Tsitsikamma Mountain Hiking Trail

About

2, 3 4, 5 & 6 Days

Backpack or Slackpack option.

The Tsitsikamma Mountain Trail, Eastern Cape, Tsitsikamma journeys through lush forests and mountain fynbos. Ancient river gorges and abundant rivers and streams provide plentiful swimming opportunities.

Beginning in Nature’s Valley and ending 60-km further at either the Storms River Bridge or Village, this 6 day, unidirectional trail takes hikers through the heart of the Tsitsikamma Mountains. Shorter variations (2,3,4 or 5 days) are possible as each of the five overnight huts has its own unique access route with safe parking at the start.

Optional equipment porterage (slackpacking) now provides hikers with the chance of having all their equipment transported between overnight huts, allowing the luxury of carrying only daypacks on each day’s journey. This makes the trail accessible to a wider range of people and provides all with more time for swimming, photography, birding and other activities usually limited by time or weight constraints.

Field guides and binoculars are definitely recommended along this exciting and unpredictable journey. Many of the forest giants are labelled with their tree names and hikers can have much fun with guessing and identification games along the route.

The Tsitsikamma Trail was South Africa’s first officially accredited hiking trail and has recently been allocated the Green Flag Certificate for a trail under excellent management.

The Tsitsikamma Trail in the Garden Route has undergone a major upgrade to provide a better experience for local and international visitors.

Timber overnight huts, including two-man A-frame units and larger six-person huts, have been built, and existing huts have been refurbished.
Communal meeting, cooking and washing facilities have been upgraded to include hot water donkey boilers, showerheads and outdoor showers, along with solar-powered electricity points with USB and other charging ports.

Trail

Kalander Hut 2 Day Hike

Difficulty  – Moderate

This is one of the shortest hikes available. The Kalander hut 2 Day hike begins in Nature’s Valley Rest camp with an option of two routes to the Kalander Hut, one via the beach from Natures valley or via the dedicated trail through the coastal forest only 3.4km away. The Hikes traverses around the natures valley lagoon to a Hut nestled amongst the coastal thicket only a stone’s throw from the beach. Spend the night around a campfire listening to sounds of waves crashing. Return the following day refreshed and ready for the next adventure.

Kalander 3 Day Hike

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

The Kalander hut is situated only a stone’s throw from the Natures Valley beach. The first-day hike is a brief 3.4km from the Nature’s Valley rest camp with an option of entering the trails from the beach from Natures valley or via the coastal forest route.

The following day begins with a climb up the escarpment. Panoramic views and changing vegetation herald the arrival of the plateau and its wealth of fynbos. Most of the day’s hike, however, will take you through the indigenous Afromontane forest as you venture inland towards the foothills of the Tsitsikamma Mountains. The Bloukrans hut is situated on the verge of a cliff and offers incredible views of the river gorges below and Peak Formosa and the Tsitsikamma Mountains to the north. A couple of hundred meters beneath the balcony a coca-cola-colored waterfall tumbles away.

The final day exits the trail towards the Bloukrans forest station 7.5km away.

Kalander 4 Day Hike

Difficulty: Difficult

The Kalander hut is situated only a stone’s throw from the Natures Valley beach. The first-day hike is a brief 3.4km from the Nature’s Valley rest camp.

The following day begins with a climb up the escarpment. Panoramic views and changing vegetation herald the arrival of the plateau and its wealth of fynbos. Most of the day’s hike, however, will take you through the indigenous Afromontane forest as you venture inland towards the foothills of the Tsitsikamma Mountains. The Bloukrans hut is situated on the verge of a cliff and offers incredible views of the river gorges below and Peak Formosa and the Tsitsikamma Mountains to the north. A couple of hundred meters beneath the balcony a Coca-Cola-colored waterfall tumbles away.

The third day takes one deep into the Tsitsikamma Mountains and forest. This is a wetter and more remote world where a true sense of isolation begins to take hold. He trails weave through a selection of fynbos over the ridges and enchanted patches of indigenous forest as the trail begins its eastward course through the mountains. The crossing of the Bloukrans River at Waterwitelsgat is always exciting and provides a wonderful swimming and resting place. The rest of the day follows predominantly flat terrain through flower-rich fynbos and relic forest. Shortly before reaching Keurbos hut, there are rockpools resembling natural Jacuzzis at the twin tubs. The hut is situated in the wetter Keurbos forest.

