Magical mountains - Geraldine Eliot. Date of travel: Jan 2006
Hogsback is a truly magical spot, in the Eastern Cape relatively close to Grahamstown and East London. Set in the Amatole Mountains (tail end of the Drakensberg), up a steep pass, there are no shops, ATMS, petrol stations... just plenty of accommodation, spectacular views and excellent hiking opportunities. We stayed at a backpackers and many of the hiking trails start from the bottom of the garden. Lush rainforest and plenty of mud, cool rushing water and breathtaking waterfalls, and an 800-year-old Yellowwood. The hiking is pretty tough if you don't like uphill, but worth it to be able to relax and sun on the rocks like a lizard while gentle spray coats one's face. We didn't make it to the Hogs (highest peaks that resemble the hair on a warthog's back), but thoroughly enjoyed it all nonetheless. The area apparently inspired Tolkien when writing The Lord of the Rings, and it is not hard to see why!! A definite highlight on our trip and a truly amazing spot.