Hogsback Visitors Guide - Activities & Shops in Hogsback

Diana Graham built the Voices of the Earth Eco-Shrine to celebrate the fact that we are an integral part of the earth and indeed the universe, not its master or guardian.

The Eco-Shrine is a unique outdoor garden installation with paintings and sculpture overlooking the Hogsback mountains/Tyume Valley. Diana gives visitors a guided tour of the Eco-Shrine and her art studio, where some of her art is for sale.

Constructed in 1995, it has since become very famous and over the years it has become one of the major tourist attractions in the Hogsback area. The Eco-Shrine has won several international and local awards including the Green Dove Award from the United States, a Mail and Guardian Green Trust Award, and an Eastern Cape Premier's Award.

The Eco-Shrine is definitely not linked to one particular religion though as the name suggests, this beautiful place is imbued with a sense of homage.

Entry to the Eco-Shrine is R15 per adult and is open, weather permitting, every Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday, public and school holidays. Open every day in season.

Click here for more details on the Eco-Shrine which is well worth a visit and is even featured in the Lonely Planet Guide.

Diana Graham can be reached on diana@ecoshrine.co.za or Tel: 045 9621136

General Store which stocks bread, milk, food, drinks, forgotten items such as toiletries, braai/BBQ packs, petrol and various other supplies.

Location: Main Road near the entrance of the village.

Gifts and toys, Homemade jams, chutneys, sauces, Coolin water, cooldrinks, large variety of different foods, sweets etc. Hogsback clothing, beanies, scarves, jackets, peaks, hiking bags etc. Cushions and throws, cottage furniture, bean bags. Candle holders, candles, hand bags, and a very large variety of gifts. A shop not to be missed. Info on computer for all walks etc, free for all to use.

Location: Main Road.

Imaginative, long-lasting candles, made in Hogsback. Come and visit us to view our unique everlasting candles.

We create our own designs, but will be more than happy to create candles to your design for weddings, corporate functions/launches or birthday gifts, e.g. 21st or 60th.

Contact Pearl on Tel: 082 842 5955.

Location: Main Road.

Luyanda and Willie Mafika produce domestic ware and garden pots with a growing collection of cultural crafts. This home-grown family business is a Department of Arts & Culture project.

Tel: 072 496 2770.

Geoff Powell brings together his carpentry and metalwork skills producing art objects for the home.

Tel: 083 294 5045.

Starways Pottery practices the art of flame fired pottery, perfecting the rare skills of reduction firing. Starways Pottery produces luscious pots with flame flashes and lustrous glaze effects on tall vases, large platters, tiny ornaments and wall hangings. On the walls of his fascinating stone textured forest studio he hangs his paintings in oils and water colour depicting his "nature-plus" landscapes. Starways' Ceramic Jewellery and herbal oils also available.

Pop in for a refreshing cup of Starways Mint Tea. Well worth the visit.

Tel: 045 962 1174 or 045 962 1344. Cell: 082 953 7840 or 082 928 5770.

Treat yourself to a browse of the art on the walls.

Host: Ivan Harris. Tel: 045 962 1037.

Birdwatching

There are over 100 species of birds to spot in the Hogsback area. The numerous habitats make the area a bird watcher's paradise. Some of the birds to look out for are the Cape Parrot, Crowned Eagle, Ground Woodpecker, Knysna Loerie and many more. Remember to bring your binoculars and a field guide.

Click here for more information on the birds found in the Hogsback area.

Bushman Paintings Guided Tour & Replica Rock Art

Guided tours visiting Bushman painting sites within an hours drive of Hogsback will be available soon starting at around R350 for up to 4 people. For each additional person add R80. Please note that the tour guide will be travelling with you in your vehicle. The tour is only available for people with suitable 4x4 vehicles.

These tours must be booked at least 24 hours in advance as the tour guide lives in a town near Hogsback. Confirmation of the tour 2 hours before the tour is needed and depends on the weather conditions of the day. Payment is in full before the tour commences.

This tour should be considered as a day excursion and involves some hiking as well, Children under the age of 12 are not allowed. Due to limited capacity, on some days you will be joined by a second group or you may have to take the tour on another day due to non-availablity. Please contact us if you are interested in this tour.

After the tour completes you will be given the opportunity to purchase hand painted replica Bushman art painted by the tour guide himself. Replica Bushmen art items are priced individually and each is unique with its own character.

Board Games

In Lothlorien Cottage we provide several family games to keep yourselves entertained in the evenings. Some of the games we provide are playing cards, Monopoly, puzzles, Chess, Backgammon, Drafts, Snakes & Ladders and other board games.

Bowling Green

There is a bowling green at King's Lodge which may be used with permission. A greens fee may be charged. The local Hogsback Bowls Club meets every Tuesday at 14h00.

Please enquire at the hotels reception or Tel: 045 962 1024. Cell: 083 518 2544.

Braaing/BBQs

Lothlorien Cottage has a fantastic outdoor dining and braai/BBQ area which easily can seat 6 people. It is well lit at night using a switch in the cottage for alfresco dining under the stars.

Firewood you can purchased by the wheelbarrow load from the Lothlorien caretaker who lives on a neighbouring property. A contact telephone number is provided on the coffee table in the cottage. Please order your wood using this number and our caretaker will deliver it. Please have the money ready when he delivers. Limited supplies such as braai/BBQ packs, wine etc. are also available for purchase at The Edge's reception. Meat and drinks etc and any other forgotten items can also be purchased at the village shop.

Church Services / Weddings

One of the smallest churches in South Africa, Hogsback's famous chapel - the interdenominational St Patrick's-on-the-Hill is well worth a visit. Its charm makes it an ideal place to have a wedding or to recharge spiritually.

Wedding Accommodation in Hogsback / Hogsback Honeymoon

Hogsback also offers many stunning outdoor and indoor wedding venues both for the wedding ceremony itself as well as for the wedding reception. Be sure to refer your wedding guests to Lothlorien Cottage for Hogsback accommodation or even consider Lothlorien Cottage in Hogsback for your Hogsback honeymoon accommodation or as a base while preparing for your wedding in Hogsback or while looking for a Hogsback wedding venue.

Doctor

There is no doctor available at the present time in Hogsback.

Drumming Circle

The Drumming Circle meets on Monday evenings between 18h00 and 19h30 at the Arminel Hotel.

Farming activities

Farming activities such as shearing, lambing, calving, Holistic farming practices etc. can be viewed at Lowestoffe (24km from Hogsback).

Tel: 045 843 1716 or 083 654 5935.

Fishing

* Fishing in a dam located in Wolf Ridge Road. Please bring own equipment.

* Lowestoffe (24km from Hogsback) offer trout/fly fishing at around R60 per rod per day with a limit of one fish per rod per day. They encourage a catch and release and a barbless fishing policy. You can choose from one of four big dams stocked with Rainbow Trout and a smaller bass dam. They also offer trout fishing along 17km of the beautiful Klipplaat river - a trout fisherman's paradise!
Tel: 045 843 1716 or 083 654 5935.

* Coolin Trout Lodge offer trout fishing in a dam and a stream.
Tel: 045 962 1040.

Drives & 4X4 Trails

Treat yourself to a cruise past the Hogsback Dam due west into the sunset. In front of you are the breathtaking sunset effects over Seymour Valley of hills, and behind you the pink reflections on the Three Hogsbacks and Gaika's Kop. Suitable for normal cars.

Game Reserves & Wildlife

In Hogsback be sure to lookout for any Samango monkeys which swing through the trees. On the Lothlorien grounds they seem to generally appear during the mornings and late afternoons. These monkeys live at the southern limit of their range. Also lookout for wild hogs (we know of at least on resident on the Lothlorien grounds), but they can be difficult to spot. In Hogsback you may also see deer and buck on walks through the forest.

If you go horse riding with Lowestoffe, you may have opportunities to see black wildebeest, fallow deer or Blesbuck up close. You may even catch glimpse of a Mountain Reedbuck, Grey Rhebok, Steenbokkie or Duiker.

The following game reserves and national parks are located within reach of Hogsback or you can visit these on your way home:

* Mpofu Game Reserve
* Double Drift Game Reserve
* Tsolwana Game Reserve
* Addo Elephant National Park (near Port Elizabeth)
* Shamwari Private Game Reserve

Horseriding

Trustworthy horses both for beginners and experienced riders Come and experience one of the most exhilarating 2 hours you'll spend in a long time. It is one of the best ways to view this magnificent land.

Ride up the mountain and see the black wildebeest, fallow deer or blesbuck close up. If you're lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the Mountain Reedbuck or even the Grey Rhebok, steenbokkie or duiker.

5 500 hectares of riding pleasure - go wherever your heart desires - along the river - up the mountains, and rest assured that your guide will be there to help you in any way in which you would like to be accommodated.

If you're used to being in the saddle and would like a longer ride, it can easily be arranged.

Home to Africa Appaloosa Sport Horse Stud.

Your hosts Robyn Conroy or Neil Evens. Tel: 045 843 1716 or 083 654 5935.

Offer horse riding by arrangement

Your hosts: Ron and Elizabeth. Tel: 045 962 1040.

Mountain & Rock Climbing

Hogsback provides some good opportunites for mountain and rock climbing enthusiasts.
Click here for more details.

