — and so does the frustration.
Farmers, locals, and councils are all calling for stronger prevention measures, tougher enforcement, and greater public awareness.
Until lasting action is taken, a mountain once known for its beauty continues to tell a very different story.
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