Vital Statistics

45 kms and 5 days. It is the oldest and most iconic of South African walks. The trail is clearly marked by yellow footprints on rocks and trees. Total elevation gained 2,600 m. Four river crossings.

When

You can do the trail anytime of the year. It will be easier to get a booking in winter. The best time though is the warmer months where you will be able to enjoy swimming along the way. Spring and Summer go from October to April and it's also a good time to see wildflowers.

Highlights & Scenery

Swimming in rivers and streams, beautiful beaches with huge waves crashing into the shoreline, tidal pools, Jerling River Waterfall, 

With only 12 people allowed on the trail you'll have it all to yourself. It is considered the best walking trail in the country.

Sitting around the campfire at night under the stars

Where to Stay Before & After

CLICK ON THE MAP ABOVE TO SEE THE LOCATION OF THESE TOWNS

Cape Town - 

The obvious place to start if you're coming in from another country - spend a few days

Mount Nelson *****

if you can afford it

or Kloof Street Hotel ****

or Never At Home Kloof Street

Storms River is the closest.

At The Woods Guesthouse ***

Parking, outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, fabulous breakfast included

Storms River Guest Lodge ***

Parking, outdoor swimming pool, bar

Plettenberg Bay is an interesting option

The Robberg Beach Lodge *****

Parking, outdoor swimming pool, beachfront, restaurant, bar, BBQ facilities

Milkwood Manor on Sea ****

Parking, beachfront, restaurant, bar, superb breakfast included

Nature's Valley - the end of the trail

Walking distance from the end of trip celebrations

Tranquility Lodge ***

Parking, very close to the only restaurant in town, outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, beachfront, bar

The Wood Owl's Nature Valley

Parking, open plan apartment with terrce

Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)

Hallack Manor ****

Parking, outdoor swimming pool, bar, superb breakfast included

Carslogie House ****

Parking, outdoor swimming pool, exceptional breakfast included

Jeffreys Bay - along the way

Famous surfing venue aka J - Bay

Every year they hold a world surfing event - normally in July

On the Beach Guest House Jeffreys Bay ****

Parking, beachfront, bar

Beach House

Parking, beachfront

George

No. 10 Caledon St Guest House ****

Parking, garden, terrace, BBQ, superb breakfast included

Whispering Oaks Guest House ****

Parking, outdoor swimming pool

You could fly in to Port Elizabeth and fly out of George or vise versa

Start & Finish

Start at the Storms River Park Reception where you will pay your fees, get a trail map and watch a short video of recent changes to the trail. The trail start s at a nearby parking area.

Finish the walk at Nature's Valley Rest Camp. It is compulsory and they will issue you with an Otter Trail Certificate.

Fun Facts

• It is traditional to head to Nature's Valley Restaurant and Trading Post for a good meal and drink an Otters Arsehole. This will result in you getting another certificate. Another tradition is to leave a few souvenirs from your hike tied aroung the tree in the garden. Old boots, packs and other paraphenalia

• If you're really fit you could run the trail. Get in early.

Transport

The three closest airports are George, Plettenberg Bay and Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). Numerous companies run shuttle services. 

Hiking Trails Transfers also hire out packs and equipment.

Or you could hire a car and leave it safely in the carpark. You could park it at the end and organise a shuttle to get back to the start. Or if there's a group of you you may have 2 or more cars to work it out.

Accommodation

There are 2 x 6 person huts for each night on the trail. They have bunk beds and mattresses, cold showers, rain water tanks, bins, scenic toilets and a BBQ (Braai) area with firewood.

All huts are located at sea level with wonderful sea views. Which means you will always finish the day's walking with a downhill stretch.

Organise

• You will need to fill out and sign a medical questionaire before arriving at the start point

• Only 12 people are allowed on the trail so you will need to get your booking in very early. Spots are booked out a year ahead except for winter. If there are only 2 - 4 of you and you are flexible with your dates it's pretty easy to get a spot. Bookings are made through - 

•  SAN Parks 

Packing List

• Backpack and rain cover - 10kg or less fully packed - the lighter the better

• Raincoat or Poncho

• Bathers (Togs, Swimmers, Budgie Smugglers)

• Survival bags to float your backpack across the Bloukrans River

• All bedding

• Biodegradeble soap

• Tide Tables

• Cell Phone

• Water bottles

• A LED Headlamp

• Candles and lighters

• Sun block

• Hat

• First Aid Kit

• Vaseline - rub over your feet before you put your boots on to avoid blisters and any other bits that rub or chafe

• Well worn in hiking boots or decent trainers and good socks

• A hydration bladder in the backpack works well. A 2 litre pack plus a 1 litre bottle will be enough

• Sarong

• Duct Tape

• Comfy footwear and clothes for the evenings

• CHOCOLATE

Visas

Click here for information

Flights

Cape Town International Airport (CPT) - 

has direct flights to 40 destinations in 19 countries mainly in Africa, Europe and the USA. Main connecting airports would be Johannesburg, Addis Ababa, Atlanta, London, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Dubai and Qatar. They have domestic flights to George, Plettenberg Bay and Port Elizabeth.

