Tokoroa’s Hidden Bushlandish Bike Track
Tokoroa’s bush adventure awaiting exploration.
Who doesn’t love a good walk in nature or a mountain bike through the
forest? Well, Cougar Park is the perfect little hidden gem.
Located on the southeast side of Tokoroa on 56 Mossop Road, it is an adventure for the family.
Cougar Park offers walking tracks through the bush and tracks
for you to take the bikes out on. Most of the tracks are through the bush, although
there are some tracks where the trees have been cut down and replanted.
The recent changes make for some clear views of the rolling landscape
and really makes for an interesting ride or walk.
Cougar Park runs through bush land owned by Hancock Forest Management NZ as explained by Larry Sullivan.
“The forestry company that we’re working with over here then gave us this block of land to work with”
Larry sullivan
Hancock Forest Management NZ offered the Tokoroa Mountain Bike Club to build Cougar Park on the land after the previous location had been turned into dairy farms.
The Tokoroa Mountain Bike Club oversees the maintenance and organisation of Cougar Park, and recently added some new tracks into the park, all named after the ‘Flintstones’ series.
According to Larry, the club used to build the tracks by hand but in recent years they have been getting professional builders in to create the tracks, making them more interesting and complex for those who want the more difficult rides.
The tracks range in difficulty, which makes for adventurous
fun for people of all age and skill levels. The tracks include jumps, sharp
corners, steep inclines and declines with a lot of flat ground for people to
enjoy.
The site has multiple entrances making it easier to get to
some of the newer tracks, or even your favourite tracks.
When speaking with Larry, I asked him what his favourite
track was. His response was the Speedy Cheater, his favourite downhill track.
The bush itself makes for a beautiful and calming experience.
The smells and sights are worth stopping for and experiencing. There are even
some great spots to pause and take a selfie.
Cougar Park has multiple events held on site, most held by
organisations outside of the Tokoroa Mountain Bike Club, although the club does
hold three events of its own. These are the Winter Night Rides, Organised Club
Rides and Twilight Summer Rides.
So, if you are looking for a fun ride or walk with your
family soon, look at Cougar Park if you are passing through.
