Hiking
The best way, in our opinion, to really appreciate the natural beauty of Cata is on foot. There are a number of hiking options, and the people of Cata are ready to tailor-make a walk for you. If you are reasonably fit, and have some time on your hands, we would strongly urge you to consider hiking the Amatola Community Trail. Much more than just a hiking trail, it is a great walking experience, through a spectacular and dramatic natural environment; magnificent views; cascading waterfalls; deep gorges; fascinating geological features; many swimming pools and picnic spots; ancient indigenous forests; imposing rocks and cliffs; and amazing bird and plant life. The trail offers face-to-face engagement with some of the wonderful people of the Amatolas; access to rural experiences that are otherwise inaccessible and insight into the heritage of the area, rural homesteads and innovative post-apartheid development processes. The trail is as much as about community as it is about the Amatolas. Click here for a detailed map of the trail.Amatola Community Trail
Day 1
The Cata village has been home to a multi-facetted development process since 2000. The available natural resources in Cata convinced planners that agriculture, forestry and tourism are the sectors with the most potential. There has been significant progress in all these sectors in recent years. As a result, there is much to do and see in Cata, so arrive as early as possible!Learn about local history in the community museum and explore its outdoor component, the heritage trail, to erstwhile family homesteads and an extraordinary toposcope. There are various ways to take in the natural splendour of Cata apart from walking or driving around. including horse riding and mountain biking.
One of the fantastic features of Cata is its numerous indigenous forests characterised by large, flourishing populations of yellowwood trees - the national tree of South Africa -which provide shelter and food for the endangered Cape Parrot. In the early evening, venture down (under the tutelage of a trained local guide) to one of the bird-watching trails to catch a glimpse of the Cape parrot and other wonderful birds.
Spend the first night in comfortable, well-appointed chalets overlooking the village and valley stretching down to the Cata Dam. Enjoy a sundowner at the tranquil spring on the eastern side of the chalets and a generous dinner prepared by local caterers, using tasty home-grown produce.
Day 2
Relax and enjoy a leisurely breakfast before heading off to the Cata huts above Waterfall Forest. (This is the last catered meal until Day 4.) There are four possible routes to choose from.The shortest route is through the Nyanga Forest to the north-east of the chalets, and then into the dramatic Waterfall Forest, before ascending to the Cata Hut. This route is recommended for bird enthusiasts, as the bird-life in and around the Nyanga Forest is plentiful and varied.
The other three routes to the Cata Hut share the same path for the first few kilometres, east through the Nyanga village and then north up to the ‘Amatola Amphitheatre’. After passing through a commercially-spaced wattle plantation, enter an indigenous forest. At this point, join the network of trails that is the Amatola Trail, designated with yellow footprints. Now select between three options: an upper route, a middle route and a lower route. If the weather is bad, the upper route is recommended. Although this is the longest route, it is also the easiest. Be sure to chat to Siziwe Katangana and her team of local workers who are busy establishing a 400 hectare pine plantation that is 100% community owned. They will be working along the final stretch of the upper route. The most difficult, but also most rewarding, route is the lower route, through Waterfall Forest. The climb up through the forest is strenuous, largely because of the steep terrain, but the numerous waterfalls en route are breathtaking. Arrive at the Cata Hut in the early to mid-afternoon. If it is a hot day, venture some 300 metres beyond the hut, along the Day 3 trail, where you will find an inviting swimming pool. The Cata and Mnyameni Huts have recently been installed with donkey-boilers. Fire and stoke the boiler well in advance to enjoy a piping-hot shower!
Day 3
Day 3 piggy-backs directly onto the Amatola Trail, which is a magnificent, but arduous, seven-day trail starting at Maden Dam to the north of King William’s Town and ending at Hogsback (some 100km later). South Africa’s leading outdoor magazine, Getaway, recently voted the Amatola Trail as the best hiking trail in the country. Of all the hiking segments of the Amatola Trail, arguably the best is the section between Cata and Mnyameni. This is the treat of Day 3 of the Community Trail.