Tsitsikamma – 5 Day Hike

Difficulty: Difficult

The Kalander hut is situated only a stone’s throw from the Natures Valley beach. The first-day hike is a brief 3.4km from the Nature’s Valley rest camp with an option of entering the trails from the beach from Natures valley or via the coastal forest route.

Day two begins with a climb up the escarpment. Most of the day’s hike, however, will take you through the indigenous Afromontane forest as you venture inland towards the foothills of the Tsitsikamma Mountains. The Bloukrans hut is situated on the verge of a cliff and offers incredible views of the river gorges below and Peak Formosa and the Tsitsikamma Mountains to the north.

The third day takes one deep into the Tsitsikamma Mountains and forest. The trail weaves through a selection of fynbos over the ridges and enchanted patches of indigenous forest as the trail begins its eastward course through the mountains. The crossing of the Bloukrans River at Waterwitelsgat is always exciting and provides a wonderful swimming and resting place. Shortly before reaching Keurbos hut, there are rockpools resembling natural Jacuzzis at the twin tubs. The hut is situated in the wetter Keurbos forest.

The following day passes through very diverse habitat types and has many exciting river crossings. After an approximate 1,5km gradual descent from Keurbos hut through very tall fynbos the Lottering River is reached. Hikers should proceed slowly up Rushes Pass, pausing regularly to appreciate the majestic views. Once over the saddle, large pockets of the untouched indigenous forest become visible in remote mountain regions. The path then descends for a similar distance to follow the western bank of the Elandsbos River for almost a kilometer before reaching the Elandsbos River crossing point. Heuningbos indigenous forest has many hidden secrets awaiting hikers further ahead. After the final descent towards the hut, you will cross the Kleinbos River twice before reaching the Heuningbos Hut. A very pleasant swimming pool lies within rolling distance away.

The hike exits south towards the Boskor Sawmill 5 km away ready to be collected by a shuttle.

Tsitsikamma 6 Day Hike (Full Trail)

Difficulty: Difficult

A brief 3.5 km hike from Nature Valley Rest Camp brings you to the first overnight stopover, The Kalander hut, situated only a stone’s throw from nature’s valley beach. The first-day hike is a brief 3.4km from the Nature’s Valley rest camp with an option of entering the trails from the beach from Natures valley or via the coastal forest route.

The second day sets the tone for the rest of the trail and begins with a climb up the escarpment. Most of the day’s hike, however, will take you through the indigenous Afromontane forest as you venture inland towards the foothills of the Tsitsikamma Mountains. The serene staircase waterfalls demand a break and a refreshing swim before heading off the last stretch towards the hut. The Bloukrans hut is situated on the verge of a cliff and offers incredible views of the river gorges below and Peak Formosa and the Tsitsikamma Mountains to the north. A couple of hundred metres beneath the balcony a Coca-Cola coloured waterfall tumbles away.

The following day takes one deep into the Tsitsikamma Mountains and forest. The trail weaves through a selection of fynbos over the ridges and enchanted patches of indigenous forest as the trail begins its eastward course through the mountains. The crossing of the Bloukrans River at Waterwitelsgat is always exciting and provides a wonderful swimming and resting place. Shortly before reaching Keurbos hut there are rock pools resembling natural Jacuzzis at the Twin tubs. The hut is situated in the wetter Keurbos forest.

The third day passes through very diverse habitat types and has many exciting river crossings. After an approximate 1,5km gradual descent from Keurbos hut through very tall fynbos the Lottering River is reached. Once over the saddle, large pockets of the untouched indigenous forest become visible in remote mountain regions. Heuningbos indigenous forest has many hidden secrets awaiting hikers further ahead. After the final descent towards the hut, you will cross the Kleinbos River twice before reaching the Heuningbos Hut. A very pleasant swimming pool lies within rolling distance away.

