![Otter Trail](https://cdn.slatesource.com/c/4/5/c45989c8-10b3-497e-badc-f96ce4e7e6d1.webp)

# Otter Trail

- [Made in Slatesource](https://slatesource.com/u/steph/otter-trail)
- By [Steph](https://slatesource.com/u/Steph)
- Travel & Exploration
- Created on May 17, 2026

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Duration

~10.1 hours

Distance

36.6 km

Elevation gain

573 m

Difficulty

T2 — moderate mountain hike

High point

205 m

## The Otter Trail

South Africa's oldest official hiking trail, a 45 km, five day coastal route through Tsitsikamma National Park on the Garden Route. The path drops in and out of ravines between Storms River Mouth and Nature's Valley, with overnight huts perched above the surf and the famous Bloukrans River crossing timed against low tide.

SANParks releases the 12 daily permits up to 13 months in advance and slots vanish within minutes, so diarise booking day. Check the Bloukrans tide table on day four and plan to cross around low water, the river is impassable at high tide after rain.

[More info](https://www.sanparks.org/parks/garden-route/what-to-do/activities/otter-trail?utm_source=slatesource)