AN ICONIC tourist attraction will forever hold "a special place" in many people's hearts after an outpouring of memories were shared following confirmation it will soon be torn down.
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Forestry Corporation announced the charred Sugar Pine Walk trees could not be saved earlier this week after the Bago State Forest was badly burnt by this summer's devastating bushfires.
Batlow Hotel owner Matthew Rudd said the "grandeur" of the Sugar Pine Walk had left many people in awe.
It was always his first recommendation for tourists wanting to explore the area, he said.
"For anyone who has been there, the giant straight trees just look fantastic. No matter who you are, you can't help but be blown away but it," he said.
"It was a great spot, easy to find and easy to get to."
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Mr Rudd said it was "a huge shame" to lose "one of the bigger - if not the biggest - attractions" in the area.
However, he said the Snowy Valleys community has a lot more to offer from the beautiful waterfalls to the snowy landscapes, Blowering Dam and the forests.
Jessica McGill, a former resident of Wagga, said the destination was a unique, special place that she often visited with her friends and their horses.
Before the area was ravaged by fire, she said they would ride their horses in the area and take photographs in the snow.
"You don't see those types of areas around much anymore with the housing and that going up, but to be able to drive not even two hours out of Wagga and find somewhere like that, it is very special," she said.
"I was devastated because it was a special place for us to go."
When remembering the hundreds of people she would see at each visit, especially in winter, Miss McGill said she would "definitely imagine" many others were upset to see this icon torn down.
Uranquinty resident Angela Bagley said it was a beautiful destination that her family loved to explore at anytime of year.
In the summer, Mrs Bagley described the forest as "so relaxing and peaceful" with so many beautiful butterflies flying around. But she said in the winter the Sugar Pine Walk transformed into a "magical" wonderland.
"Even if there were a heap of people visiting the area, everyone was so respectful of each other and the forest," she said.
"It was just a beautiful place to visit with family and explore."
The Sugar Pine Walk site has been strictly closed to the public since the bushfires because the burnt trees are incredibly dangerous to the forest's visitors.
