Otter Trail

Garden Route National Park Tsitsikamma

General Information about the Otter Trail

Distances and Durations

The trail is 5 days and 4 nights. The following distances and durations are as follows:
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)
Total Distance = 42.5 km
Distances are indicated per kilometre for each day on the Otter Trail Map that is available on
sale in the park.

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 and where streams/rivers pass through communities such as
the Coldstream\Witels River (3.6 km mark of the 4th day) and the Lottering River (7.5 km
mark of the 4th day). 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. However, it
sometimes happens that there is a build-up of excess wood not used by previous hikers that
is placed under the steps of the huts, which is usually dry.

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
Otter Trail Info 08 May 2012
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the Otter Trail. This is especially important when it comes to crossing the bigger rivers
such as the Elandsbos and the Bloukrans Rivers.

The Bloukrans River Crossing

The Bloukrans River crossing is on the 4th day of the Otter Trail. It is approximately 10 km
from Oakhurst Hut that takes about four and half hours (4.5) to reach. This river is best
crossed during low tide. Once the river has been crossed it is approximately another 3.8
kilometers (two and a half hours) to the next overnight stop. It is wise to arrive well before low
tide, so that enough time is available to plan your crossing. If you are unable to cross the
river, you can take the escape route labelled E6. This escape route branches to the right of
the trail just before the Otter Trail descends to the Bloukrans River Mouth. The escape route
climbs steeply to the top of the plateau where it leads to the N2. To reach the N2, it will take
approximately 2 hours.
Safety precautions

Safety items that can be included are the following:

Small First Aid kit

Survival Bag
Thermal blanket
Map of Trail
Cell phone
Rope

Cell phones and Reception

It is advisable that a cell phone is taken together with the following numbers:
Storms River Police - 10111
Park Headquarters - (042) 28 11 607
Cell phone 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. The escape routes are indicated as E 1 – 6 on the map. Cell phone
reception may be reached here.

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 kilometres a day, over rough terrain, steep ascents and descents and under any
weather conditions.

Food Requirements
Requirements are for 5 days and 4 nights (Only a guide)

Instant breakfast cereal

Sugar

Coffee

Tea
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Hot chocolate

Powder milk

Salt & Pepper

Packet soup

Instant pastas

Smash

Vegetable extract

Cheese wedges

Crackers

Fruit bars

Biscuits

Rusks

Glucose sweets

Jam

Chocolates

Fresh meat or boerewors for first night

Dishwashing liquid

Dish cloth

TIPS
1. Have every hiker carry *2 briquettes for the first night braai (*number dependent on how
many is in the party)
2. Pack cotton shirts and parachute-type fabric as it dries easier
3. Pack a poncho for heavy rain
4. Have a fitted rainproof cover for your backpack
5. Pack all the contents of your backpack in resealable plastic bags
6. Always have enough socks and underwear
7. Pack a pair of waterproof sandals as it is useful for crossing rivers and at the hut
8. Anti-diarrhoea and water purification tablets (for those with the sensitive stomachs, not
often required)
9. Sunblock and Mosquito spray or lotion (always a must have)
10. Last but not least a camera

NOTE:

1. Age allowed and fitness

• 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.

2. Maximum of 12 persons allowed on the Otter trail

3. The rule should be - “WHEN IN DOUBT, LEAVE IT OUT!”