It is endemic to the Eastern Cape province, South Africa, where it is known from the Winterberg and Amathole Mountains.

[1][2][3] The specific name refers to the type locality, "Amatola Range, near Hogsback".

The dorsum is usually uniform dark grey or olive-brown with a distinct, pale, vertebral stripe.

Detection seems to require suitable weather, i.e., heavy rains that trigger breeding.

[3] The main threats to Amatola toad are loss of grassland through afforestation, overgrazing, and fires.