Day four is the longest trail section and will see hikers negotiate two saddles on the route to Sleepkloof hut. Most of the day passes through pristine mountain fynbos where many interesting species occur. The crossing of the Witteklip River marks the day’s halfway point and the second saddle’s ascent begins shortly thereafter. The view from the top of Nademaalsnek is a just reward. Sleepkloof hut nestles on the slopes of a densely forested gorge where wood was dragged out during the woodcutter era. The hut has magnificent views of the Tsitsikamma mountains lurking in the distance.

The hiking trail exits the Storms River Bridge on the N2 Storms River Bridge and is a short hike of 3.4km. An alternative route can be used through Storms river Village via the Tsitsikamma National park. The route heads down Bosvaringpad and crosses the N2 highway into Plaatbos on the Skuinsbospad trail. This adds 3 extra kilometres to the trail but is worth every step.

The hike then exits towards the Lottering plantation office on a winding road between the Elandskop and Grenadier’s Cap peak 11,5km away.

Accommodation

The trail’s overnight accommodation facilities have been upgraded to an excellent standard and you can truly enjoy magnificent views and relax in comfort at each of the five overnight huts. Each hut is supplied with bunk beds and mattresses accommodating a maximum of 24 hikers per night. Spacious balconies with undercover wooden table and chair combinations provide for a congenial patio setting.

The ablution facilities at each hut have two flush toilets, two showers and a wash basin. A novel hot water shower-bucket is available at all five overnight huts. Clean, fresh water is readily available from the rain-tank taps and at basins.

Kalander Hut Features:

The Kalander hut comprises of one large room with four separate inter-leading bedrooms.

• There are bunk beds with basic mattresses that can accommodate up to 24 hikers at Kalander Hut.
• In close proximity to Nature’s Valley beach as well as Groot River lagoon & river mouth.
• They do not supply firewood to Kalander as they cannot drive to the hut.
• Please bring along a small pack of wood or charcoal if you would like to make a fire for cooking purposes or warm water for a hot shower.
• Kalander Hut has two flush toilets and two showers (one with hot water shower bucket) at the ablutions adjacent to the hut.
• Kalander Hut also has an outdoor fire-making area as well as undercover lapa area (with indoor braai) for preparing food and washing up.

Blaauwkrantz Hut Features:

The Bloukrans consists of two separate rooms leading out onto a communal patio/stoep with wonderful viewing deck.

• Magnificent mountain views towards Peak Formosa from the Bloukrans Hut and surrounding area.
• The hut is situated in close proximity to the very deep Bloukrans river gorge and thus has possibly the best view of all overnight hiking huts in South Africa
• The Tolbos River directly beneath the hut provides very enticing coca-cola coloured rock pools for swimming.
• Wood is supplied

Keurbos Hut Features:

The Keurbos hut consists of two separate rooms leading out onto a communal patio/ stoep with wonderful viewing deck.

• The twin tubs provide a cooling plunge into what resembles a natural jacuzzi. You may have to share the tubs with the resident frogs.
• The Lottering River crossing is situated 1.5 km to the east on route to Heuningbos Hut. This is a great place for a refreshing swim if you have the energy and time to walk an additional 3km from Keurbos Hut.
• Wood is supplied

Heuningbos Hut Features:

The Heuningbos hut consists of two separate rooms leading out onto a communal patio/ stoep with wonderful viewing deck.

• The well-equipped lapa area has an indoor firemaking place as well as adjacent outdoor braai area.
• The lapa area is supplied with kettles and cast iron pots and pans.
• They do supply firewood at Heuningbos Hut.
• There is a separate ablution area which has two flush toilets and two showers (one with hot water shower bucket).
• The best feature of Heuningbos Hut is the awesome swimming provided by the Kleinbos River rock pools which are situated in close proximity.
• Wood is supplied.

Sleepkloof Hut Features:

The Sleepkloof Hut consists of four separate bedrooms and a balcony overlooking the forested river gorge and surrounding mountains.

• The well-equipped lapa area has an indoor fire-making place as well as adjacent outdoor braai area.
• The lapa area is supplied with kettles and cast iron pots and pans.
• We do supply firewood at Sleepkloof Hut.
• There is a separate ablution area which has two flush toilets and two showers (one with hot water shower bucket).
• Wood is supplied