The Amatola Trail is widely regarded as the toughest and best hiking trail in South Africa. A six-day and five-night hike starting at Maden Dam near King Williams Town, traversing the incredible Amatola Mountains and ending in the iconic village of Hogsback.
The Amatola Trail is truly amazing and very strenuous so one needs to be prepared, however the views, remoteness, pristine indigenous forest and endless waterfalls make it a true bucket-lister.
You must be fit and capable of hiking 20km+ / 10 hours a day, never knowing what Mother Nature might throw at you.
Based at Away with the Fairies Nature Lodge and Backpackers in Hogsback, we specialise in selling Packages which make the toughest hiking trail in South Africa a whole lot easier.
A package includes:
Hiking Permit (either for the 6 Day/5 Night Amatola Trail or the 2 Day/1 Night Zingcuka Loop),
Pre and Post Hike Accommodation at Away with the Fairies,
Shuttle to Maden Dam (the start of the Trail),
Safe Parking
Hikers Assistance.
If you require more than a regular package then please go to EXTRAS where you can choose things such as an Airport Pick up and Goodie Drop off, and a hopefully never to be used Extraction Service.
If you don’t need everything in the package, then you can pick and choose any part of it (but this works out more expensive than a discounted package!)
The concept is to book your package through Amatola Trails, and have your permits organised and waiting for you at Away with the Fairies the day before you begin the trail.
Accommodation is at Away with the Fairies the night before you start and on your return. The shuttle to the start of the trail departs from Away with the Fairies at 8am and you can safely leave your vehicle with us for the duration of the hike. Hiker Assistance which entails giving a Map Briefing before you set off and then being on the end of a phone (or WhatsApp) in case of problems during the trail and assisting you in sorting any problems out.
The beautiful village of HOGSBACK is the perfect place to safely base yourself before and after your epic Amatola adventure as it is the end point of the full six-day Amatola Trail, and the start and end point of the two-day Zingcuka Loop.
The Amatola Trail is owned and maintained by The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, (DFFE), so all hikers require a permit – only available through Amatola Trails.
Day 1 is the shortest day of the whole trail, and the only day you don’t need to set off at Daybreak. Our Shuttle takes you from Hogsback to Maden dam. Day one involves a climb over 750m of vertical ascent through the Pirie indigenous forest, leaving the world behind for 6 days of bliss.
After heavy rain you may notice what looks like fresh dog poo everywhere, don’t panic, it’s digested soil from the world’s largest earthworms and they often grow to 1m in length and the largest ever was found nearby measuring 3.2m.
Gwili Gwili Hut is perched on the side of a hill with views forever and a separate braai area and hot showers.
Day 2 looks on paper a relatively easy day as you traverse through indigenous forest the entire distance with the Keiskammahoek Valley below, but don’t be fooled. It’s a long day of undulations which can be exhausting for the less than fit. Fill up with water at the first stream after 1.2km and carry all that you need for the whole day from there. Dontsa Hut is simpler than the other huts but cosy and inviting with a braai and an impressive waterfall nearby.
This is the longest day, and is very tough, but there are lots and lots of outstanding views to make up for it. For the first time you leave the indigenous forest behind as the trail ascends to the plateau, where macchia grassland and a myriad of wildflowers grow. Be careful of the waterfall at the 4km point if there has been rain. You go through the Hovald Forest and then descend past the Cata Forest Station before a leg destroying 550m vertical ascent climb in 5km through the absolutely stunning Waterfall Forest.
The 2nd shortest day starts with a 600m steep ascent to the highest point reached on the trail – The Mighty Geju Peak (1880m). There is an alternate route which bypasses the peak if it is misty – but if not, the awesome views are worth the extra sweat. Cross over a meteorite crash site and then begin the steep descent through the enchanted Malan Forest (1000m descent) into the Mnyameni Gorge. Shorter than the other days, it’s a good opportunity to relax and swim in the many rock pools. Mnyameni Hut is the most isolated which occasionally doesn’t have running water, but there is a stream 10m away where you can wash and drink (not in that order).
My favourite day, but another toughie! There are many swimming places so get a really early start to make the most of them. Most of the day is out in the open except the last few kilometres through the dense Schwarzwald Forest, so the pools are warmer and more inviting than usual. Zingcuka hut is truly special and like all the other huts has a braai and donkey boiler to ease those tired bones.
The last day begins with another series of fantastic waterfalls in the Schwarzwald Forest before a long ascent of 800m almost summiting the main Hogsback peak (1845m), before descending into the Tyume river basin and the end of the trail. You can easily walk the 4km to Hogsback and Away with the Fairies or even better take the Amatola+ through the Auckland Nature Reserve past Madonna and Child Waterfall and The Big Tree and end up at Away with the Fairies Viewpoint. This is another tough day, but the views from Hog 1 showing the previous 6 days hike and then forward to Hogsback are absolutely incredible.
Day1 – Between the Hogs and Day 5’s waterfalls and pools.
A WORLD CLASS DAYS HIKING. With more ascent than any of the 6 days of the Full Amatola Trail. Get a shuttle from Away with the Fairies very early to the start (the end point of the 6-day trail / start of the 2-day trail) just past Madonna and Child Waterfall. Follow the stream up a ludicrously steep path and then hike between Hog 1 and Hog 2 Mountains. Follow the footprints to meet up with Day 5 of the Amatola Trail, following the stream to waterfalls and swimming holes. You then walk along the edge of a cliff path with breath-taking views, and then down a steep precipice to the stunning indigenous Schwarzwald Forest and onto the Zingcuka Hut to overnight.
This day is around 22km, and very strenuous, through intense terrain and at high altitude. It must only be undertaken by fit and well-prepared hikers.
Day 2 – Up and Under Hog 1 – Day 6 of the 6 Day Trail.
Day 2 is the final day of the 6-day trail. Set off as early as you can, starting low in the indigenous forest at Zingcuka Hut and work your way up the back of Hog 1 Mountain. You skirt the side of the peak of the mountain then work your way down towards Hogsback. The views are unbelievable. Towards the end you find yourself following a stream down a steep mountain side with its many waterfalls and swimming pools to the end of the 6-day trail. Maybe opt to do Amatola+ which is to hike through the Auckland Nature Reserve visiting Madonna and Child and The Big Tree to end up in the Away with the Fairies Viewpoint. This makes a big day’s hike – huge. Alternatively follow Wolfridge Road back into Hogsback.
Please note that the differences in packages only apply to the pre and post hike accommodation. On the actual hike you will be sharing a hut at each of the stops with your fellow hikers
To add a few extras to your package (Shuttle service, goody drops, etc) please read here
*Students and Scholars receive a large discount, but must supply a copy of each students Photo ID before payment is made.
Please note that the differences in packages only apply to the pre and post hike accommodation. On the actual hike you will be sharing a hut at each of the stops with your fellow hikers
To add a few extras to your package (Shuttle service, goody drops, etc) please read here
*Students and Scholars receive a large discount, but must supply a copy of each students Photo ID before payment is made.
Please note that these options only apply to the pre and post hike accommodation. On the actual hike you will be sharing a hut at each of the stops with your fellow hikers
To add a few extras to your package (Shuttle service, goody drops, etc) please read here
*Students and Scholars receive a large discount, but must supply a copy of each students Photo ID before payment is made.
Please note that these options only apply to the pre and post hike accommodation. On the actual hike you will be sharing a hut at each of the stops with your fellow hikers
To add a few extras to your package (Shuttle service, goody drops, etc) please read here
*Students and Scholars receive a large discount, but must supply a copy of each students Photo ID before payment is made.
6 Day – 5 Night Full Amatola Trail
The cost of the basic hike is R2000 per person. This includes your hiking permit and 5 nights in the hiker’s huts along the way.
Scholars – There is a nice discount for registered students and scholars and totals R1200 per person. Scholars must supply a copy of their photo student card before payment.
2 Day – 1 Night Zingcuka Loop
The cost of the basic hike for the 2-day/ 1-night trail comes to R700 plus an additional R100 p/person for Hiker’s Assist – totals R800 per person.
Scholars – There is also a discount for registered students and scholars. which for the 2-day/ 1-night trail comes to R500 plus an additional R100 p/person for Hiker’s Assist – totals R600 per person. Scholars must supply a copy of their photo student card before payment.
The minimum number of hikers is at least 4, with the maximum number of hikers being 20
We give a 1-hour Pre-Hike briefing going over all the points to look out for on the trail and giving advice on anything you may need to know. You are given your Trellidor Key and we go over the map during the briefing. If once on the trail you are unsure of anything or run into difficulties, please feel free to call us and we will see what we can do to help. This service is included when booking through Amatola Trails
We have 3 options of where to spend the night before and after the trail.
Striders Shared Self Catering: is tailor made for hiking couples who want to have a touch of extra privacy before and after the trail. There are 9 private Self-Catering rooms that sleep between 2 and 4.
Single Hikers wishing to have their own room will be charged a single supplement – which is the price of the room you sleep in on your return to Hogsback.
Dorms at Away with the Fairies Backpackers: Perfect for hiking groups. Our dorms at Away with the Fairies have access to a shared Lounge, kitchen and 2 bathrooms. Dorms have bedding and pillows, though you will have to use your own towels. You have a choice of either an 8, 6 or 4 bed dorms.
