How hard is Otter Trail?

Otter Trail is graded hard over 42 km. Difficulty grades are set by the reserve or operator, not a national standard — read the safety note on the listing before you go.

Are dogs allowed at Otter Trail?

Dogs are not allowed at Otter Trail.

Where do you park for Otter Trail?

Start at Storms River Mouth Rest Camp. Arrange transport from Nature's Valley back to the start — SANParks does not run a shuttle.

Tsitsikamma, Garden Route · Western Cape

Otter Trail

Distance42 km
Gradehard
DogsNot allowed
Map Directions
Official Conditions
This device
Send
Paper

Forested cliffs meeting the sea near Knysna on the Garden Route — Garden Route region · representative photograph, not this specific trail

SANParks describes the Otter Trail as a five-day, 42km hike starting at Storms River Mouth Rest Camp and ending at Nature's Valley in the De Vasselot section of Garden Route National Park. The route follows the Tsitsikamma coast, climbing where the plateau rises about 200 metres above the sea, with six escape routes and overnight huts. It is a reserved trail, not a day walk: book through SANParks reservations (reservations@sanparks.org or 012 428 9111). Groups are limited; popular dates open many months ahead and fill quickly. Daily conservation fees at the park are separate from the trail booking. The Waterfall Trail at Storms River Mouth follows only the first stretch as a day hike. Dogs are not permitted.

Questions

How hard is Otter Trail?: Otter Trail is graded hard over 42 km. Difficulty grades are set by the reserve or operator, not a national standard — read the safety note on the listing before you go.
Are dogs allowed at Otter Trail?: Dogs are not allowed at Otter Trail.
Where do you park for Otter Trail?: Start at Storms River Mouth Rest Camp. Arrange transport from Nature's Valley back to the start — SANParks does not run a shuttle.

Spot an error or a closed path?

Trail facts change. Tell us what you saw and we'll check it against the reserve.

Nearby on the map

From this pin: Storms River Mouth Trail (same gate); Tsitsikamma Waterfall Trail 0.6 km; Robberg Nature Reserve 47 km; Kranshoek Trail 62 km.

Storms River Mouth Trail

Tsitsikamma, Garden Route · same gate · easy

The 2km, one-hour SANParks walk from Storms River Mouth Rest Camp to the Tsitsikamma suspension bridges.

No dogs

Tsitsikamma Waterfall Trail

Tsitsikamma, Garden Route · 0.6 km away · moderate

SANParks' 6km, three-hour return from Storms River Mouth along the first stretch of the Otter Trail to a coastal waterfall.

No dogs

Robberg Nature Reserve

Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route · 47 km away

CapeNature peninsula 8km south of Plettenberg Bay with three circular walks — 2.1km, 5.5km or 9.2km — and picnic decks at the viewpoints.

Picnic
No dogs

Entry from R75

Kranshoek Trail

Knysna, Garden Route · 62 km away

SANParks’ 9km Knysna-section walk from the Kranshoek picnic site — forest to coast, not the 800m Garden of Eden boardwalk.

No dogs

Hike at your own risk. Trail conditions change — weather, fire damage, water crossings and rockfalls can make a route unsafe with little or no notice. Distance, difficulty and other details here are compiled from public sources and may be outdated. Always verify current conditions with the relevant park or reserve authority before setting out, and hike within your own ability.