Hiking Trail Description

	River crossing

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 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 trail reservation and should be reserved separately. This interesting tip for Otter hikers was submitted by Leila Patel: "I think Hikers need to be made aware that should they require accommodation the evening before they start hiking they should contact Natures Valley Guest House (I don't have their details but I'm sure you will be able to find them in the telephone directory). The accommodation is very reasonable and you don't have to worry about organising a lift to your car (I just found this out and I am totally miffed!) The Parks Board is charging us quite a bit for accommodation the night before and we still need to organise our own lift back to our cars! Whereas if we had organised accommodation with Nature Valley we wouldn't have to worry about this coz we would have been able to just hop into our cars and go back home!" THE TRAIL This famous 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 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.

GENERALLY The trail starts at Storms River Mouth and ends at Nature's Valley. 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 of 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. 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).

Wonderful green coastal flora

DAY 1 (4,8 km, 2 to 3 hours) 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.

DAY 2 (7,9 km, 4 to 6 hours) 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.

	Left: Bluebay Right: Otter

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.

DAY 4 (13,8 km, 6 to 8 hours) 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.

DAY 5 (6,8 km, 2 to 3 hours) 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.

The trail starts about 2 km west of the restaurant and car park at Strorm’s River, and continues past the Goudgate and early Millwood claims. Follow the white arrows and otter signs as you clamber over the rocks past a Khoisan cave to a pool and waterfall near Ngubu’s Huts. On the second day you climb onto the coastal plateau of indigenous forest and fynbos and may be lucky enough to see a whale or dolphin at Skilderkrans. The ascents and descents make this section of the trail very demanding although the distant covered is only about 8 km. A detour down to Bloubaai is worth the effort. 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 superb. Oakhurst Hut comes into view after crossing the Lottering River either by swimming or boulder-to-boulder hopping higher up. The fourth day’s hike, though longer than the others is less demanding. Time your crossing of the Bloukrans River for low tide. Even so, you may have to cross some distance inland and will need to return towards Andre’s Hut. The trail passes through wooded areas and fynbos between Andre’s and Nature’s Valley, to the cliff tops at the point. Take care at river crossings after heavy rains. The trail is limited to 12 people.