The Otter Trail is undoubtedly the best known and most popular of the South Africa hiking trails. And the Otter trail must rank alongside the best trails in the world. The trail follows the spectacular Eastern Cape coastline from Storms River Mouth to Natures Valley in the Tsitsikamma National Park.
The Otter Trails runs through the Tsitsikamma National Park which stretches for 80 km along the scenic southern Cape coast and 5,5 km out to sea. The Storms River Mouth rest camp, at the start of the Otter trail, provides overnight accommodation and has a shop and a restaurant, information centre, swimming pool for resident visitors, caravan and camp sites. Accommodation for the nights prior the and on completion of the trail, is not included in the otter trail reservation and should be reserved separately. This tip for Otter trail hikers is one that nearly everyone gets caught by. Should they require accommodation the evening before they start hiking they should contact Merle a good recommendation is Natures Valley Guest House. The accommodation is very reasonable and you don't have to worry about organising a lift to your car. The Parks Board is charging us quite a bit for accommodation the night before and you still need to organise your own lift back to your cars!
This famous Otter trail - flagship of hiking trails in the parks - traverses 42 km of rugged coastline, with the booming breakers of the Indian Ocean on the one side and fynbos and indigenous rain forest on the other, crossing 11 rivers on route to Nature's Valley. The five-day trail with four overnight stops run from the Storms River Rest Camp to Nature's Valley. The Otter trail starts just west of the oceanettes at the western end of the Storms River rest camp and is clearly marked with blue otter signs and painted otter spoor in rocky areas.
There are two overnight huts at each of the overnight stops. Each contains
sleeping bunks with mattresses for six persons. Barbecue facilities and
chemical toilets are provided. Firewood is left at the roadside from where
it has to be carried to the huts. Water is available at the huts or in
nearby streams. Hikers are advised to fill their water bottles at the
streams they cross. They have to carry the essentials, such as gas stoves,
cooking utensils, crockery, cutlery and sleeping bags, themselves. Otter
Trail hikers
should be reasonably fit as the Otter trail follows a rugged coastline
with steep inclines. Several rivers and estuaries also have to be crossed.
No person should hike alone. A minimum of four people is recommended.
Weather conditions should always be taken into consideration as it could
change rapidly. Reservations should be made long in advance because of the
popularity of this trail, this trail is a real winner and booking should
be considered about a year in advance. Direction: Nearing the Paul Sauer
Bridge over Storm’s River, a signpost on the N2 indicates the turnoff to
the entrance of the Tsitsikamma National Park (approximately 11 km).
The first day's walk is only 4,8 km. The first clear landmark is a large cave on the landward side of the route. Some distance further the trail passes a waterfall cascading sown the precipitous cliffs and then it leads to the first overnight point at the Ngubu Hut.
The second day's route starts with a stiff climb up Olienboomkop and passes through virgin forest where large Outeniqua Yellowwood and Stinkwood trees grow, before moving up to the area above Skilderkrans. After crossing the unpredictable Kleinbos river, the trail continues to Blue Bay West and then winds on to the Scott Hut. A total distance of 7,9 km is covered on the second day. The Geelhoutbos River flows into the sea at the Scott Hut and offers good swimming at the mouth and upstream in fresh water.
Otter
Tail - DAY 3 (7.7 km, 4 to 6 hours)The third leg of the trail between the Scott and Oakhurst huts crosses two rivers - the Elandsbos and the Lottering and covers a distance of 7,7 km.
The nest stage of the trail is the longest (13,8 km) - from the Oakhurst to the André Hut. An early start should be made in order to reach the Bloukrans River at low tide. (Consult the tide table at the information centre before the start of the trail.) A clearly marked escape route at Bloukrans should be used if there is any doubt about the safety of the crossing. The André Hut is situated on the bank of the Klip River where fresh water may be obtained.
From the
André Hut the trail crosses the Klip River and swings upward towards the
plateau above the André Hut, approximately 100 m after the crossing. En
route to Nature's Valley, the trail crosses the Helpmekaar river where
fresh water is normally available. The total distance left for the fifth
day is 6,8 km.
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