Because you need to cover about 15 km on the day, depart the Cata Hut early. It’s a steady climb for the initial 5km, up to the awesome, craggy summit of Geju Peak, which stands at some 1880m above sea-level, offering magnificent 360 degree views from the apex. Be on the look-out for the Black Eagles which have made Geju their home. (Only take the short-cut option, through the Geju ‘saddle’, in bad weather.) For the remaining 10km descend, gently at first, onto a plateau to the east of Geju, and then dramatically into the deep, dark treasure chest - Mnyameni Gorge. Having scaled the heights, it’s now plummet the depths. On your way down to the plateau, traverse a fascinating agglomeration of large, marble-like boulders that are light in colour. The gorge is an abyss between east and west, so the hiking here involves a lot of contour zig-zagging, but also plenty of delving into wonderfully-ancient indigenous forests. Take time to savour the numerous waterfalls in the gorge, some of which drop almost 30m. Arrive at Mnyameni Hut, tired but deeply satisfied having experienced an unsurpassable day’s hiking.
Day 4
Today’s is a long walk – about 17km – so leave Mnyameni Hut early. The first couple of kilometres
is a steep ascent through an indigenous forest below Mnyameni Peak (otherwise called Hog 3).
Thereafter, contour around hills below the peak, until reaching Mnyameni Ridge, where the views are magnificent. After clambering over an extended rocky outcrop, scale the ridge and then descend into the Wolf River catchment area. There are many swimming spots between the 7 and 10km marks (see map). From kilometre 6 to kilometre 15, trace the course of the mighty Wolf River, which runs into the largest of the three Keiskammahoek dams - the Sandile Dam. During rainy times, the designated river crossing at the 7km mark swimming spot can be treacherous; when this is the case, continue south on the eastern side of the Wolf River to re-join the marked Amatola Trail at the around the 8km mark.
Wind further south into the Wolf River valley of impressive, massive rocks that characterise the ravines. Shortly after the 10km mark, arrive at a junction. Take the trail to the left, marked ‘Wolf Ridge’ (not the trail to the right, marked Zingcuka Hut). From this point, it is no longer the Amatola Trail; instead of yellow footprints, now follow the white markings and footprints for the final 7kms. After crossing the concrete bridge and descending into the depths of the Wolf River Forest look out for baboons, vervets or samango monkeys. They’re plentiful in this area is because of the predominance of wild gardenias - evergreen indigenous trees identified by their dark grey, ‘crocodile skin-like’ bark, bell-shaped creamy white flowers (December to February), and round green fruits. The primates eat the ripe fruits off the trees, whilst bushbuck, grey duiker and bushpigs devour dropped fruits in forests.
The Manyakanyaka homestead is a wonderfully relaxing environment in which to end the community trail experience. In late afternoon, the household is a hive of activity, with fires being lit for cooking and heating water, and young Bulelani heading out on horseback to herd the family’s cattle into the kraal. The birdlife around the homestead is abundant and varied, so a set of binoculars is a must. Enjoy a sumptuous dinner around the fire and sleep peacefully in the wonderful dung-smeared rondavel.
Alternative: Day 4
The Mnyameni Escape Take a more relaxing and varied option - the Mnyameni Escape - a flat 3km walk through the Malan Forest to the beautiful crystal-clear, blue-green waters of the Mnyameni Dam, home to wild rainbow trout. On arriving at the eastern side of the dam wall, meet up with a local trout fishing guide who teaches the basics of fly-fishing and assists in this exciting adventure sport. In the beautiful surrounds of the dam, enoy a well-deserved brunch served by local caterers, before heading off to the picturesque village of Mnyameni. After off-loading at the homestay , enjoy a guided meander through the village where local crafters are at work, making a range of interesting and functional items. Return to the homestay, relax and enjoy a hearty evening meal and a restful nights’ sleep in the heart of the Amatolas.
(Please note that the Mnyameni Escape is not yet fully and finally developed. This process should be complete by mid-2010. Enquiries in this regard to Ms Boniswa Tontsi on +27 (0)83 734 0739.)
Latest News
Feel the heartbeat of an ordinary Xhosa village - opt for a homestay and live with one of the Cata families for the duration of your stay. Perhaps you might like to have your evening beer at the local tavern and meet your neighbours. read more
From the newly-built chalets you can enjoy the view of the mountains and the Cata Dam on the road to Keiskammahoek. You can opt for self-catering or have meals prepared for you in traditional Xhosa style. read more
Cata is a paradise for children… bicycling or horse-riding or learning a little of the local language. And, of course, they could meet the local children and together with them, look for cattle in the afternoon.
But Cata is not as ordinary as you might think first when you enter the village. During apartheid the village underwent a complete forced removal from the hills to the valley. This programme was ironically called “betterment“ and affected millions of people all over South Africa. This, and the successful fight for restitution, is documented in the Cata museum. read more
