Hogsback is a village and holiday destination magnificently sited on the slopes of the Amatole Mountains in South Africa. Hogsback overlooks the rivers and fertile plains of the Tyume Valley in a region dominated by three ridges said to resemble the bristles on a hog's back.
Among the early settlers
to Hogsback was Thomas Summerton, a market gardener from
Oxford, and his attempts to re-create the English countryside can still be
seen in apple orchards, avenues lined with hazelnut, berry fruits and the
flowering plants that have spread throughout the area.
Hogsback has large tracts of indigenous forest, where the rich variety of birdlife includes parrot and lourie. Rivers tumble prettily to the plain, creating a number of small but spectacular waterfalls such as Madonna and Child, Swallowtail and Kettlespout - where the water flows through a natural spout in the rocks and, in windy conditions, arches up in a feathery plume some 9 m high.
There are hotels, caravan parks and campsites in Hogsback. Infact every type of accommodation is offered. Horses may be hired too. Hogsback is also noted for its angling - some of the rivers are stocked with trout. Walks and trails range from 3 km to 20 km and some of the routes - which include places of historic and natural interest - are marked with painted hogs. The Hogsback hiking trail covers a 2 day walk. The locally produced guidebook is an essential investment for visitors, especially those interested in exploring this lovely area on foot. Hogsback is 30 km from Alice, which in turn is 22 km from Fort Beaufort.