The Amatola Trail, Day 6 including + –Zingcuka to Hogsback – (Zingcuka – Eastern Cape, ZA)

Please note this recording features the official Day 6 route and the Amatola plus (+) section. The official route of Day 6 of the Amatola Trail begins at Zingcuka Hut and ends at the signboards on the Eastern banks the Tyume River near the top of Madonna and Child Waterfall, approximately 16km in total.

So why does the trail finish here one might ask? Why not just finish in Hogsback? The simple reason was one of border lines back in the 1980’s. In those years the Ciskei Tourism Board commissioned the services of Jaynee Levy, an American who is responsible for opening up many of the routes we still use today. As a side note, If one ever gets the chance to get hold of one of her books, take the opportunity, they are a treasure trove of South African hiking information. The instruction back then was simple, the entire Amatola trail was to fall within the borders of the Ciskei. Long story short it is for this reason that the official trail ends at the signboards on the Eastern bank of the Tyume River, this was the old border. It’s also why part of the route sticks to the Keiskammahoek side of the ridge on route to Dontsa. History is history but this still presents one with the awkward situation that once the trail is finished, it’s still a minimum of 3 to 4 kilometers to reach their accommodation in Hogsback! Enter the solution, the Amatola plus section. This section is almost like a one last hurrah or a bid adieu to the dense afromontane forest scenery that has made up the majority of the Amatola’s distance. Its how it started and almost appropriate that this is how it should end. This being said, when including the plus section, it arguably makes the very last day the most brutal of them all. As far as distance and elevation gain goes, it’s the tallest order in both categories, and it comes right at the end, when one’s energy is all but depleted. Some might exclaim that this was their hardest day, even if the plus section is excluded.

Going over the Hog is a climb, but its an epic feat and a great note to end on. If one simply cannot fathom the idea of another 4km through forest (with a nasty climb up at the end) the alternate option after the ‘trail completed’ sign is to take Wolfridge road all the way into town. Shorter, quicker, but less scenic. An even easier option would be to send the fit ones in the group to fetch cars in town and then fetch you, or arrange a pickup near the Tyume River. This has happened numerous times over the years and technically the Amatola is complete, the plus section could be viewed as only for the overachievers or out of necessity. Either way this route over the Hog is a big day out by any standards, expect a good night’s sleep thereafter.

There is an alternative for those whose legs just can’t carry them anymore, or if the weather is fowl or dangerous, it involves bypassing the Hog and taking the road almost all the way from Zingcuka Hut to the Top of Madonna and Child Waterfall before including the plus section. I’ve included this route in the Amatola series of Days as it was our only option during our 2024 trip due to this route over the Hog being closed, fortunately it reopened in 2025. In 2025 our attempt of this Day 6 route began with a fairly late start. The previous evening at Zingcuka Hut was dead quiet with nothing more that the distinctive “Whouww” single call of the African Wood Owl to break the silence every so often.

Early the next day we packed up and locked all the necessary items away before getting boots to ground. A hot clear day with little to no wind was on the cards so perfect conditions to get the views from up high. The forest was still slightly dark but there was more than enough light to see without aid. Leaving the footpath from Zingcuka Hut it was a short way along the road before single track footpath departs on the left-hand side once again, this was a faint path but fairly well marked. Soon after navigating this slippery section of the Swartzwald Forest is the fork with the option to descend sharply to the impressive Baine’s Falls and climb out on the other side, or one can take the shortcut and skip this section (Be on the lookout for the trail being closed here, you will be advised in your briefing). After a few river and stream crossings in the forest we arrived at the gravel road, nearly a month straight of rain in the area before our arrival meant the rivers were swollen and crossing was sometimes a challenge.

Here at the road its straight over on the other side to climb over the Hog, a yellow footprint on a large boulder points the way. From here the trail steepens noticeably and its uphill for a very long way. Passing a large waterfall on the right (which one can only really see through the foliage) and climbing a makeshift tree ladder up a steep incline with a rope to support we arrived at another waterfall pool above. Removing boots and crossing here we soon reached a gravel forestry road and took a left on it, shortly thereafter a right on footpath well marked with yellow footprints led us to yet another road. Here it was left again with the path clearly exiting on the right-hand side once again. Another large waterfall flowed strongly above, the trail climbs on the left-hand side of it until above the falls.

Soon we passed a small concrete-built weir, and the Hog was visible high above. It may appear like a hill but it’s a lot farther and higher than it appears from a distance. Soon after a few more intersections which are clearly marked the climb up the Hog began. Starting out its through a lot of dense alien vegetation, glad to see that some has been removed. As for the path it consists of some very long switchback sections that hold their course for quite a while before cutting back and changing direction. The views become more and more impressive as the altitude gains, the vast expanse of a plateau lies below, its dotted with rogue pines providing some sense of scale. Soon the other high peaks of the area become visible, and the sightlines are vast. Geju, Mnyameni Peak and Mount Kemp mark out nearly the entire Amatola journey. It’s quite remarkable to see just how far one has walked.

Eventually reaching the corner where a rocky narrow and steep descent gap or corridor allows you to reach the Western side of the Hog. On this corner some outcrop rocks provide some of the best views of the whole day. Views of nearly the whole Amatola stretch completed including what still needs to be walked to Hogsback can be seen far below. There are vast expanses to the South, while Northward is the narrowest view of the Hogs spine. Once the rocky descent section is made it becomes clear why the trail crosses through where it did. High cliffs of Dolerite tower above which would require abseiling equipment should one need to cross higher up. The trail continues below this impressive rock line ascending slightly until the highest point of the day is reached. With careful calibration I recorded 1776m on this section, this makes sense as the summit beacon of the Hog lies at 1836.1m asl on the cliffs above, about 60m difference seems correct eyeing these walls of rock. This means that its just shy of the height reached on Geju Peak on Day 4 (+-1880m) so not the highest point on the Amatola but very near to it, or possibly the highest if Geju Peak is skipped on Day 4 in favour of that shortcut.

