AMATOLA HIKING ADVENTURE โ GUIDED (Sept 2024)
Event Date: 3rd week in September 2024 (Limited to 8 hikers)
Start:ย Maden Dam in King Williams Town
Finish:ย Hogsback
Duration:ย 100km over six days and five nights, 100kms โ 4900m Ascent
Fitness:ย Not for the unfit; considered tough
Beauty: 4/5
Our tip: Take extra pairs of socks as there are numerous river crossings as well as extra warm clothing for cold nights
ย
The Amatola Hiking Trail is considered one of South Africaโs top hikes. It is up there with theย Otter Trailย and theย Whale Trail in terms of difficulty and popularity. The trail is set in the Amatola Mountains involving days of wandering rich indigenous rainforests complete with yellowwood and redwood trees, rolling mountains, mountain fynbos, wildflowers, and water โ in the form of streams, waterfalls, and pools โ in abundance. The average dayโs hike is 16.5 km to 19 km, and your evenings are spent in rustic wooden huts โ most of which are set in amongst the surrounding forest, with hot water donkeys to heat showers, and toilets that range from a long drop to flush. Weather in the mountains is variable throughout the year. All-weather clothing is essential as you can face anything from intense heat to freezing cold & rain. ย
Cost: R5900 pp
Whatโs Included:
- Professional and experienced hiking guide
- Pre-hike briefing and preparation tips
- Pre- and Post-hike accommodation (a night before and after at Away With The Fairies Nature Lodge)
- First aid kit and emergency support
- Detailed itinerary and map
- Park entry and conservation fees
- Accommodation in comfortable rustic mountain huts
- Transport from East London airport to Hogsback
- Transport to and from the trailhead (from pre-hike accommodation)
Whatโs Excluded:
- Personal hiking gear (backpack, hiking boots, clothing, sleeping bag etc.)
- Main meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- Travel insurance
- Luggage Transfer/Porterage
- Additional personal expenses
Why Join Us?
The Amatola Hiking Trail is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, diverse flora and fauna, and exhilarating challenges. With Adventure Junkies Africa, youโll experience the beauty of this trail in the safest and most enjoyable way. Our experienced guides will ensure you have all the support you need to conquer the trail and create lasting memories.
๐๐ค๐ฉ๐: ๐๐ฅ๐ค๐ฉ๐จ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ก๐๐ข๐๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ก๐ ๐ฉ๐ค ๐ฉ๐๐ค๐จ๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ค ๐๐ค๐ค๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ฎ ๐๐๐ง๐จ๐ฉ.
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐-๐๐๐
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐.
๐๐ค๐ช ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ก๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ ๐ฉ๐ค ๐จ๐ฌ๐๐ฅ ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช๐ง ๐จ๐ฅ๐ค๐ฉ๐จ ๐ฌ๐๐ฉ๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ค๐ฉ๐๐๐ง ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
/๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ง.
The hike is scheduled for September 2024. The pre and post hike days are reserved for arrival and departureย at and from Away With The Fairies Nature Lodge. ย
๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฌ
Day one: 11.9km, 763, Ascent Maden dam to Gwiligwili Hut (atop a hill with incredible views) is a steep climb through the indigenous Pirie forest, although there is a shortcut that can save you 5 km.
Day two: 19.14km, 633, Ascent to Dontsa hut (set in a pine plantation), a somewhat easier day through an indigenous forest with the Keiskammahoek valley below you.
Day three: 20.62km, 1024, 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.
Day four: 14.56km, 634, Ascent to Mnyameni hut (the most isolated hut) โ the easiest and shortest day with an initial climb up Geju peak with incredible views, followed by a descent into Mnyameni gorge and Malan forest.
Day five: 19.42km, 991, Ascent to Zingcuka hut โ a tough day with a steep climb; optional swimming pools ease the walk, and dense forest shades the last few kilometers.
Day six: to Tyume River 16.2km, 855, Ascent a day peppered by waterfalls in the forest with a long ascent up Hog 1 and then down to the Tyume River basin.
Trail Map
At a glance
The Amatola Trail (six days and five nights, 100kms) is marketed as โThe Toughest Hike in South Africaโ 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 Nature might throw at you.