BikePark Wales has just signed a new lease with Natural Resources Wales. The terms are groundbreaking we believe as this creates an amazing legacy for the next generation of riders both from an environmentally and commercially sustainable perspective. In summary, it means no more commercial forestry based on a monoculture.  Instead, they will rewild the forest, extend their trail network, add accommodation to the overall offering and drive the commercial model with Natural Resources Wales through the bike park revenues from our riders via the rent they pay. A model to inspire. What is not to love?

Here is the detail:

BikePark Wales has signed a new 33-year lease with Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to transform 400 acres of Welsh mountainside. This groundbreaking agreement will see revenue from visiting mountain bikers invested in a Future Forest Vision, aiming to restore much of the mountain to a more natural state through rewilding. This also means that the core bike park area will be taken out of commercial forestry moving from a monoculture to a bio-diverse forest.

This bodes well as a future model as a more bio-diverse forest means less impact from diseases like Larch and Ash dieback which has decimated large forestry areas (in the EU) dependent on one monoculture. It also is a testament to the commercial success of BikePark Wales in making this not just environmentally but also a commercially sustainable model. A model to foster wider maybe. 

The plan includes:

• Adding new trails: 9 climbing trails, 27 downhill trails, 7 linking trails, and 2 new skills areas
• Expanding the visitor area and car park
• Introducing sustainable accommodation options like glamping pods and chalets
• Implementing a rewilding initiative to promote biodiversity and forest resilience

Martin Astley from BikePark Wales explained: "This isn't classic 'rewilding' but it's as close as we can get, and the trails will allow riders to go deep into our wilderness. What is exciting is that no one has seen what the more natural state of these hills really looks like for a couple of centuries. And now we'll get to find out".

The Future Forest Vision includes creating an arboretum, improving forest health through diversification, and establishing a seed bank for other potential sites across the country. This project aims to capture carbon, boost biodiversity, and create new jobs while maintaining BikePark Wales' status as a world-class mountain biking destination

Elsie Grace from NRW added: "This partnership demonstrates how the NRW-managed estate can successfully combine commercial activity which benefits the Welsh economy and is sympathetic to the environment"

This innovative collaboration between BikePark Wales and Natural Resources Wales sets a new standard for sustainable trail development and forest management in the UK mountain biking community.

At the end of the day it's all about partnership so it is a win-win for both BikePark Wales and Natural Resources Wales. Lots of hard work to get here and to say it again a model to inspire. 

Check out the BikePark Wales listing:

BikePark Wales (ibikeride.com)