Hogsback is a small one-street town in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. It’s claimed to be J.R. Tolkien’s inspiration for The Lord of the Rings as he was born in South Africa and visited Hogsback in his early years. Who knows if this is true, but I can tell you that this place is truly magical. Get off the beaten path and explore this fascinating town and its surroundings!
Away With the Fairies Hostel
The Main Building
The View from the Hostel
If you don’t stay at Away with the Fairies Hostel in Hogsback, you are making a terrible mistake. This is the place for the world’s famous bathtub (see the pictures below), the starting point for hiking trails, and the best place for meeting new people.
Private Rooms
They have dorms, private rooms and also an option for camping. I stayed in a private room which was kind of isolated from the main building area. This was perfect for me because I really wanted to have some privacy and silence after spending the last few days hanging out with other people and sleeping in dorms.
The World Famous Bathtub
Before I traveled to Hogsback, the only thing I knew about the place, was this bathtub. I had seen some pictures on Instagram, and I knew that I had to visit this place. Where else in the world can you take a bath outside and have a view like this?!
Enjoy the Outdoors
Hogsback is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, and one of the best ways to experience the beauty of the place is hiking. There are plenty of different hiking trails that will take you through the forests, mountains, past the rivers and waterfalls. This is a perfect place to get inspired by nature and enjoy the magnificent scenery.
How to Get There
I was traveling by Baz Bus, and while they don’t go directly to Hogsback, you can catch Away with the Fairies Hostel’s shuttle from either East London or Chintsa. If the shuttle is not running on the day you want to go, you can take a City to City bus from East London to Alice and ask the hostel to pick you up from there.
Make sure to include Hogsback to your South African Itinerary!
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20 comments
Fascinating bathtub but is that bathtub dirty? And how do you get privacy?
It’s far away from the hostel and behind the trees. There’s also a “gate” and if it’s closed someone is having a bath.
OMG! I love the settings of this hostel but that bathtub! I would so love to have a bath and enjoy the view at the same time 🙂 Fantastic review and totally would consider staying here 🙂
This places is a must if you travel to South Africa!
Incredible setting. I know so little about South African geography. This area looks beautiful. (Even though its bathtubs appear dry. 😉 )
Haha, it’s an outdoor bathtub 😀
What beautiful photography! That bathtub shot is awesome. The mountains in Eastern Cape Province are amazing.
Thanks!
I had no idea this place was rumored to be the inspiration for LOTR – and even if it’s not true, I love the story! And I’ve seen that bathtub so many times! There really is nowhere else in the world where you can have a bath with a view like that!
Yes, the bathtub was amazing!!
I have to look for photos of this bathtub on Instagram. This is the first time that I have seen this. Your photos of Hogsback make me think that this place is really a good source of inspiration for J.R. Tolkien. It is such a beautiful place like a perfect getaway. The facade of the private rooms looks nice. I am sure it is cozy and pleasant inside.
I saw the bathtub for the first time on Instagram! 😀
Ha haa, never heard about this bathtube before but now I want to try it also myself. No wonder it is so famous with a view like that . . .
You have to try if you travel to South Africa!
Wow that bathtub is amazing! Do they have camping options in the bathtub lol! Such a beautiful area, no wonder it was the inspiration for Lord of the Rings. I love that they have options for private rooms, dorms and camping – nice that everyone can experience the region and accommodation no matter their travel preference 🙂
Yes, everyone can enjoy this amazing bathtub 😀
I have seen pictures of this place before. Now, I know where this place is and what it is called. I will have to check it out when I visit South Africa one day! Looks like a great place!
I hope you can visit one day 🙂
This place is amazing! So good to know that it maybe is a inspiration for Tolkien movie.
Yes, it was amazing 🙂