Amatola Hiking Trail

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ITINERARY

​​​DAY 1 - ARRIVAL AT AWAY WITH THE FARIES

​Arrive at Away with the Fairies from 14:00 for a warm welcome and introduction.  Dan from Amatola Trails will give us a detailed briefing on the route and the challenges that lie ahead over the next six days.  We will enjoy dinner at The Green Dragon Café.

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DAY 2 - HIKING (DISTANCE:  11.9 KM, ELEVATION GAIN:  763 M,  ESTIMATED DURATION:   5 - 6 HOURS)

MADEN DAM TO GWILI GWILI HUT

We’ll enjoy an early morning breakfast at The Green Dragon Café before the shuttle departs.  The shuttle will collect us at 08:00. The drive to the starting point will take approximately two hours.  This is the shortest day of the trail, but still a great day's hiking.  You will climb over 750 m of vertical ascent through the Pirie indigenous forest.  Gwili Hut offers stunning views, a separate braai area, and hot showers from a donkey boiler.  Make sure to get a good night’s rest — you’re going to need it for the adventure ahead.​

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DAY 3 - HIKING (DISTANCE:  19.14 KM, ELEVATION GAIN:  633 M, ESTIMATED DURATION:  9 - 10 HOURS)

​GWILI GWILI HUT TO DONTSA HUT

Start your morning with a warm cup of coffee and rusks.   Breakfast will be enjoyed in the mountains, surrounded by nature.  Please note: the hike departs strictly at 6:00 am.  The day involves traversing through indigenous forest with undulating terrain.  It can be exhausting for those who are not physically fit, and hard on the knees.  Carry enough water from the first stream after 1.2km to the overnight hut.  Dontsa Hut is located next to a stream, with a braai area and hot water from a donkey boiler.  There is also an impressive waterfall nearby.  Make sure to get a good night’s rest — you’re going to need it for the adventure ahead.

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DAY 4- HIKING (DISTANCE: 20.62 KM, ELEVATION GAIN:  1024 M, ESTIMATED DURATION:  10 - 11  HOURS)

DONTSA HUT TO CATA HUT​​​

Start your morning with a warm cup of coffee and rusks.   Breakfast will be enjoyed in the mountains, surrounded by nature.   Please note: the hike departs strictly at 6:00 am. This day is the longest and toughest day.  You leave the indigenous forest behind as you ascend to the plateau with macchia grassland and wildflowers.  Be cautious of the slippery rocks at the waterfall at the 4 km point after rainfall.  You will pass through the Hovald Forest descend past the Cata Forest Station, and face a leg-destroying 550 m vertical ascent climb in 5 km through the enchanted Waterfall Forest.  Make sure to get a good night’s rest — you’re going to need it for the adventure ahead.

 

DAY 5- HIKING (DISTANCE: 14.56 KM, ELEVATION GAIN:  634 M, ESTIMATED DURATION:  11 - 12 HOURS)

CATA HUT TO MNYAMENI HUT

Start your morning with a warm cup of coffee and rusks.  Breakfast will be enjoyed in the mountains, surrounded by nature.  Please note: the hike start strictly at 6:00 am.  The second shortest day but considered the most beautiful.  Start with a steep 600 m ascent to the highest point on the trail, the Mighty Geju Peak (1880 m).  There is an alternate route if the peak is misty.  Cross a meteorite crash site (if you’re not a geologist it’s a meteorite) and descend steeply through the enchanting Malan Forest (1000 m descent) into the Mnyameni Gorge, crossing the stream 11 times.  Relax and swim in the rock pools along the way.  Mnyameni Hut is isolated and may not always have running water, but there is a stream nearby for washing and drinking.  Make sure to get a good night’s rest — you’re going to need it for the adventure ahead.

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DAY 6 - HIKING (DISTANCE:  19.42 KM, ELEVATION GAIN:  991 M, ESTIMATED DURATION:  10 - 11 HOURS)

MNYAMENI HUT TO ZINGCUKA HUT

Start your morning with a warm cup of coffee and rusks.  Breakfast will be enjoyed in the mountains, surrounded by nature.  Please note: the hike starts strictly at 6:00 am.  A superb day with many swimming spots.  Most of the day is spent in open areas except for the last few kilometers through the dense Schwarzwald Forest. Zingcuka Hut is popular and provides a braai area and hot water from a donkey boiler.  Make sure to get a good night’s rest — you’re going to need it for the adventure ahead.

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DAY 7 - HIKING (DISTANCE:  16.2 KM, ELEVATION GAIN:  955 M, ESTIMATED DURATION:  9 - 10 HOURS)

ZINGCUKA HUT TO TYUME RIVER

Start your morning with a warm cup of coffee and rusks.  Breakfast will be enjoyed in the mountains, surrounded by nature.  Please note: the hike starts strictly at 6:00 am.  The final day begins with fantastic waterfalls in the Schwarzwald Forest.  You will then face a long ascent of 950 m, almost reaching the main Hogsback peak (1845 m), before descending into the Tyume River basin and the end of the trail.  You can continue walking 4 km to Hogsback or take the Amatola route through the Auckland Nature Reserve, passing Madonna and Child Waterfall and The Big Tree, and ending up in the garden of Away with the Fairies.  Remember to look back now and then — the views are worth it, and before you know it, the hike will be over.

 

DAY 8 - TRAVEL DAY ​

We’ll enjoy an early morning breakfast at The Green Dragon Café before it's time to say good-buy.  Till we meet again.

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​End of tour

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