Udhagamandalam: The Queen of the Hills got a new attraction on Friday, when a Mountain Bike Park was opened in Ooty.

The mountain bike park is built on the region’s hilly terrain, which gives it its natural bumps and curves and simulates real mountainous conditions.

With elements like the teeter-totter, switchbacks, sponge pits, suspension bridge and various jump ramps, the bike park makes the ride relatively interesting and eventful.

Not even a single tree was disturbed while laying the tracks. This endeavour is to promote cycling as faster, fitter and greener activity, said Arun Alagappan, senior vice-president, TI Cycles, which has put up the bike park.

This is the second such park by TI Cycles after the one on its premises at Ambattur near Chennai.

The bike park has been put up by the company on land provided the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC). The company is providing necessary infrastructure, including 29 bikes, which will enable the tourists experience the adventure of mountain biking.

The Mountain Bike Park, built at a cost of Rs 25 lakh on two acres near the Ooty lake, has three difficulty levels — beginner, intermediate and expert. There are trained personnel to help the tourists visiting the bike park, which has four laps. A fee of Rs 10 is charged per lap. With the launch of the mountain bike park in Ooty, the company is looking forward to organizing corporate camps and workshops for mountain biking. In association with a number of schools in the region, the idea of forming a mountain biking club in Ooty is also on the cards, according to the company.

Nilgiris district collector Archana Patnaik, who inaugurated the bike park said, “the timing of the launch of the park is opportune as the administration is looking for a theme-based event for the tourist summer season.” The bike park will be open to visitors throughout the year.