Starting south of St Helens, the planned Stacked Loop Network of trails will be part of the second stage of the Blue Tier mountain bike trails.

The eventual aim for the trail network is to allow bike riders to ride over the Blue Tiers from Derby to St Helens, encouraging tourists to remain in the area for two or three days at a time.

Premier and Tourism Minister Will Hodgman said the success of the Enduro World Series Shimano Enduro, held in Derby in April, was proof of the state’s excellence in bike tourism.

The Premier said the new St Helens network would be a “unique experience” for coastal mountain bike riding, with trails accommodating beginners through to professional riders.

The $1 million will be announced in the upcoming state budget and provided to Break O’ Day Council to manage the planning, tenders, development and maintenance of the new tracks.

“Tasmania has earned an international reputation for the quality of its cycling and biking offerings from mountain bikes and cross country trails to relaxing rides along quiet country roads with magnificent scenic views,” Premier Hodgman said.

“The success of the MTB Enduro World Series recently staged at Derby was outstanding and further boosted mountain biking as an activity of choice for many of our visitors.”

He said the funding investment would help capitalise on the state’s increasing reputation as a mountain biking hub.

Tasmanian Visitor Survey findings for 2016 reported a 56 per cent increase in mountain bike visitors from 8000 over two years to 20,000.

In April more than 300 competitors from 20 countries tackled the Blue Derby trails in the international Enduro World Series.

Look back through the gallery of Enduro World Series photos here.