10 Things I Discovered on the Otter Trail

A lot of us adventure-seekers have the Otter Trail at the very top of our “must-do” lists. This 42-km hike takes you along the breathtaking Eastern Cape coastline, from Storms River Mouth to Natures Valley in Tsitsikamma National Park. And guess what? I recently had the pleasure of checking it off my list!

People can’t get enough of this trail. It’s one of the most popular and well-known hikes in South Africa, with a year-long waitlist. Picture spending five days and four nights living in the midst of South Africa’s most mind-blowingly beautiful natural landscapes. The hiking is challenging yet completely addictive, with a delightful surprise waiting for you at every turn.

Now, let me tell you about a few things that totally surprised me on the Otter Trail:

Hey there! Have you ever gone hiking on a trail before? Well, let me tell you about a trail that is quite unique. It’s called “Decks Along the Trail” and it offers some incredible experiences. Let’s dive in!

1. Ups and Downs

As an unknown author once said, “The steeper the mountain the harder the climb, the better the view from the finishing line.” And this truly sums up the essence of this trail. It doesn’t do things halfway. When it goes up, it really goes up! The inclines are challenging, with wooden beams forming stairs that feel like they will never end. We may have cursed them at times, but once we reached the top, all our complaints faded away. The views from those heights were absolutely breathtaking. Every single time. But let me tell you, when the trail decided to go down, it didn’t hold back either. Our poor knees can testify to that! The downhill sections were steep and required some technical skills. And just when we thought we could catch our breath, another uphill challenge awaited us. But despite the physical struggles, the magnificent views made it all worthwhile. The vistas were simply awe-inspiring!

P.S. – Remember, the steeper the climb, the better the views!

2. Loos with a View

Okay, get ready to hear about the most amazing views ever! Seriously, they were absolutely mind-blowing. And guess what? The camps we stayed at had something super cool called a “loo with a view.” Picture this: you’re sitting on the toilet, looking out through one-way glass, and you can see the vast ocean stretching out in front of you. It’s like magic! I even saw dolphins once while I was, well, you know…

3. The Cozy Beach Cabins

Every night, we arrived at a brand new little home in the middle of untouched nature. It was like our own personal paradise. These cabins were built up on stilts, and each one had a balcony with an ocean view. Can you believe it? We were just a few steps away from the beach, and the sound of the waves crashing against the shore was the best lullaby you could ever ask for. It felt like pure magic.

When I stayed in the cabins by the sea, I was excited to find out that each cabin sleeps six people on triple-decker bunk beds. The top bunk seemed like a daring choice, but we didn’t have the courage to try it out.

Cabins by the Sea

4. Dolphins and Whales

One of the best things about staying near the sea was the chance to see dolphins and whales. We were lucky enough to spot dolphins frolicking in the surf almost every day. It was amazing to watch them from our cozy base camps. I have to say, the Dolphin Coast has some serious competition. And if that wasn’t enough, we were also treated to the sight of a mother whale and her calf from one of the high lookout points on the trail. I highly recommend bringing binoculars to capture these incredible moments even better.

Dolphin and Whale Watching

5. Snack Attacks

Once you’ve experienced a real hike, like the one on the Otter Trail, you’ll truly understand the importance of a good snack bar, trail mix, or a swig of Game juice. These little bursts of energy from sneaky snacks were a source of envy among our group. I never skimped on my daily snack packs, and boy, did they come in handy. Our gang had a few favorites: biltong, peanuts and raisins, and liquorice.

6. The Power of Wet Wipes

For the brave souls out there, cold water showers are available at every rest camp along the trail. But for those of us who wanted to avoid pneumonia and perpetually goosebump-covered skin, wet wipes were a godsend. These handy wipes were our go-to solution for staying fresh and clean after a long, sweaty day of hiking with a heavy backpack as our constant companion. I can’t recommend them enough.

7. Walking on Water

Bloukrans wasn’t the only river crossing we had to deal with on the trail. There were a few other smaller crossings, and depending on the tide, some of them required us to come up with a plan to get across. When we had to cross a river that was thigh-deep or higher, we made sure to protect our backpacks by putting them in waterproof bags and floating them with us. It was important to keep our backpacks dry, as it made our camping experience much more enjoyable. We found that water shoes, like straps or aqua-socks, were a lifesaver during every water crossing. I truly believe that we wouldn’t have made it across without any injuries if it weren’t for those shoes. We even shared pairs among ourselves to ensure that everyone had an easy time walking on water. They were incredibly useful.

So, remember, when you’re faced with river crossings on a hiking trail, make sure to keep your belongings safe and dry by using waterproof bags. And don’t forget to invest in a good pair of water shoes to make the crossings much easier and safer for yourself. Trust me, you won’t regret it!

Can you put a price on half a cup of wine, sherry, or Amarula after a long and exciting day of hiking? Impossible. It’s like a magic elixir that rewards our heroic efforts and reminds us why we carry it in our packs. And when the sun sets, we gather around the campfire, sharing stories of adventure and laughing, our glasses filled with the nectar of the gods.

9. Cable ties and duct tape: the ultimate problem solvers

Let’s face it – stuff happens when you’re out in the wild. Your hiking boots fall apart, your waterproof bag gets a hole, and who knows what else. But fear not! We have our secret weapons – cable ties and duct tape. These two humble tools can fix just about anything, saving the day and keeping your adventure on track.

10. Your loyal companions

The best thing you can bring with you on this trail is a group of close-knit and adventurous friends. Sharing the memories of experiences like the Otter Trail is the best part, and we’ll be reminiscing about them at every braai and get-together for a long time to come.

Booking the Otter Trail

To find out more about the Otter Trail, including prices and how to book, click here to visit the SanParks website.

Read about the Otter Trail

If you want to learn more about the Otter Trail, check out these blogs:

– “Hiking the Otter Trail” by Year in the Wild adventurer Scott Ramsay

– “What to pack for the Otter Trail”