Hogsback - JR Tolkien and magic gravel roads.

[The Badger]

My wife Fran and I were returning to Durban from doing some work in PE and after leaving Orange Elephant Back Packers in Addo and saying cheers to John ( Casting From Turd) we headed to Hogsback.

Now we had heard that this is a special place but we did not expect to fall in love.

We arrived on the tar road coming in from the East from a town called Alice and you wind up a stunning pass through ancient forests. It has one main road dotted with a hotel and a couple of restaurants, a petrol garage and a little supermarket with a post office inside.

We stayed at Away with the Fairies backpackers and they have a bath on the edge of a lovely cliff( see pic)
The food was good and met 4 other bikers.......one was ThumpXR650 from PE on his way down from the Kalahari.

We explored a couple of waterfalls and spent some time in these old ancient forests in the area but we need to go back with more time as there a few 4x4 routes I need to explore.

I can see why JR Tolkien was inspired to write the Hobbit after spending time here.

When we left we headed out west and came to a fork in the road and the left fork said 4x4 only........... what a track ......See picks.

All in all, Hogsback cast it's magic spell on Fran and I and we cant wait to go back there.

 

[The Badger]

Some more pics of the awesome track from Hogsback to Seymour.

 

[ShaunF]

:thumleft:

 

[spoedvark]

Looks lekker! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Chrisl]

Does being a truckdrivinginstructor help keeping the GSA upright on roads like
that?

I stayed one night in Hogsback last year. There was a weird smoke smell in
the air the whole time eepwall: >

 

[The Badger]

Does being a truckdrivinginstructor help keeping the GSA upright on roads like
that?

I stayed one night in Hogsback last year. There was a weird smoke smell in
the air the whole time eepwall: >

Hahahaaha and we thought it was that type of wood in the area..... :imaposer:

 

[JonW]

Nice Jeff  :thumleft:

 

[The Badger]

Thanks everyone. :thumleft:

 

[Lem]

Thanks Badger, this looks like a lekker route, I'm planning on taking my parents to the Hogsback next year.

How was this place you stayed at? And how was the rates?

 

[BLK]

The whole of the eastern Cape is something special.I can't get my head around living in JHB anymore !@#$
thks for pics,beautiful indeed.

 

[sidetrack]

Actually a common misconception, Tolkien never spent time in Hogsback and left SA as a baby.

 

[cloudgazer]

Its a stunning part of the world.
Went through there, and also stayed at Away with the Fairies on the way to the bash last year.

 

[EssBee]

Does being a truckdrivinginstructor help keeping the GSA upright on roads like
that?

I stayed one night in Hogsback last year. There was a weird smoke smell in
the air the whole time eepwall: >

1) Brave doing unknown roads, and a little technical at that too, all on your own! >
2) Fairies favour funny brand cigarettes... >

Sheez....looks so lekka...never been to that part of the world...just gotta make a plan... :deal:

 

[ROOI]

Nice also stayed at the "Away with the Fairies" after the Kei bash ,That is the Michells pass u went down beautiful ,we also travelled down there on our way to Katberg  :thumleft:

 

[Casting from Turd]

Sweet ride report Badger!!    :thumleft: :thumleft:

 

[The Badger]

Thanks Badger, this looks like a lekker route, I'm planning on taking my parents to the Hogsback next year.

How was this place you stayed at? And how was the rates?

Hi Lem,

My wife and I payed R380 for a room with on suite and an awesome view. There are so many different types of accommodation in Hogsback. Enjoy.

Actually a common misconception, Tolkien never spent time in Hogsback and left SA as a baby.

Ok.Thanks. We were told he came back and visited Hogsback......Not sure who to believe but the whole town is Hobbit crazy.

Nice also stayed at the "Away with the Fairies" after the Kei bash ,That is the Michells pass u went down beautiful ,we also travelled down there on our way to Katberg  :thumleft:

I know Redrider.......Fran and I were shouting in our helmets from the sheer beauty. We wanted to do the Devils Bellows as well but we will leave it for another time. It was really muddy and slippery on Tuesday and I only had Anarchies on.

Sweet ride report Badger!!    :thumleft: :thumleft:

Thanks John and every one else for the comments.

 

[user 5710]

Nice one Jeff :thumleft:

 

[Oros]

Lekker place, I wonder if the hot babe & her friend still have the pizza place that was set back from the main road. :3some:

 

[Hentie bm]

:thumleft:

 

[Rob Monster]

Was their in September and also stayed at the backpackers, what a lovely place :ricky: