New Race Village 2027
Start and Finish at the historic Hogsback Inn in the quirky town of Hogsback, Eastern Cape
All rooms and self-catering cottages at the Hogsback Inn (race venue) and the self-catering cottages at the Arminel Hotel (950m from the race venue) will be available for booking through Mountain Runner Events for race weekend. Accommodation is booked on room only basis. Details of meals available at the Hogsback Inn will be communicated to those booked in February 2027.
HOGSBACK INN
Self-Catering Family Cottages
Six sleeper (2 units available) - This unit has 3 bedrooms comfortably furnished. Main en-suite with a second bathroom. Open plan kitchen and living area, with its own outside braai area overlooking our garden – R2,920 per night (minimum 2 night stay)
Four sleeper (2 units available) - Unit has 1 x double and 2 x single beds and is comfortably furnished. The en-suite bathroom has a bath/shower combination. The unit has its own outside braai area overlooking our garden – R2,070 per night (minimum 2 night stay)
Riverside Suites (6 suites available)
2 person, 4 star Garden rooms with fireplace en-suite bathroom, and private entrance - R 2,100 per room per night for 2 persons / R1,800 per room per night for 1 person (minimum 2 night stay)
Hotel Rooms (10 rooms available)
Double or Twin Bed/s, coffee and tea making facilities, en-suite bathroom and comfortably furnished - R 1,540 per room per night for 2 persons / R 940 per room per night for 1 person
Lodge Rooms (4 rooms available)
Backpacker style accommodation for budget conscious travellers. The room has 2 single beds with access to shared bathroom, kitchen and lounge facilities. - R 750 per room per night for 2 persons / R 425 per room per night for 1 person
ARMINEL HOTEL
Self-Catering Family Cottages
Six sleeper (16 units available) - 3 bedroom house (1 double bed, 2 singles and 2 bunk beds) fully equipped – R3,100 per night (minimum 2 night stay)
Almost 150 years ago…
Before the gold that caused Joburg to exist was even discovered, before the first motor car revved its engine, and just after the first patent for a light bulb was issued, The Hotel was born.
Our history, with what’s now named Hogsback Inn, goes back 15 years when they hosted our first three Hobbit events and we are nostalgically sentimental about bringing the event back home in 2027 and look forward to enjoying the new amenities and fabulous outdoor setting with you.
The Registration, Start and Finish of all the races (except the Hobbit 90 which has a remote start at Amathole trailhead) will be here, in the beautiful gardens by the pool.
There is a selection of accommodation options and a very well regarded restaurant.
Arminel Hotel, just up the road, has been a wonderful host for many years and they will continue to welcome runners and their families to their self catering cottages.
Trail Maintenance Hoggy Bank
Each year we put substantial time and money into clearing the iconic Amatola hiking trail as well as maintenance of the day hiking routes around the village which benefits the entire community and tourism well beyond race weekend.
We have started a ‘Help Hobbit to Help Hogsback’ initiative whereby some accommodation establishments have agreed to pay forward 5% of your race weekend bill to a Trail Maintenance Hoggy Bank if you BOOK DIRECTLY with them (cutting out the booking site commission fee that feeds an international corporate!)
We are very grateful to them for understanding the benefits, so please choose to support (and thank) those who support the trails.
See the links below:
Maple Grove
Self-catering studio cottage with King Bed and full bathroom. Two kiddies can be accommodated on stack beds.
Contact - Lyndsay - 0829225988
Organics Origins
Experience a private micro retreat at Organic Origins Hogsback. The 3 cabins & 1 cottage offer views, rest and quiet.
Contact - Dayle - 0712338008
Trengwainton Self Catering
Trengwainton is a well maintained property on the Bluff with beautiful gardens and 3 cottages.
Contact - Joanne Campbell - 0761586722
Gwala Gwala
A permaculture farm and apiary on the bluff with 2 quiet self-catering options: The Forest Cottage or The Farm Studio
web.facebook.com/GwalaVentures
Contact - Stephanie via whatsapp 065 521 8493
Away with Fairies
Away with the Fairies Nature Lodge and Backpackers is situated right on the Hogsback cliffs overlooking the indigenous forests with unrivalled views.
awaywiththefairieshogsback.co.za
Contact - hogsback1@gmail.com
The Edge Mountain Retreat
Self catering cottages, beautiful gardens with stunning views. Great food and wine in our Woud 'n Wijn Country Restaurant.
Contact - Contact - Peter Colyvas - 0826035246
OTHER ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS:
https://visithogsback.co.za/site/
GENERAL INFO and ACTIVITIES in HOGSBACK
Non-runners have no fear of being bored in this beautiful, fun, fairytale land.
The area is a haven of creativity with many arts and crafts studios to visit. The arboreteum is a short walk from the race village and there are plenty of short to longer hike options in the area.
Horse Riding, Mountain Biking, Birding and Abseiling are all options. Walk the Labyrinth, meet the potter, definitely eat the handcrafted chocolate!! There are shops full of crystals and really good meals served up in several wonderful restaurants. (And it’s not compulsory to run a race in order to treat yourself to one of the excellent massages on offer.)
RED CLAY CAFE on the Main Road not only has great coffee and the unbeatable, best-in-the-country carrot cake, but dinner and drinks too AND they will have live music on the Hobbit weekend.
Hogsback now has a well stocked Spar minimarket
Fuel is available from the Petrol Station next to Spar, on the main street
GETTING to HOGSBACK
Closest airport: KuGompo (East London) and then drive 150km (2h00) or fly to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and then drive 270km (3h15).
For transfers from KuGompo (and accom in Hogsback) check www.awaywiththefairies.co.za
Use our social pages to find share ride options.