THE OTTER TRAIL - SUMMARY NOTES BY JKA

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hikes including times for breaks. There is no

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need to rush.

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Undoubtedly the best known and most popular hiking trail in South Africa, the Otter Trail must rank

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alongside the best trails in the world. The 5-day trail is 41km long and follows the spectacular

Tide Details

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coast line from Storms River to Natures Valley.

Time

Height

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Day 1

STORMS RIVER MOUTH TO NGUBU HUTS

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Friday

The trail starts from the S.A. National Park's Storms River rest camp. The first part

4.8

3

(H) 02H22

1.64

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20-Apr-01

of the trail to Ngubu hut involves quite a lot of boulder hopping andamp; with full packs, care

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(L) 08H21

0.44

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must be taken to prevent injury. After a while the hiker reaches a large cave andamp; it is

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(H) 14H37

1.60

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worth taking a break here to explore this natural feature. Beyond the cave the trail

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(L) 20H36

0.4

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continues to the base of a majestic waterfall. After heavy rains, the crossing at the

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bottom of the waterfall is the first real obstacle on the trail. At the waterfall the Otter

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hikers leave behind any day hikers that have ventured from the rest camp andamp; continue

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the short remaining walk to Ngubu overnight huts.

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Day 2

NGUBU HUTS TO SCOTT HUTS

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Saturday

The second day is probably the most varied andamp; beautiful walk of the trail. It starts with

7.9

6

(H) 02H51

1.76

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21-Apr-01

a steep climb away from Ngubu andamp; then follows a walk through a beautiful area of virgin

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(L) 08H50

0.34

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forest. Eventually the hiker reaches the solid quartz outcrop of Skilderkrans. Here it is

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(H) 15H07

1.70

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time to take a break andamp; have a look if one can see the dolphins or whales from this

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(L)21H02

0.32

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incredible vantage point. The trail then descends to cross the beautiful Kleinbos river

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before reaching the sandy shores of Blue Bay (an ideal spot for lunch). From Blue Bay

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a steep climb awaits, but it is not long before Scott Hut comes into view andamp; the end of

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the second day's walk is accomplished.

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Day 3

SCOTT HUTS TO OAKHURST HUTS

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Sunday

The third day starts with the crossing of the Geelhoutbos river which flows next to the

7.7

5

(H) 03H21

1.85

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22-Apr-01

huts. The trail follows the rocky coastline until the Elandsbos river is reached at about

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(L) 09H20

0.26

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morning tea time. This is a good place for a swim, either in the river or the sea. The

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(H)15H37

1.78

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trail continues along the shore, passing through fynbos until the Lottering river comes

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(L) 21H29

0.26

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into view with the Oakhurst huts situated on the far bank.

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Day 4

OAKHURST HUTS TO ANDRE HUTS

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Monday

This is the longest section andamp; the need to reach the Bloukrans river at low tide makes

13.8

8

(H) 03H51

1.92

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23-Apr-01

this day the most difficult, depending on the time of low tide. The distance to the river

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(L) 09H49

0.20

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from Oakhurst is about 10km. This section is particularly well marked to help hikers

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(H) 16H07

1.83

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who have to set off before dawn. The estuary at Bloukrans is deceptive when first seen

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(L) 21H57

0.22

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from the cliff top. The estuary is wide with the dark hint of the river on the far side. It is

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important to cross the river within half an hour of low tide unless one wants a difficult

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Set off by

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swim followed by a dangerous rock scramble. Once across the river, the hikers can take

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05H00 to reach

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a well earned rest in the pebble cove adjacent to the Bloukrans estuary before

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Bloukrans river

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completing the last stretch to Andre.

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by low tide

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Day 5

ANDRE HUTS TO NATURE'S VALLEY

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Tuesday

The final leg of the trail is a relatively easy walk to Nature's Valley. It starts off with a

6.8

3

(H) 04H22

1.96

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24-Apr-01

boulder hop across the Klip river before a steep climb up to the top of the cliff. From here

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(L) 10H20

0.18

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the trail continues along the edge of the cliffs through fynebos before dipping briefly to

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(H) 16H38

1.85

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cross Helpmekaar river. Eventually Nature's Valley comes into view and all that’s left of

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(L) 22H26

0.22

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this incredible trail is a steep descent followed by a walk across a sandy beach to the

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trails end.

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The trail participants were Keith (leader) and Margaret, Coenraad and Vicky, Graham and Grethe, Danny, Rod, Merle, Carolee, Peter and Helen.

For a more detailed write-up of the trail by Peter andamp; photographs by Rod visit our website or contact me for a hardcopy - Keith.

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