The Otter Trail - South African Flagship

This Hike is situated along the Garden Route nearfollows a rugged coastline with steep inclines.
Storms river in the Eastern Cape, one of theSeveral rivers and estuaries also have to be
most scenic areas in Southern Africa. If hiking incrossed. No person should hike alone. A minimum
the outdoors is your passion, then this is one ofof four people is recommended. Weather
the top hiking trails in South Africa, you can'tconditions should always be taken into
afford to miss.consideration as it could change rapidly.
This famous trail traverses 42 km of ruggedThe trail starts about 2 km west of the
coastline, with the booming breakers of the Indianrestaurant and car park at Strorm's River, and
Ocean on the one side and fynbos and indigenouscontinues past the Goudgate and early Millwood
rain forest on the other, crossing 11 rivers onclaims. Follow the white arrows and otter signs as
route to Nature's Valley. The six-day trip fiveyou clamber over the rocks past a Khoisan cave
day-trail with four overnight stops run from theto a pool and waterfall near Ngubu's Huts.
Storms River Rest Camp to Nature's Valley.On the second day you climb onto the coastal
The trail is clearly marked with blue otter signsplateau of indigenous forest and fynbos and may
and painted otter spoor in rocky areas.be lucky enough to see a whale or dolphin at
The Otter Trails runs through the TsitsikammaSkilderkrans. The ascents and descents make this
National Park which stretches for 80 km along thesection of the trail very demanding although the
scenic southern Cape coast and 5,5 km out todistant covered is only about 8 km.
sea. The Storms River Mouth rest camp, at theA detour down to Bloubaai is worth the effort.
start of the trail, provides overnightAfter a night at Scott's Hut, the third day's hike
accommodation and has a shop and a restaurant,follows an undulating course and is one of the
information centre, swimming pool for residentmost scenic on the trail. Swimming in the
visitors, caravan and camp sites. AccommodationElandsbos River is superb. Oakhurst Hut comes
for the nights prior the and on completion of theinto view after crossing the Lottering River either
trail, is included in the trail reservation.by swimming or boulder-to-boulder hopping higher
The trail starts just west of the oceanettes atup.
the western end of the Storms River rest campThe fourth day's hike, though longer than the
and is clearly marked with blue otter signs andothers is less demanding. Time your crossing of
painted otter spoor in rocky areas.the Bloukrans River for low tide. Even so, you
Generally there are two overnight huts at each ofmay have to cross some distance inland and will
the overnight stops. Each contains sleeping bunksneed to return towards Andre's Hut. The trail
with mattresses for six persons. Barbecuepasses through wooded areas and fynbos
facilities and chemical toilets are provided.between Andre's and Nature's Valley, to the cliff
Firewood is left at the roadside from where it hastops at the point. Take care at river crossings
to be carried to the huts. Water is available at theafter heavy rains.
huts of in nearby streams.Reservations should be made long in advance
Hikers are advised to fill their water bottles at thebecause of the popularity of this trail, this trail is a
streams they cross. They have to carry thereal winner and booking should be considered
essentials, such as gas stoves, cooking utensils,about a year in advance.
crockery, cutlery and sleeping bags, themselves.Please take note that the trail is limited to 12
Hikers should be reasonably fit as the Otter trailpeople at a time.