BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Eventin//Event Calendar//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT UID:4105bac55ea0c7f2789ed8ee331f1f67@adventurejunkies.africa SUMMARY:The Amatola Hike 2026: An Epic Eastern Cape Forest & Waterfall Trek DESCRIPTION:Event Date: 14 - 19 April 2026\nStart: Maden Dam in King Willi ams Town\nFinish: Hogsback\nDuration: 100km over six days and five nights \, 100kms – 4900m Ascent\nFitness: Not for the unfit\; considered tough\ nBeauty: 4/5\nOur tip: Take extra pairs of socks as there are numerous riv er crossings as well as extra warm clothing for cold nights\n \n\n\n\n\n\n \nThe Amatola Hiking Trail is considered one of South Africa’s top hikes. It is up there with the Otter Trail and the Whale Trail in terms of di fficulty and popularity. The trail is set in the Amatola Mountains involvin g days of wandering rich indigenous rainforests complete with yellowwood an d redwood trees\, rolling mountains\, mountain fynbos\, wildflowers\, and w ater – in the form of streams\, waterfalls\, and pools – in abundance. The average day’s hike is 16.5 km to 19 km\, and your evenings are spent in rustic wooden huts – most of which are set in amongst the surrounding forest\, with hot water donkeys to heat showers\, and toilets that range fr om a long drop to flush. Weather in the mountains is variable throughout th e year. All-weather clothing is essential as you can face anything from int ense heat to freezing cold & rain.  \nCost: R6500 pp\nWhat’s Included:\n \nProfessional and experienced hiking guide\nPre-hike briefing and preparat ion tips\nPre- and Post-hike accommodation (a night before and after at Awa y With The Fairies Nature Lodge)\nFirst aid kit and emergency support\nDeta iled itinerary and map\nPark entry and conservation fees\nAccommodation in comfortable rustic mountain huts\nTransport from East London airport to Hog sback\nTransport to and from the trailhead (from pre-hike accommodation)\n\ nWhat’s Excluded:\n\nPersonal hiking gear (backpack\, hiking boots\, clot hing\, sleeping bag etc.)\nMain meals (breakfast\, lunch\, and dinner)\nTra vel insurance\nLuggage Transfer/Porterage\nAdditional personal expenses\n\n Why Join Us?\nThe Amatola Hiking Trail is renowned for its breathtaking sce nery\, diverse flora and fauna\, and exhilarating challenges. With Adventur e Junkies Africa\, you’ll experience the beauty of this trail in the safe st and most enjoyable way. Our experienced guides will ensure you have all the support you need to conquer the trail and create lasting memories.\n  𝙉𝙤𝙩𝙚: 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙩 𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙫𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙩 𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙥𝙖𝙮 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩.𝐏𝐀𝐘𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐈𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐍- 𝐑𝐄𝐅𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄.𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙚𝙡 𝙞𝙜𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙬𝙖𝙥 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨 𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝒆𝒙𝒑 𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅/𝒇𝒊𝒕 𝙝𝙞𝙠𝙚𝙧.\nThe hi ke is scheduled for April 2026. The pre and post hike days are reserved fo r arrival and departure at and from Away With The Fairies Nature Lodge.   \n𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬\nDay one: 11.9km\, 763\ , Ascent Maden dam to Gwiligwili Hut (atop a hill with incredible views) i s a steep climb through the indigenous Pirie forest\, although there is a s hortcut that can save you 5 km.\nDay two: 19.14km\, 633\, Ascent to Dontsa hut (set in a pine plantation)\, a somewhat easier day through an indigeno us forest with the Keiskammahoek valley below you.