Forest trail a winner
From the Winter 2006 edition of Bush Telegraph Magazine.
Mountain bike riders traversing the Mundowie Loop – one of the trails in the Tumut State Forest recreational network. Photo by Matthew Pope
The Tumut State Forest recreational trail is attracting a growing number of both locals and visitors including walkers, bike riders and people just simply wanting to walk the dog.
Forests NSW planning manager based at Tumut, Duncan Watt, said it was very exciting to see the trail, which is on the edge of town, used for so many and varied recreational uses.
The trail was officially opened in 2004 and has more than seven kilometres of recreational track.
Construction took place with help from volunteers, Green Corps and Conservation Volunteers Australia, with some of the construction costs covered by sponsorship from the timber industry, Tumut Shire Council and community groups.
Duncan said the trail was now home to the Tumut mountain bike race, which was held for the first time last year during Tumut’s ‘Festival of the Falling Leaf’.
“Last year the event attracted 229 entrants, twice the number expected. This was due to the very positive reviews the trails have received from mountain bike riders,” he said.
The event will be held again this year with organisers expecting a significant increase in participants.
Duncan said the Tumut High School forest fun run will also be held again this year in June.
“The fun run is a fundraiser for the local school and raised more than $1000 in 2005.
“The trail also caters for more serious runners with an eight kilometre loop, or for walkers with a four kilometre loop,” he said.
Tumut State Forest was also the base for a cycle rogaine in 2005 with around 130 participants.
Public Affairs & Media, Albury