Mountain Bike Hire

Bike trails include the Holy Cyprus Loop (8km), Deodar Loop (14km), Madonna Loop (22km) and the Complete Trail (28km). Maps available at The Edge or Hogsback Tourist Office.

Rent mountain bikes for around R20/hour and a refundable deposit is payable.
Tel: 043 743 3433.

Rent mountain bikes. Bring own helmuts for bikes.
Tel: 072 224 9886 / 082 842 5955.

Nurseries & Gardens

Azaleas, trees and other unusual plants can be obtained from Etienne and Lois Paroz's Nursery.

Tel: 045 962 1152.

Experience the Beauty of Hogsback at Applegarth Gardens and Nursery! The Gardens, established by Herbert and Mary Wilson in the early nineteen forties, have matured into one of the finest temperate climate gardens in South Africa. A range of frost-hardy plants is available in the nursery. They are members of the Royal Horticultural Society. The optimum time to view the Gardens is early morning or late afternoon, i.e. in the cool of the day. The very rich bird life is also best seen at these times.

Entrance is R10 per adult (children free). Visits to the Gardens and the Nursery are by arrangement.

Tel: 045 962 1228. Cell: 083-234-6840 / 082-840-4034.

Click here for a complete list of gardens open to the public.

Reading & Library

Lothlorien cottage provides a collection of books and magazines that should suite most peoples reading needs. Otherwise be sure to browse through the village library if your stay is longer. The library is located at the Tourist Information Centre.

Singing

Workshops in Tension Free Singing are presented by Gwyneth Lloyd who has a Masters Degree in Music from the University of Stellenbosch on "Teaching Singing and Performing based on the F. M. Alexander Technique" on which subject she is now a world authority. She is certified as an Alexander Technique teacher, has an Honours Degree and Post-Graduate Certificate in Education from a University College of London and a Licentiate in Singing Performing from the Royal Schools of Music.

Tension Free Singing has been evolved by Gwyneth Lloyd as a course of movements and sounds based on the teaching procedures used in Alexander Technique lessons. The overall objective is to relieve the vocal sound and body movements of any signs of strain while singing and moving on stage. This leads to healthy voices and releases energy for projecting sound and interpretation of roles.

All aspects of singing performing are included in the series of workshops:

* Breathing
* Vocal Focus
* Singing in Motion
* Extending Vocal Range without Strain
* Exploring Vocal Overtones
* Improving Posture
* Eliminating Muscle Habits Harmful to the Voice

Participants are given procedures to practise on their own and apply to their own repertoire. General movements are taught in groups, attention is given to the way in which each individual carries out the movements and the new techniques applied to specific repertoire. Video evidence of the effects of harmful body habits and sound changes will also be used when appropriate.

Contact Gwyneth Lloyd on Tel: 082 928 5770.

Snow! Snow! Snow!

Need we say more? Well, with Lothlorien Cottage in Hogsback and the rest of the Hogsback village situated around 1300m above sea level, each Winter brings several snow falls. When it does snow, take advantage of it by building a snowman, throwing snow balls at each other or just having fun in the snow. Take a walk along the village road and admire the snow on the Hogsback peaks - a winter wonderland right here in South Africa.

Note that Lothlorien Cottage itself is located at a slightly higher altitude than the Hogsback village and may experience heavier snow falls than the village itself.

Spa & Hairdresser

Pamper and indulge yourself at the Hogsback Spa situated at the Hogsback Inn. Services offered include:

* Hairdresser
* Sauna
* 27 Jet Jacuzzi
* 22 Tube Sunbed
* Massages including head, back, full body and Indian head massage.
* Reflexology and other treatments

To book an appointment Tel: 045 962 1006 / 045 962 1231. Cell: 082 882 2716.

Sundowners (10 mins walk)

There is an easy walk along the Bluff (grassy field leading up to a cliff) with some stunning views of the valley several hundred metres below. The cliff's edge is an excellent place for a sundowner. If you look into the distance, you will see Gaika's Kop, the highest peak in the area that rises to 1963m.

Swimming

Swimming pools can be used with permission at the following locations. Either ring or enquire at reception:

* Arminel Hotel. Tel: 043 743 3433.
* Hogsback Inn. Tel: 045 962 1006.
* King's Lodge. Tel: 045 962 1024. Cell: 083 518 2544.

Alternatively take your swimming costume with you to the water falls and streams and take an ice cold dip or waterfall shower to cool off.

Tennis

Tennis courts can be used with permission at the following locations. Either ring or enquire at reception:

Equipment is available although a refundable deposit is payable. Alternatively bring your own equipment. Tel: 043 743 3433.

Volleyball

Volleyball equipment is provided in Lothlorien Cottage. Feel free to set this up in the grounds well away from the cottage and windows. Please pack this equipment away before nghtfall.