Walking along this section the rocks take on an interesting shape, very clearly visible is what looks like the profile of a face. Some older locals at the Hogshead Tavern told us that some call it the ‘Hogsback Guardian’ and believe that it watches over those in the town. Very noticeable and almost Tolkien Argonath esque for those with some imagination.

After crossing nearly the entire length of the Hog’s rocky spine, the trail departs onto the mountains Northwestern Spur where it descends to a viewpoint on an outcrop edge. Here one can look back an see the full extent of the traverse across the Hog. From here it’s a short way down to an intersection where the trail joins Day 1 of the Zingcuka Loop going in the opposite direction so be mindful that you may see markings in both directions here. From here its down through a pine plantation section with younger trees until a forestry road is met. A right is required on this road and it’s followed for about 600 meters before turning left at a bend and under taller pines. Here there were hundreds of Fly Agaric Mushrooms (The red ones with small white dots which fairies sit on) after good rains in 2025.

Soon another road is met and it’s a right on this road for about 300 meters before the footpath departs to the left. Soon it’s into indigenous forest and the Tyume river is reached near an impressive cascade. This next section is beautiful but includes the steepest sustained descent of the day and after wet days prior expect it to be very slippery and slower going than you may hope. Eventually the forest gives way at another forestry road and here is a sign showing ‘Upper Tyume Falls’. Crossing this road on footpath was a literal bog, ‘Bogsback’ instead of Hogsback was what we were calling the area in 2025 there was just so much mud and sludge.

Fortunately, shortly thereafter was the trail completion sign and for some reason this just seems to lift the weary spirit as one takes photos and celebrates a victory here. As mentioned above, this is the official endpoint of the Amatola and its your call from here. Im not sure of the numbers but I imagine there are a good few motivated and extra fit individuals who will simply need to include the plus section and for that reason I have included it as part of this recording.

After the trail completion signs turning right on Wolfridge road and sticking on it for a short way the signs for Amatola Plus appear. Now its decision time if one hasn’t already made up their mind. Continuing on Wolfridge road is straightforward all the way into Hogsback but be warned its not a stone’s throw either, once in town a left on Main Road and then following signs to Away with the Fairies or anywhere else would be relatively simple (you may want to consult a map). Taking a left and heading on the Amatola Plus involves heading down a wooden staircase until an intersection on boardwalk pointing to Madonna and Child Waterfall is reached. It only makes sense to make the short detour and see these impressive falls while one is here. Done at the falls its back along the boardwalk, not taking the stairs just descended but continuing in the direction of the ‘Big Tree’ or ‘Bridal Veil falls’ signs.

The boardwalk is slippery and in need of some work so one will want to be careful, but this entire section is well signed with ‘piggy’ signboards pointing the way at any important intersections. Head in the direction of the Big Tree, it’s hard to miss as its massive and has a steel fence protecting it from those who would be inclined to deface this 800+ year old giant. It’s known as the Eastern Monarch and it’s the largest Common or Outeniqua Yellowwood tree in the province and one of, if not the largest in the country. We were told in our briefing that it may have even been the inspiration for Treebeard in the Lord of the Rings. Tolkein’s childhood nanny from Hogsback may have had something to do with that. Fact or fiction it remains an impressive specimen and its mind blowing to think that this tree was possibly already growing around the time King John was signing the Magna Carta in 1215, or when the Mongol Empire was expanding rapidly, and the Crusades were underway.

After some time admiring the big tree, the trail continues uphill and it’s a very noticeable climb of only about 150m of vertical gain but at this point in the day it feels like it could be double this at least. Fortunately, the end is very much in sight, those not staying at Away with the Fairies will need to continue to the exit on Main Road, while those staying at Fairies (I imagine the majority) will pop up right on the properties’ lawn. From here its just a few happy paces to the pub, your bed, shower, food, the viewpoint, cliff edge bath or whatever else it is you desire most at that point.

As it’s been a long day there may not be much time left for exploring but its well worth an extra day of decompression in Hogsback the day after the hike. I think too many arrive for the Amatola, finish it, crash and leave the next day at the crack of dawn and miss out on some of the charm of the town. If not done before the trail is started, The Edge Viewpoint and Labyrinth, the Ecoshrine, Crystal Shop, Starways Pottery shop and theater, Historic Hogsback Inn, Hogshead Tavern, Arboretum and the many quaint restaurants and shops make for an ideal slow but action packed next day before its time to say goodbye to this mystical place. This concludes the Amatola and it’s a bittersweet feeling mixed with some relief that it’s been conquered. Undoubtedly many campfire stories to be made on this beautiful but tough trail.

Disclaimer: Please note that I am not qualified to be giving local driving, hiking or walking recommendations as I am not a trained guide or knowledgeable about the routes, difficulty, weather, or safety conditions in this area. This trail, like all my recorded activities on Wikiloc, are merely a journal or recollection of my experiences with some information which I personally would consider helpful. The information provided about this hiking or walking trail and its associated GPX recording is for the purpose of entertainment or reading and review only, the information presented may not be up to date or comprehensive enough. Trail and safety conditions, routes, difficulties and weather-related risks can change over time and vary from individual to individual. Any activity undertaken is therefore done at your own risk and requires you to verify information with local authorities, guides or experts in the field or local area before embarking on any such activity that may pose risks. As per the terms agreed to when signing up for this application or website, I or Wikiloc assume no responsibility for damages that may arise from using this information in any way, shape or form.