Hogsback

Hogsback a magical world of forests and mountains in the Eas

Hogsback overwelms with its peacefulness, broken only by the singing of birds or the primeval call of the Knysna Lourie - even the chatter of a troop of Samango monkeys as they feed and play in the canopies of trees.

The Hogsback village, high up on the Amatola mountains and surrounded by centuries-old indigenous Afro-montane forests, has a dramatic natural beauty. Look towards the mountains and escarpment and you see several waterfalls. In the other direction you can see the Tyume valley and beyond. Overlooking it all are the "three Hogs". From the top of Gaikas Kop (1700 m) you have a panoramic view: The Elandsberg mountains and the Seymour valley, even the coastline some 120 km away as the crow flies.

And in winter you may find even the lower-lying parts of Hogsback covered by a blanket of snow. A silent winter wonderland that seems far removed from the hot days and noisy thunderstorms of summer.

Here in Hogsback you will also find magnificent gardens, with exotic plants from Australia, Europe, North America, the Himalayas, China and Japan. The gardens of Hogsback are an attraction that brings several gardening tour groups from as far as Cape Town and Johannesburg every year.

Hogsback is home to several accomplished artists, including painters, potters, poets, musicians, singers, and photographers. They, as well as many other active and retired professional and business people live a rich personal and community life here. There are active garden clubs, book clubs, and a chamber music group. A number of parents on Hogsback home-school their children.

Hogsback offers so much to those who want to break away from the rush of city life - walking, mountain biking, horse riding, bird watching, trout fishing, and mountain climbing. Or simply relaxing, enjoying an aromatherapy massage, Indian head and shoulders massage, reflexology, or just enjoying a book.

The village of Hogsback, in it’s fairytale setting of mists, mountains and primeval forests, is one of the most popular holiday destinations in South Africa. Hogsback is set in the Amatola Mountains of the Eastern Cape. It takes it’s name from three lofty mountains nearby, each resembling the bristly-backed wild hogs roaming the forest areas. It’s climate is cool to warm in summer, but cold in winter. Snow falls most years, usually between May and September. Today – a far cry from the turbulent warring era of the mid 19^th century – visitors come to Hogsback for it’s enchantment and tranquility; for it’s pure mountain air, for walks through the forest admiring the lush vegetation, the massive yellowwoods and huge ferns, the wild flowers the prolific birdlife, the waterfalls and the mountain streams, for climbing, swimming, bowls, tennis, horse riding and trout fishing, for enjoyment of the lazy days of summer, or the crisp wintry nights around roaring log fires; for the comfortable accommodation, the country cooking and the relaxing company of like minded folk. Besides possessing a wealth of indigenous and ,foreign’ vegetation. Hogsback is one of the few areas in the country where berries grow well. Red, white and black currants, black berries, raspberries, logan berries, strawberries and English gooseberries all thrive in the region, and some local entrepreneurs are bottling and marketing these with great success. An historic local landmark, the Hogsback Inn, in co-operation with the Department of Forestry, provides a useful service for walkers and others wishing to explore the area. Routes are defined by various markers using the Inn’s ‘hog’emblem in it’s four basic colours. A ‘piggy book’ guide is available locally.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Alice 34 km, Cathcart 48 km, Fort Beaufort 54 km, King Williams Town 88 km

Altitude: 1300 m above sea level

Average Rainfall: 1250 mm per year, mostly during summer

Banks – None

Mountains

Amatola Mountains

HISTORICAL VIEW

Big Tree

A massive yellowwood, reputed to be the oldest and largest in the Cape. Twenty minutes walk from the main road.

Mitchells Fort

The remains of a British Fort built during the Frontier Wars. Declared a national monument. About one hour’s walk

Oak Avenue

A short distance from the village, consisting of oak trees planted in the 1880’s. The avenue is used for interdenominational church service at Easter and Christmas when, by traditional custom, worshippers are seated on logs placed across the road.

St Patrick on the Hill

A quaint little thatched church, originally a private chapel, where interdenominational service are held. About 2 km from the village, toward Cathcart

NATURE

Hogsback State Forest

Situated on the western edge of the Amatola mountain range, 32 km by tar from Alice and 50 km by gravel road from Cathcart. This mountainous area is covered by approximately 800 ha indigenous and 300 ha pine forests which supply furniture and structural timber, as well as outdoor recreational potential. Interesting day walks lead to numerous unique waterfalls and a nature reserve in the indigenous forest. High points in the reserve offer breathtaking panoramas. Summers are mild and winters dry with frequent snowfalls. The area enjoys a diversity of flora and fauna and is an ornithologist’s paradise. Trout fishing is a local pastime. Camping facilities for tents and caravan and a picnic site for day visitors are also found here.

Waterfalls

A popular attraction locally. Among these are the Madonna and Child, the Swallowtail, th Bridal Veil and the aptly named Kettle Spout, where the water forces it’s way through a natural cliff-top spout and blows upward when the wind blows from a certain direction.

ATTRACTIONS

Bramble Hill Handspun Wool

A thatched dwelling, about 5 km from Hogsback towards Cathcart, where wool is spun in the tradition manner.

Hobbiton-on-Hogsback

An outdoor Adventure Centre for children, run by Eastern Cape service organizations. Visits by prior arrangement only

Little Timbers Garden and Arboretum

Almost opposite St Patrick on the Hill Church, features a fascinating and truly unique plant collection, plus certain trees which make the ‘Fall’colours of these Eastern States of the USA so memorable. The park also houses a number of the great timber trees of North America and Scandinavia. The lake in the grounds is stocked with trout

ACTIVITIES

Hiking

Permits are required for walks in the State Forests and are obtainable, at nominal cost, from the Forestry Department and hotels. A beautiful picnic / braai site, with toilet facilities, is open to the public.

Amatola Hiking Trail

Gaika’s Kop (Day Walk)

Named after the Xhosa warrior chief, 1954 m above sea level and known locally as ‘ the big mountain’. Spectacular outlook. An enjoyable full day’s walk.

Piggy Trail

Leads through the forest in the area

Tor Doone

A local peak, with splendid panoramic views. About 2 – 3 hours walk

Fishing

WHERE TO STAY

Lowestoffe Country Lodge (Hogsback)

Nestling in the beautiful Elandsberg, close to Hogsback are 2 up market, luxury self catering lodges on 3000 ha of farmland. We offer plenty of privacy, large gardens, log fires and full service. Activities include river and dam trout fishing, walks, bird watching, tennis, horse riding, night drives and great relaxation.

Accommodation in and around Hogsback