Editing Cwmcarn (section)

== Cwmcarn Forest Drive ==
To the east of the village of Cwmcarn is the popular Cwmcarn Forest Drive, a popular 7 mile drive through hills and forests on the flanks of the mountain of [[Twmbarlwm]] which is operated by [[Natural Resources Wales]]. The area is popular as a tourist site and a location for mountain biking, and has seen significant recent development as the world-class Y Mynydd Mojo [[Downhill cycling|DH]] Track mountain biking trail is attracting an increased volume of visitors. A new £2 million visitor centre has been opened.

In the summer of 2018 the area suffered a spate of extensive fires which were deliberately set and "killed many of the newly-planted saplings on the hillsides."

The area was also a victim of the spread of [[phytophthora ramorum]], which had required the felling of "vast swathes" of larch trees in the area to prevent the disease spreading further.

Natural Resources Wales project manager for Cwmcarn, Geminie Drinkwater, stated in September 2019<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/17889533.cwmcarn-forest-drive---first-stage-restoration-plans-revealed/|title=Cwmcarn Forest Drive – first stage of restoration plans revealed|last=Thomas|first=Nicholas|date=9 September 2019|website=South Wales Argus|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190910220153/https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/17889533.cwmcarn-forest-drive---first-stage-restoration-plans-revealed/ |archive-date=10 September 2019 |access-date=9 September 2019}}</ref> that alongside local activist Robert Southall and Friends of Cwmcarn Forest Drive,<ref name=":0" /> they are now "planting countless native trees, to repopulate Cwmcarn's ancient woodland"<ref name=":0" /> and are "looking to improve the forestry and restore it as a tourist hotspot" in conjunction with the local activist group.<ref name=":0" />