Johannesbug Tambo International Airport (JNB) - 

has diret flights to 78 destinations in 40 countries and all populated continents. Sao Paulo, Atlanta, New York, 7 in Europe, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney and many cities in Africa. It also has domestic flights to George, Plettenberg Bay and Port Elizabeth.

George Airport (GRJ) - 

is a small domestic airport with 4 flights 

Plettenberg Bay Airport (PBZ) -

has flights to Cape Town and Johannesburg

Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth Airport) (PLZ) - 

has 3 domestic flights

Check here for airfares.

About

Daily distances aren't that long but there's is so much to enjoy along the way that's how you'll want it.

DAY 1 - 4.8 kms - 2 hours

The first day is short and easy which means you don't have to rush to get underway. A highlight will be the Jerling River Waterfall. Spend the night at the Ngubu Huts.

DAY 2 - 7.9 kms - 4 hours

Longer and harder today with some steep climbs. One of the highlights will be the views from the top of Skilderkrans Lookout about 2 kms into the hike. Later you'll be able to have a swim in the Kleinbos River and Bloubaai Beach. Spend the night at Scott Huts..

DAY 3 - 7.7 kms - 4 hours

Possibly the best day of the walk with a bit of everything thrown in and not as taxing as yesterday. Spend the night at the spectacularly located Oakhurst Huts. Try to get here with enough time to explore your surroundings and enjoy a remarkable sunset.

DAY 4 - 13.8 kms - 6 hours

Today is the toughest day and includes that famous Bloukrans River crossing. You'll need to time it at low tide which may mean starting before sunrise!!  You'll enjoy some dramatic scenery on the way. If conditions are not optimal for crossing the river use the escape route marked E6 on the trail map. Once you're safely across make your way to the Andre Huts.

DAY 5 - 10.8 kms - 5hours

You will have a steep climb to the top of a plateau and generally stay on top of it for most of the day. It has some spectacular lookouts and cliffs along the way. Just to finish things off you'll have a nice 4 km beach walk.

Fitness Level - 7/10

Moderate. It has some steep climbs and river crossings. Main obstacles are swimming across Bloukrans River and climbing up steep terrain with a rope.

Minimum age is 12 years and maximum is 65 years

TIPS

• It's worth taking the side trips and you have plenty of time. You can leave your pack on the trail and it will be perfectly safe

• Take some meat for the BBQ on day one

• Lock your food up at night - genets are the main theives

Safety

• There is no cell phone reception on the trail. There is cell phone reception at the top of each escape route where you should call SANPark Rangers immediately.

• Make sure you have a copy of the tide tables before you head off

• Try to cross the Lottering River close to low tide or you may have to swim it

• If you arrive at the Bloukrans River crossing and the tide is full / the river is flooded / the sea is rough do not cross. Use the escape route E6 marked on the trail map

Eat & Drink

You'll need to pack 4 breakfasts - 5 lunches and 4 dinners plus snacks for the trip

Water from the streams and springs should be ok to drink even though some are coloured by tannins. Water from the larger rivers should be treated. There are rainwater tanks at the overnight huts although they may be low at certain times. You should be able to get by without any filters or tablets

The Cattle Baron Seafood and Grill Restaurant at the Storms River Mouth Rest Camp at the start of the trip

And the Natures Valley Restaurant at the end of the trip. Beer Garden with large wood burning pizza oven and live music at times

Flora & Fauna

Dense coastal forest - Seasonal Wildflowers - an abundance of Rich fynbos and Erica's on day 5 - King Proteas (South Africa's National Flower)

Rich bird life including the Knysna Loerie and African Black Oystercatchers - Dolphins (possibly in their 100's) - Whales - Tidal pools with colourful fish, Sea Anemones and Starfish - Cape Genets - Blue Duiker - Cape Bushbuck - Bush Pigs - Badgers - Vervet Monkeys - Chacma Baboons - Rock Dassies - Caracal - Leopards - Seals - Spotted Necked Otters - Snakes

Cape Clawless Otter - for which the trail is named after

History

The trail is the oldest in South Africa. It was opened in 1968 and was named after the mainly nocturnal Cape Clawless Otter which inhabits this area. It is the most iconic and popular in the country.

Books & Movies

There is a non-fiction guide to the trail by Patrick Wagner called

The Otter Trail and the Tsitsikamma Coastal National Park

Website

https://www.sanparks.org/parks/garden_route/camps/storms_river/tourism/otter.php

Souvenirs

There is a shop at the start of the hike at the Storms River Mouth Rest Camp

Extra

Have a look at Cape Town 2 Zanzibar in 'Train Trips'.