The Otter Trail – Flagship of South Africa
This walk is along the Garden Route near the Storms River in the Eastern Cape, one of the most scenic areas in southern Africa. If hiking in the great outdoors is your passion, then this is one of the best hiking trails in South Africa, not to be missed.
This famous trail traverses 42km of rugged coastline, with the booming breakers of the Indian Ocean on one side and fynbos and indigenous rainforest on the other, crossing 11 rivers en route to Nature’s Valley. The six-day trip, the five-day trail with four overnight stops, runs from Storms River Rest Camp to Nature’s Valley.
The trail is clearly marked with blue otter signs and painted otter tracks on rocky areas.
The Otter Trails traverses the Tsitsikamma National Park, which stretches for 80 km along the picturesque southern coast of the Cape and 5.5 km offshore. Storms River Mouth Rest Camp at the trailhead offers overnight accommodation and has a shop and restaurant, information centre, swimming pool for resident visitors, caravans and campsites. The accommodation for the nights prior to and at the end of the route is included in the reservation of the route.
The trail begins just west of oceanetas at the western end of Storms River Rest Camp and is clearly marked with blue otter signs and painted otter tracks on rocky areas.
There are usually two overnight cabins at each of the overnight stops. Each contains sleeping bunk beds with mattresses for six people. BBQ facilities and chemical toilets are provided. The firewood is left at the side of the road from where it must be carried to the cabins. Water is available in the cabins around the creek.
Hikers are encouraged to fill their water bottles in the streams they cross. They must bring essentials themselves, such as gas stoves, cooking utensils, crockery, cutlery and sleeping bags. Hikers should be reasonably fit as the Otter Trail follows a rugged coastline with steep inclines.
There are also several rivers and estuaries to cross. No person should walk alone. A minimum of four people is recommended. Weather conditions should always be taken into account as they could change rapidly.
The trail is located about 2 km west of the restaurant and parking lot at Storm’s River, continuing past the Goudgate and Millwood claims. Follow the white arrows and otter signs as you scramble up the rocks past a Khoisan cave to a pond and waterfall near the Ngubu huts.
On the second day, you hike up the coastal plateau of native forest and fynbos and you may be lucky enough to spot a whale or dolphin at Skilderkrans. The ups and downs make this section of the trail very demanding, although the distance traveled is only about 8 km.
A detour to Bloubaai is worth it. After a night at Scott’s Hut, the third day’s hike follows an undulating course and is one of the most scenic on the trail. Swimming in the Elandsbos River is magnificent. Oakhurst Hut comes into view after crossing the Lottering River, either by swimming or jumping from rock to rock further up.
The walk on the fourth day, although longer than the previous ones, is less demanding. Time your Bloukrans River crossing for low tide. Even so, you may have to cross some distance inland and you will need to head back towards Andre’s Hut. The trail cuts through wooded and fynbos areas between Andre’s and Nature’s Valley, up to the cliff tops at the point. Be careful at river crossings after heavy rain.
Reservations must be made well in advance due to the popularity of this trail, this trail is a real winner and reservation should be considered a year in advance.
Please note that the tour is limited to 12 people at a time.