A Yellowwood tree in indigenous forest, a garden with trees from around the world, and activities ranging from mountain biking to abseiling give Hogsback a variety of highlights. When planning your trip, it’s worth looking at the different options, from a very easy five-kilometre bike ride to multi-day horseback rides.

A remarkable tree and a collection from around the world

The Big Tree in Hogsback is a Yellowwood tree in indigenous forest. The tree is accessible on foot from Main Road. The Arboretum offers a different focus: its garden contains trees from around the world, including several California redwoods that are well over 100 years old.

The two tree-related attractions are clearly distinct: at the Big Tree, the focus is on a single Yellowwood in the forest; at the Arboretum, it is on an international collection that includes older California redwoods. For a nature outing, you can choose between visiting a specific tree and exploring a garden with a diverse selection of trees.

Mountain biking: rentals and tours

Hogsback Adventures rents mountain bikes by the hour; the rental includes a map, a bicycle and a helmet. Guided tours lasting a few hours or a full day are also available in Hogsback. They follow winding forest tracks and unpaved roads. The options therefore differ both in duration and in whether they include a guide: rentals are set up by the hour, while guided tours can also be planned by the day.

A combined tour with Hogsback Adventures is available as either a self-guided or a guided option. It begins with a very easy, five-kilometre bike ride to Madonna & Child Waterfall. The main choice here is whether to do the route self-guided or with a guide.

At Madonna & Child Waterfall

The waterfall is also the setting for a 35-metre abseil with Hogsback Adventures, descending into the indigenous forest below. This means there are two different activities at the same named destination: a bike ride that ends there and an abseil down into the forest. The bike ride is described as very easy; no difficulty rating is given for the abseil. Availability may change, so check the activities before travelling.

Arts and crafts and archery

The Arts and Crafts route in Hogsback includes a maze, a shrine and pottery studios. It offers a different focus from the biking and waterfall activities, with several arts-and-crafts and design-related stops along the route. Hogsback Adventures also offers archery in a garden, with bows for children available too. So, alongside nature and cycling activities, the options extend to arts and crafts and archery, without requiring you to plan a fixed day’s itinerary.

Horse rides with different durations

Horse rides in Hogsback provide an elevated view of the surrounding area. Options include 1.5-hour rides, overnight trips, rides for children, three-hour workshops and four-day trips. These options differ considerably in duration: a one-and-a-half-hour ride and a three-hour workshop are shorter than overnight or four-day trips. Rides for children add a separate option to the selection. Check the current availability of activities and rentals before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Komga, Kei Mouth, Kwelera, Stutterheim, Rockwood, Macleantown, Adelaide, Xwangu.

For the broader travel overview: Amathole.