The Otter Trail is located in the Tsitsikamma National Park, Eastern Province of South Africa and considered by most hikers to be the best hiking trail in the Country.

The Trail follows the spectacular Eastern Cape coastline from Storms River Mouth to Natures Valley.

This five day hiking experience will stay with you for the rest of your life. It is 42,5kms long and it is not an easy trail.

Most of the trail follows cliff tops returning to sea level to cross rivers with elevation ranging from sea level to a height of more than 150m.

Day 1 (Start to Ngubu - 4,7km) Day one is the shortest and flattest section of the hike. Sign in and buy a permit at the registration centre next to the entrance gate. You can watch an orientation video if time allows. Hit the trail and follow the yellow otter footprints. The first day's hike takes you along the coastline along boulders through some forest and ends at the at Ngubu hut which is a cosy wooden cabin close to the sea.

Day 2 (Ngubu to Scott - 7.9km) The second day starts at the Ngubu hut and ends at the Scott Hut. Climb and then a walk through forest to rocky outcrop and vantage point called Skilderkrans across Kleinbos River along Blue Bay beach to end at Scott Hut.

Day 3 (Scott to Oakhurst - 7.7 km) Day three starts at Scott hut across the Geelhoutbos River along the coastline to the Elandsbos River along the coast over the Lottering River to end at the Oakhurst huts.

Day 4 (Oakhurst to Andre -13.8 km) On the fourth day you start at Oakhurst huts. A 10km walk takes you to the Bloukrans River estuary and takes approximately four and a half hours to reach. This river is best crossed during low tide and hikers should be prepared to float their packs across the river. Once the river has been crossed it is approximately another 3.8 kilometres to end at the Andre huts. Care must be taken to cross the river at low tide.

Day 5 (Andre to Nature's Valley- 6.8 km) The last day starts at the Andre huts over the Klip River with a climb to the top and along the edge of a cliff down to and across the Helpmekaar River along the beach to Nature's Valley at trails end - a welcome site and a wonderful place to rest up before rejoining the rat race. A detailed Otter Trail Map can be found on Tracks4Africa maps. Also read our blog on the hike.

BACKPACK WEIGHT:
The weight of your backpack should not be more than a quarter of your body weight. The heavier you carry, the more you WILL suffer. The heavier your bag is, the more difficult it is to balance yourself over rocky terrain.

OVERNIGHT HUTS:
Huts are basic but comfortable and extremely well kept. There is a braai area at each hut (as well as a covered lapa shared between the two huts) and ample wood is provided to braai or just enjoy a campfire. You should, however, still take your own gas stove and pots along for making coffee along the route or preparing soup or pasta when you don't braai. There is a water tap at each hut and at the lapas.
At every overnight hut there is a flush toilet with a big window that overlooks the sea.
There is no electricity at the overnight huts. Take candles and a LED head light otherwise you will be left in the dark.
There is a cold shower at every night's camp as well as the option to wash off the day's sweat in the sea.

RIVER CROSSINGS:
Be prepared for river crossings - Get the tide time tables before you start out on the trail and plan the day's hiking to try and reach the Elandsbos River on the third day and the Bloukrans River on the fourth day at low tide.

WILD ANIMALS:
If you are lucky you will spot a leopard!

Be the first to leave a comment.

Be the first to submit a link