Camping at Away with the Fairies and Striders Cottage: Our campsite at Away with the Fairies is mostly located in and around the forest. Bring all your own camping equipment.
Please let me know how many singles / couples within your group – so we can book your accommodation as best as needed but please note the STRIDERS price is per person sharing so 2 single hikers will be required to share a twin room or pay a single supplement if they require their own room.
We offer a Shuttle service from Hogsback to the start of the trail for R300 per person min 4 pax – (discounted in the package). We depart between 06.00 and 08.00 on the morning of your hike. Departure time will be confirmed when you arrive in Hogsback for your pre-hike briefing.
The 2 Day Zingcuka Loop starts at the end point of the 6 Day Amatola Trail right here in Hogsback, 4 km along a dirt road from Away with the Fairies. A shuttle to the start is available and costs R50 per person, leaving at 6am in Amatola Trails vehicles (Free if you book a package).
Safe Parking
If you book a package through Amatola Trails then we offer Free Safe Parking at Acorn House as standard, allowing you to leave all your cars safely until you return. We charge R100 per vehicle if you haven’t booked through Amatola Trails.
We run a shuttle services to/from Hogsback to/from East London and the airport. This costs R2000 for 1 to 5 people or R3000 for groups of 6 to 15 people each way.
We offer Goodie Drops at all of the overnight huts at varying prices, which depends on the difficulty and time to get to each hut. The price is per drop and not per person.
Hut 1 – Gwili Gwili – R2000
Hut 2 – Dontsa – R1500
Hut 3 – Cata – R2500
Hut 4 – Mnyameni – R2000
Hut 5 – Zingcuka – R500.
We drop off your pre packed goods that are stored in plastic boxes at Away with the Fairies and they will be waiting for you at the overnight hut. We drop off but can’t take any unwanted goods back with us. What you take onto the trail you either eat or carry with you. You have to burn your paper and cardboard waste and carry the rest out!
We can deliver goodies sold at Away with the Fairies including pizza and soft drinks and beers for the Zingcuka Drop at Hut 5 only.
Frozen and Non-Refrigerated goods only please!!
When you order a Goodie Drop we take the opportunity to service the overnight hut that we deliver to. We will check toilets, showers, cleanliness and firewood and make sure it is all up to scratch – so along with the substantial vehicle costs – that is where your money goes!!!
Due to the remoteness of the Amatola Trail we highly recommend signing up for Emergency Evacuation Insurance here which covers Evacuation and Medical Expenses incurred in the movement of the Insured person/s to an appropriate medical facility following illness or accident.
We offer a hiker extraction service for non-emergency situations. Due to the nature of the trail, it is extremely difficult / impossible to get to many parts of the trail in a vehicle. We can however get to all the Overnight Hikers Huts and Forestry Stations in any weather.
The extractions come at varying prices depending on where you need to be extracted and the difficulty and time to get there. The price is per trip and not per person.
Hut 1 – Gwili Gwili – R2000
Hut 2 – Dontsa – R1500
Hut 3 – Cata – R2500
Hut 4 – Mnyameni – R2000
Hut 5 – Zingcuka – R500.
If you call us out for an extraction we take the opportunity to service an overnight hut while we are out on the trail. We will check toilets, showers, cleanliness and firewood and make sure it is all up to scratch – so along with the substantial vehicle costs – that is where your money goes!!! If you know you can’t hike the next day, tell us when you get to the hut and we will spend the morning doing hut maintenance and pick the injured hiker up around 2pm.
Due to very expensive running costs, we still charge the full amount for an extraction even if we are delivering goodies at the same hut.
For Life Threatening emergencies we contact Emergency Medical Services (EMS). This is free for life threatening situations and very very expensive if it is abused.
Prices Valid until 1st April 2023
When making a booking we require The Hike Leaders name, address and contact number, the number of hikers and the preferred date to commence the trail. Once that has been done, in order to secure your booking, we require either a non-refundable 25% deposit or payment in full.
All Students must send through a photo copy of their student ID in order to get the Student Price.
The trail is owned by the Dept. of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment. Amatola Trails does however endeavor to keep the trail in the best possible condition with very limited resources. If hikers order Goodie Drops or an Extraction then the drivers will also undertake some basic hut maintenance at the same time. We make sure that the Toilets, Showers, Firewood and Cleanliness are all up to scratch while we are out on the trail.
Thin liner socks help to reduce the chance of blisters.
Leave a clean set of clothes in the car for the ride back.
The food items listed are merely a guideline for lightweight non-perishables. Chop and change to taste.
If you have space (and weight) to spare, a fresh apple every day is a treat.
