Otter Hiking Trail - South Africa Tours, Adventure
Otter Hiking Trail
Unique coastal scenery, tidal pools rich in marine life, thick forest, and river mouths create a natural paradise in the Tsitsikamma National Park. The five-day route with four overnight stops is unidirectional - from Storms River to Natures Valley.
Tour Code: O/Sanp
Depart From: Storms River
| Ending at: Natures Valley
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Duration: 5 Days
Country:
South Africa
Departures: Daily
Type: Adventure | |
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Tour Description
The trail runs through the Tsitsikamma Forest in the magnificent Garden Route. It is a 5 day trail (4 nights) and offers the hiker majestic coastal scenery, tidal pools rich in marine life, indigenous forest and fynbos, Elandsbos, Storms River and Bloukrans River mouths, verdant valleys and breathtaking natural scenery.
The trail is provided with log huts with toilets, fire places and firewood, 2 huts per site, each hut accommodating 6 people, in bunks with mattresses.
The Otter Trail, built and run by the National Parks Board, is clearly marked with the Otter emblem painted yellow in rocky areas. The route follows the shore, and ascends 200 m to the coastal plateau where necessary.
It funnels through thick canopy forest and crosses streams and rivers. Although the stretches between overnight shelters are short (the longest day's hike is only 14 km), some of the slopes are steep.
However, there is enough time to walk slowly, enjoy the flowers, snorkel in the tidal pools and observe birds and other wildlife. The National Parks Board insists that hikers sleep at every hut, to prevent bookings becoming confused.
NEW CONDITIONS OF THE OTTER TRAIL
The age restrictions of 12 (minimum age) and 65 (maximum age) years are used as an indicative ages, due to the level of physical demands of the Otter Trail.
All hikers from the ages of 65 and above will be requested to produce a recent doctor’s certificate that confirms their fitness level to undertake the challenging terrain of the Otter Trail.
All young hikers below 12 years of age should be accompanied by their parents/guardians who will be legal signatories to SANParks Indemnity Form to be submitted with copies of their identity document or passport at the Tsitsikamma reception desk before undertaking the Otter Trail.
Itinerary
Arrival
Guests arriving for the trail must book in at the Tsitsikamma National Park Office at Storms River Mouth.
Distances and Durations
The trail is 5 days and 4 nights.
Day 1 = 4.8 km (± 2 hours)
Day 2 = 7.9 km (± 4 hours)
Day 3 = 7.7 km (± 4 hours)
Day 4 = 13.8 km (± 6 hours)
Day 5 = 6.8 km (± 3 hours)
The total distance is 42.5 km
The Otter Trail Map is available on sale in the park office.
Water
There are numerous streams and springs throughout the length of the Otter Trail that are suitable for drinking purposes. However, it may be wise to use purification tablets especially if you are not used to this water. There are rainwater tanks at each overnight hut that may also be used. However, due to erratic rainfall patterns, the level of these tanks may be low from time to time.
Firewood
Firewood is provided, however it is not covered from rain and therefore may be wet. Hikers are required to carry their share of wood from a woodpile, close by on the trail.
Cooking facilities
Each hut has a braai place with a sturdy steel grid. Within each hut there is a table on which food can be prepared. Hikers need to provide their own gas stoves and pots for cooking.
Other Facilities
There are two huts and a single toilet at each overnight stop. Each of the two huts contains 6 beds with mattresses - hikers must provide their own blankets/pillows/sleeping bags etc. Rubbish bins are provided at each of the overnight stops. Field rangers remove the rubbish regularly. There are benches present. Please only use biodegradable soaps on the trail.
Tides
It is important to be aware of the dates and the times of the high and low tides prior to hiking the Otter Trail. This is especially important when it comes to crossing the bigger rivers such as the Elandsbos and the Bloukrans Rivers.
Cellphones and Reception
Cellphone reception is intermittent along the Otter Trail. Reception may be picked up when the trail reaches up onto the plateau or when the coastline juts out to sea. There is no reception at the overnight huts.
Emergency procedures
There are several escape routes that lead to the top of the plateau where there are access routes that lead to the N2.
Fitness
A fair degree of fitness is required as there are some steep sections, which together with a backpack can become tiring, especially after a few hours of hiking. One must be prepared to hike up to 13 kilometers a day, over rough terrain, steep ascents and descents and under any weather conditions.
Tour Include
Rest huts for each of the 4 nights.
Tour Exclude
You have to provide your own bedding, food, utensils and equipment.
PLEASE NOTE - Bookings must be made well in advance as the trail is very popular.
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