Hiking Trail Description

	A big Yellowwood tree at Hogsback

This trail is situated in the Amatola range, one of the most scenic mountain areas in Southern Africa. It starts from Maden dam, 22 km's from King William's Town and ends 3 km from Hogsback at the Tyume River. The Hogback hamlet (immortalized as the place that kindled the imagination of a young J.R.R. Tolkien with visions of hobbits, dwarf lords and elfin kings of the Middle Earth kingdom) is perhaps the best known area of the Amatolas, and its surroundings provide a glimpse of what the trail has to offer.

What it does have to offer is a little bit of everything. Whole days are spent in high climax Afro-montane forest. There are rolling mountain plateaux swathed in rich mountain fynbos and sprinkled with with wild flowers. Countless rivers, streams, waterfalls and pools. There are isolated peaks and dark secretive gorges, open grassy glades and distant views across the Evelyn, Keiskamma, Wolf, Tyume and other lush river basins. This trail is a definite must. It is not, however, an easy hike, with days as long as 19 km and averaging 16.5 km over the 100 km, 6 day trail. But aside from the overwhelming natural environment, an aspect of the trail that makes it even more fascinating is that it was the focus of some decisive battles between British and Xhosa forces in the 100 years of the Frontier Wars. Amatola means 'place of many calves'. The meadows here were used as grazing lands by the Xhosa, and by the Hottentots before them. Comfortable huts, firewood, water and toilets are provided.

Hogsback Waterfall

Day 1 - Maden Dam to Gwili-Gwili: 15.3 km / 7 hours. This is a fairly demanding walk through indigenous forest. A timber hut with large glass windows has magnificent views over both the Buffalo and Keiskamma River catchments. An outdoor braai area is hidden in a forest thicket together with a cold shower.

Day 2 - Gwili-Gwili to Dontsa: 18,5 km / 8 km hours. The trail walks along the western side of the ridge linking the Buffalo Mountains and the main Amatola Range below Mount Thomas. The hut is the only one on the trail with a fireplace within. Below the wooden hut is a high waterfall.

	Forest around Hogsback.

Day 3 - Dontsa Forest to Cata Forest: 19,1 km / 8,5 hours. This is a strenuous climb to the plateau grasslands with a steep descent to the Eseka River below. A timber hut is/wil replace the old hut, which was damaged in a fire. The hut is beautifully situated in an amphitheatre dominated by Geju and Cata Peaks.

Day 4 - Cata Huts to Mnyameni Valley: 14 km / 7 hours. The distance is just under 14 km and the trail climbs to Geju Peak (1880 m) affording magnificent views as far as the Queenstown area and the sea on clear days. Look out for the Black Eagles.

Day 5 - Mnyameni Hut to Zingcuka Forest: 18.2 km / 8.5 hours. The trail starts with a steep climb. Look out for birds of prey, baboons and dassies. Many pools along the trail provide an ideal resting place. Bushbuck, duiker, samango monkeys and loeries inhabit the Schwarzwald Forest. It is about a two-hour walk to the hut from the last pool.

Day 6 - Zingcuka Hut to Tyume River (Hogsback): 15 km / 7 hours. The Last day continues through the forest and passes an impressive waterfall before scaling the slopes of Hog 1 and then descending down the upper reaches of the Tyume valley.

Direction: Travel north from King William’s Town on the road to Stutterheim for 13 km. Turn left at the sign and after crossing the Rooikraans Dam wall, when you get to the Pirie Trout Hatchery sign don’t turn left but keep going straight. The starting point is front of the caretaker’s home at Maden Dam. The total distance is 22km from King William’s Town.

Numerous shorter trails allow visitors to experience selected parts of the route. These include the two day Evelyn, Dontsa, Cata and Zingcuka Loop trails, and there are a few other points of exit and entry on the main trail. For those interested in having both a cultural experience and enjoy the finest the Amatola’s have to offer there is the Wolf River Trail. Visitors can enjoy day walks from here, horse riding, mountain biking, trout fishing or go hiking without having to carry a heavy kit bag. One can also end the Amatola trail here making it a 5-day 5-night trail and cutting the total distance to 86km.