Guide for backpack weight: 20% of body-weight for adults (15% for children), depending on fitness and experience
Absolutely, and it’s extremely welcome!!! The roads getting to the overnight huts are extremely challenging, and it is prohibitively expensive keeping vehicles which are capable of getting to all the huts in extreme weather, on the road. It is also very expensive to keep the huts in a condition that is suitable for hikers to enjoy, which is an ongoing challenge. Goodie Drops and Extractions help, but don’t cover the costs, so if you would like the trail to improve and are in a position to make a donation, then please contact us at amatolatrails@gmail.com.
The huts are constantly in a changing condition and are by nature very basic. The huts have bunks with mattresses and a trellidor that locks at night, there is also an axe, braai facilities, firewood, long drop or flushing toilets.
There is hot water at most of the huts provided by lighting fires under donkey boilers. It is a big task to produce hot water, with cutting wood for kindling and building a fire which can be tricky in wet conditions. Sometimes it is worth the effort though!
I am afraid that due to the nature of the trail, intermittent cell reception and remoteness the minimum number of hikers is 4.
The hike is very long and very tough. No children under the age of 15.
The best time to do the Amatola Trail, in my opinion, is autumn and spring with May being generally the best month although beware of early snow. Summer can be very hot and very cold and very wet – but then again it can also be absolutely perfect. Autumn and spring have less chance of the extremes. Winter is the dry season, but there is the chance of snow and the days are shorter so the trail is closed for June, July and August.
No, not all. There is water most of the way along the trail with only day 2 being a concern where you will need to fill up at the first stream around 2 to 3 litres for the day. The water is safe to drink all along the trail. There are no villages above the trail so the water is safe to drink untreated, but if you are worried then better safe than sorry as you never know what is in the stream further up. After heavy rain the water can be very muddy, so you can filter through your clothes or bring a filter with you if the forecast is bad.
Yes, but we offer Goodie Drops (Below)
Kind of, but not really. We offer Goodie Drops at all of the overnight huts at varying prices, which depends on the difficulty and time to get to each hut. The price is per drop and not per person.
Hut 1 – Gwili Gwili – R2000
Hut 2 – Dontsa – R1500
Hut 3 – Cata – R2500
Hut 4 – Mnyameni – R2000
Hut 5 – Zingcuka – R500.
We drop off your pre packed goods that are stored in plastic boxes at Away with the Fairies and they will be waiting for you at the overnight hut. We drop off but can’t take any unwanted goods back with us. What you take onto the trail you either eat or carry with you. You have to burn your paper and cardboard waste and carry the rest out!
We can deliver goodies sold at Away with the Fairies including pizza and soft drinks and beers for the Zingcuka Drop at Hut 5 only.
Frozen and Non-Refrigerated goods only please!!
I would recommend getting up before sunrise and be ready to hike by 6am. The days are long and there is lots to experience along the way. Leaving early allows you time to enjoy the places that you want to spend time at.
You don’t need to be a super-athlete, with hikers of all ages (15+), shapes and sizes complete the trail regularly. It does however help to be a physically active person, and be capable of hiking up to 10 hours a day on 6 consecutive days.
If your group initially books for 12 or more hikers then we try to keep the booking date to that group alone. For smaller group bookings, then there may be other groups booked at the same time and sharing the trail and huts.
I’m afraid not. There are litter bins at each hut, but due to the challenge that the Dept. of Forestry face getting to the huts to empty them, we ask that all rubbish is carried out with each hiker. All paper and cardboard can be burnt and plastic rinsed out and carried to the end.
Amatola Trails offers only a service and no physical product and works as an independent Booking Agent linking Hiking Permits, Accommodation, Shuttle Services, Parking Venues and offering advice for the Hikers Assist – and as such cannot be held responsible or liable for any injury, death, loss, cancellation or unforeseen circumstance coming from any of these products for whatever reason or under whatever circumstance. All advice given before, during or after the Amatola Trail is taken completely at the hikers own risk.
COVID-19 – If the trail is not open when your hike is due to commence then it will be postponed to a future convenient date (as dictated as being available by The Department of Forestry and Fisheries and Environment, or if no such date is known then moved exactly one year into the future, at no penalty to the hiker. We regret that no refunds of deposits are available.
The 25% deposit paid upon booking is non-refundable under any circumstances. Any payments made in full result in the extra 75% (over and above the deposit) is fully refundable if cancellation is made 30 days or more before the trail is due to commence. Cancellation made within 30 days will result in all payments being lost. Please remember that bookings can be postponed and the hikers can be transferred.
With it’s world famous bath on the edge of a cliff and friendly staff Away With the Fairies Backpackers is your best destination for a fulfilling Hogsback experience.
Check out their website over here
Having moved from East London to Kleinemonde in January 2008 Dave saw the opportunity to start a canoe trail on the Kleinemonde West River. The canoe trail was established in October 2008
Check out some awesome hiking and canoe trails over here
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