Cwmcarn Forest has been awarded grant funding of £160,000 to improve its visitor experience.
The money is made up of £128,000 from the Welsh Government and £32,000 from Caerphilly County Borough Council.
The bike trail network will be expanded by 3km, walking trails will be improved with better footpaths and signage, and a new ‘arrival zone’ will be created at its entrance.
There will also be a focus on developing more family-orientated activities.
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s deputy leader, Cllr Sean Morgan, said: “Cwmcarn Forest remains one of the county borough’s premier tourism venues, attracting walkers and mountain bikers from across Wales and even further beyond.
“This substantial grant funding will hugely benefit the attraction, allowing us to enhance the offering for visitors for many years to come.”
The Welsh Government funding has come via its Tourist Amenity Investment Support (TAIS) scheme.
Tourism Minister Lord Elis-Thomas said: “The Tourism Amenity Investment Support scheme is an excellent way for us to assist the tourism sector to make the improvements to the local facilities and amenities.
“Visitors expect the best quality in all aspects of their visit from the accommodation through to information provision, toilets and parking. This is an opportunity for us to help the industry get the building blocks right.”
Islwyn Assembly Member Rhianon Passmore, whose constituency covers Cwmcarn Forest, welcomed the announcement.
She said: “I hope this investment will provide a valuable boost to tourism in Islwyn and attract more people to visit the exceptional walking and mountain biking facilities that are on offer at Cwmcarn Forest.”
Excellent news. Great to see investment in something that has real value to our community and visitors.
More of this investment we need. Tourism is the future and we need to embrace it. It also helps people keep fit and this will reduce pressure on the health service. Brilliant news