Excellent progress continues to be made in the delivery of a range of exciting improvements to Dare Valley Country Park, with work on the Gravity Family Bike Park nearing completion.

The Gravity Family Bike Park forms part of the wider £1.5m investment comprising of funding from both RCT Council and the Welsh Government’s Valleys Regional Park programme, with Dare Valley Country Park one of the designated Discovery Gateway Sites, which promote and celebrate the outstanding natural beauty and epic open spaces of the South Wales Valleys.

As a Discovery Gateway Site, the Country Park is considered a top destination to draw visitors to, from which they can “launch” into a wider exploration of all the region has to offer.

Through the investment, the Country Park will soon be able to offer the exciting Gravity Family Bike Park facility, which will allow people of all ages to cycle down Penrhiwllech Mountain on new mountain bike trails, making a pit stop at the three pump tracks along the way.

An uplift service will transport riders to the top of the mountain and the start of the trails. Visitors can bring their own bikes and equipment or hire them from the on-site mountain bike hub.

The Bike Park has been designed to specifically cater for families and riders of all ages and abilities and is set to open when COVID-related restrictions allow.

Councillor Ann Crimmings, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure and Heritage Services, said: “Dare Valley Country Park has always been a treasured destination for visitors from near and far, offering a great day out.

“It has something for everyone – from a recently improved adventure playground for children to epic walks around the surrounding countryside and mountains. Nature-lovers flock to the Park to see the Peregrine falcons and other wildlife – it has such a wide appeal.

“Gravity Family Bike Park will add a new dimension to the Country Park, providing mountain biking opportunities for all ages in beautiful surroundings. The on-site accommodation and modernised caravan facilities mean it’s a great place for the whole family to visit for the weekend – or longer once the COVID-19 restrictions allow.

“With Zip World Tower opening on the Rhigos Mountain this year, adding to the already successfully established Welsh Mining Experience, Penderyn Whisky Distillery and the Royal Mint Experience, Rhondda Cynon Taf is continuing to secure its position as a popular tourist destination with lots of places for visitors, families and groups to enjoy. We also look forward to re-opening the National Lido of Wales, Lido Ponty, once the restrictions allow.”

Dare Valley Country Park continues to cement its position as one of South Wales’ best attractions, offering:

Free entrance and parking
Gravity Family Bike Park, including uplift, trails, pump tracks and bike hire (prices to be confirmed)
Huge, modernised adventure playground with new and accessible equipment plus a smaller play area for younger children.
Caravan site with refurbished shower facilities.
Newly refurbished on-site accommodation, which has family rooms, wheelchair-accessible rooms and dog-friendly rooms.
New-look Black Rock Café, selling a huge range of meals, snacks, salads, pizzas and more.
Walks and trails through surrounding countryside and mountain treks.
Dark Sky Wales accredited location – it has the perfect night skies for star-gazing.