\nDay three: 20.62km\, 10 24\, Ascent to Cata Hut (modern with a gas-fired geyser) leaves the forest and climbs to the plateau. Walk in amongst wildflowers and macchia grasses \, after which you can choose to climb Doornkop or enter the Hovald forest. \nDay four: 14.56km\, 634\, Ascent to Mnyameni hut (the most isolated hut) – the easiest and shortest day with an initial climb up Geju peak with i ncredible views\, followed by a descent into Mnyameni gorge and Malan fores t.\nDay five: 19.42km\, 991\, Ascent to Zingcuka hut – a tough day with a steep climb\; optional swimming pools ease the walk\, and dense forest sh ades the last few kilometers.\nDay six: to Tyume River 16.2km\, 855\, Ascen t a day peppered by waterfalls in the forest with a long ascent up Hog 1 a nd then down to the Tyume River basin.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_c olumn][/vc_row]\n\n \n\n[vc_row css=".vc_custom_1550825686553{padding-top: 30px !important\;padding-bottom: 33px !important\;}"][vc_column][qodef_ico n_with_text type="icon-left" icon_pack="dripicons" dripicon="" title_tag="s pan" custom_icon="948" title="6 Days / 5 Nights" text_padding="10"]   [qo def_icon_with_text type="icon-left" icon_pack="dripicons" dripicon="" title _tag="span" custom_icon="949" title="Self-guided Hike" text_padding="10"]     [qodef_icon_with_text type="icon-left" icon_pack="dripicons" dripicon ="" title_tag="span" custom_icon="950" title="DIFFICULTY:9/10" text_padding ="10"]   [/vc_column][/vc_row]\n\n \n\n[vc_row][vc_column offset="vc_col -lg-offset-0 vc_col-lg-6 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-12 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12" el_class="qodef-map"][vc_column_text]\nTrail Map\n[/vc_colum n_text][vc_empty_space height="27px"][qodef_elements_holder holder_full_hei ght="no" number_of_columns="one-column" switch_to_one_column="" alignment_o ne_column=""][qodef_elements_holder_item item_padding="169px 0px" item_padd ing_1367_1600="169px 0px" background_image="3743" item_padding_1025_1366="1 69px 0px" item_padding_769_1024="169px 0px" item_padding_681_768="169px 0px " item_padding_680="169px 0px"][/qodef_elements_holder_item][/qodef_element s_holder][/vc_column][vc_column css=".vc_custom_1550505500194{margin-left: -15px !important\;padding-left: 0px !important\;}" offset="vc_col-lg-offset -0 vc_col-lg-6 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-12 vc_col-sm-offset-0"][qodef_e lements_holder holder_full_height="no" number_of_columns="one-column" switc h_to_one_column="" alignment_one_column=""][qodef_elements_holder_item item _padding_680="9px 0px 17px 30px" item_padding="0 0 0 0" item_padding_1367_1 600="0 0 0 0" item_padding_1025_1366="0 0 0 0" item_padding_769_1024="18px 0px 17px 31px" item_padding_681_768="21px 0px 17px 33px"][vc_column_text cs s=".vc_custom_1550504677086{margin-top: 0px !important\;}"]\nAt a glance\n[ /vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="12px"][vc_column_text]The Amatola T rail (six-days and five-nights\, 100kms) is marketed as “The Toughest Hik e in South Africa” and we think it lives up to the title. You must be fit and capable of hiking 20km+ / 10 hours a day\, never knowing what Mother N ature might throw at you. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="17px"][t t_items_list][tt_item type="info" value="Maden Dam park"]Starting Point:[/t t_item][tt_item type="info" value="Hogsback"]End Point:[/tt_item][tt_item t ype="info" value="Trekking"]Activities:[/tt_item][tt_item type="info" value ="R6500"]Prices From:[/tt_item][tt_item type="info" value="Eastern Cape"]Pr ovince:[/tt_item][/tt_items_list][vc_empty_space height="4px"][/qodef_eleme nts_holder_item][/qodef_elements_holder][/vc_column][/vc_row]\n\n \n\n[vc_ row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n*download pdf\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_colum n][/vc_row] LOCATION:Eastern Cape DTSTAMP:20260802T225610Z DTSTART:20260414T063000Z DTEND:20260419T150000Z END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR