Tsitsikamma - Walks and Short Hikes in Storms River Village and Tsitsikamma National Park

• Tsitsikamma
• Storms River

ALL THE HIKES LISTED BELOW ARE FREE, SELF GUIDED HIKES AND DON'T NEED ANY PREBOOKING TO DO.  THE ONLY COST INVOLVED IS THE ENTRANCE FEE (CONSERVATION FEE) AT THE NATIONAL PARK AND THE BIG TREE AS INDICATED IN THE LISTINGS BELOW.

FOR GUIDED HIKES, CONTACT STORMS RIVER ADVENTURES

Plaatbos Walks – Storms River Village

The Plaatbos Forest adjacent to Storms River Village offers easy access and beautiful walks in the indigenous forest.  You can either follow the marked trails through the forest or walk along the historic Storms River Pass.  Three routes have been laid out and have been colour-coded with yellow (8km); red (7,5km) and green (5km) footprints. On the yellow trail, one can enjoy a picnic and swim in the Storms River at the Old Bridge picnic site at the bottom of the pass.

- No cost applicable

Goesa Walk – Storms River Village

This short 2km walk starts at the SANParks office, and traverses through the indigenous forest. It descends to a stream bordered by Giant Tree Ferns, before ascending back to the start point. Sections are along wooden board walks.

- No cost applicable

Fynbos Trail – Storms River Village

This trail meanders through fynbos, and is an easy 1.8km flat route, offering some lovely views of the Tsitsikamma Mountains. The start is  from the Armagh Country Lodge.

- No cost applicable

Ratel Trail - The Big Tree

This walk starts and ends at the Tsitsikamma Big Tree. Three routes have been laid out and have been colour coded with red (4.2km), yellow (2.6km) and green (1km) footprints giving a choice of walking distances. On the red walk, you will encounter a big Hard Pear tree and on the yellow walk, a big Yellowwood tree.

- Big Tree entrance fee applicable

The Mouth Trail - Tsitsikamma National Park (Storms River Mouth) (2km - 1hour)

The Mouth Trail is the most popular walk in the Tsitsikamma and starts at Sandy Bay (next to the restaurant in ther park) and takes one along a winding board walk through indigenous forest to the mouth of the Storms River.  Here visitors will cross the famous suspension bridge (one of three at the mouth) and see the Storms River Mouth Cave (Khoisan Heritage Site).  For the more energetic, the trail continues after the bridge and leads up to the lookout point on the plateau. This is a steep climb.

- Conservation fee for entering the National Park will be charged, or, enter with Wild Card

The Loerie Trail - Tsitsikamma National Park (Storms River Mouth) (1km – 1 hour)

This is a must for people who have never experienced the splendour of the indigenous forest. The Loerie trail emerges onto plateau at the Agulhas lookout point, after a brief uphill climb. The trail then passes through a short section of fynbos, before continuing through the spectacular coastal forest.

- Conservation fee for entering the National Park will be charged, or, enter with Wild Card

Blue Duiker Trail - Tsitsikamma National Park (Storms River Mouth) (3.7km – 2 hours)

The Blue Duiker is a slightly longer version of the Loerie Trail and will take you into the heart of the forest. There you will discover the true forest giants, of which the Outeniqua Yellowwood is surely the most imposing. The trail ends at the beginning of the famous Otter Trail.

- Conservation fee for entering the National Park will be charged, or, enter with Wild Card

Waterfall Trail - Tsitsikamma National Park (Storms River Mouth) (6km – 3 hours)

The Waterfall Trail comprises the first 3km of the world-renowned Otter Trail. At the end of the 3km stretch along the rugged coastline, the spectacular waterfall, plunging into a deep pool, before flowing into the sea, will enchant you. We suggest that you take along your bathing costume and a picnic meal. This trail will take you approximately 1 ½ hours to walk to the waterfall and 1 ½ hours back. This trail is fairly strenuous and caution must be taken at high tides.

- Conservation fee for entering the National Park will be charged, or, enter with Wild Card

Striptease Trail - Tsitsikamma Lodge (5km - 4 hours)

The trail starts at the Tsitsikamma Lodge and covers 11 pools along the 5km trail, which usually takes about 4 hours to complete. But the length of time will depend on just what you get up to en route!  The crystal clear rock pools all have names. You'll start your back to nature ramble at the Pebble pool. Don't stay there too long because the inviting Honeymoon pool is waiting for you, followed by the pretty waterfalls of the Cataract pool.  Then it’s on to the Bikini pool, the Topless pool, the Bottomless pool (not named for the deep water), the Halfway pool, the Boobs pool, the Fantasy pool and, finally, the rather rudely named Kaalgat pool.  Just make sure you ring the warning bell before approaching the final pool.  You can either return along the same route or walk back along the shorter mountain route.

- No cost applicable but you have to report to the hotel reception to sign in