The Tsitsikamma Trail is a versatile hiking trail with a maximum duration of 6 days and the option of either a traditional backpacking style hike or the easier option of slackpacking.
Trail Itinerary
The trail heads east from the coastal village of Nature’s Valley to the Storm’s River bridge, with 5 overnight huts along the route.
With a total length of 59km, the trail leaves the coast and heads north east into the Tsitsikamma mountain range, passing through coastal thicket, fynbos, pristine afro-montane forest, and pine plantations with some spectacular river crossings and scenic waterfalls along the way.
Day 1 : De Vassalot Rest Camp to Kalander Hut. 3km, 45 minutes
Day2 : Kalander Hut to Bloukrans Hut : 14.5km, 3.5 to 4 hours, 430m ascent
Day 3 : Bloukrans Hut to Keurbos Hut : 13km, 4.5 to 5 hours, 640m ascent
Day 4 : Keurboshut to Heuningbos Hut : 13km, 4.5 to 5 hours, 700m ascent
Day 5 : Heuningbos Hut to Sleepkloof Hut, 13.5km, 4.5 to 5 hours, 820m ascent
Day 6 : Sleepkloof Hut to Storms River Bridge, 3.2km, 45 minutes
It is possible to hike the entire route in 4 days by combining the first and second days and the 5th and 6th days respectively.
Reservations for the trail is flexible, and it is also possible to book shorter hiking durations of one, two or three days, as each daily stage has emergency exits, which can be used as start and finish options.
There is a selection of shuttles that offer transfers from your finish location to your starting point. They also offer transfers to and from all the emergency exit point for hikers planning for shorter itineraries, making it ideal for a weekend hiking getaway.
Overnight Huts
The overnight huts and kitchen facilities are rustic, but well laid out. and include multiple braai areas, braai grids, a gas cooker, kettle, cast iron pot, large skillet and braai tongs. Fire wood is also provided.
Sleeping huts comprise original dormitory style bunk room, which sleep between 6 and 10 hikers, and the new A frame two sleeper units. There is a high demand for the A frame huts, and some hikers tend to dash to get to them. While they do provide privacy, they do however get extremely hot in the late afternoon sun, and most hikers tend to spend the afternoon outside as a result.
The toilets are flush loo's and gas geysers provide hot water for the showers, though expect the gas to run out on at least one day.
Slackpacking.
A popular way to do any multi day hike is opting for the slackpacking option. Slackpacking, eases your load of hiking, whereby hikers hike with a daypack, with essentials for the day, and the rest of their luggage is transported to the overnight venue.
On the Tsitsikamma Trail, for the slackpacking option, you separate your food into daily refrigerated and frozen packages and label each days portions. The labels are provided as a PDF to be printed when you book.
Your clothing, sleeping sleeping gear and towels are packed into a suitable bag. To avoid items getting misplaced, it is best not to have loose items.
Trail Gear
The weather in the mountains can change rapidly and fluctuates from hot to cool depending on which slope you are hiking on.
Clothing and hiking gear should include the following :
Comfortable hiking clothing
Fleece top
Waterproof shell
Sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses.
Spare socks
Footwear for the overnight venues
Comfortable hiking shoes or train runners
Evening clothing
Towel - either full or hiking towel depending if you are backpacking or slackpacking.
Dry bag
Wet gear bag
Headlight / torch and lamp
Hiking poles
First aid kit
Cooking and eating Gear
Hiking stove - for prep on the trail and in the event that gas runs out at the hut.
Hiking kettle - to overcome delays if the trail is full
Hiking pot - there is only one pot provided at each hut.
Mugs, plates, cutlery
Matches / lighter
Wash up cloth, dish washing soap, drying towel
Thermo cup - great for a hot beverage on the trail
A week before you begin hiking, check the weather for the trail so that you can fine tune your equipment accordingly. You can check the weather forecast suitable for the area using this link : Tsitsikamma Trail Weather
Planning for the Trail
Mountain Hiking
The trail has moderate daily distances with medium daily ascents on the middle four stages, and requires a level of fitness to hike it comfortably.
The section to Nademaalsnek, the second saddle crossing on the stage between Heuningbos and Sleepkloof Huts is on the north facing slope and can get extremely hot from midday. Temperatures can be 5 Deg Celsius higher than the forest sections, so you will experience variations as you pass between the two eco types.
Despite not being particularly high, the weather can change in a short period of time, with updrafts forming clouds in half an hour and then evaporating just as quickly, requiring apparel that can protect you accordingly.
Tsitsikamma Mountains also have a high annual rainfall of approximately 980mm, so sections of the trail can be wet and boggy.
The streams are great to swim in, especially on a hot summers day or when a berg wind is blowing, but the water temperature can be cold, especially after rain.
Berg winds occur on a northerly wind and can reach 35 Deg Celsius with very low relative humidity, and can be debilitating if you are not used to the dry heat associated with them. Make sure that you carry sufficient water and sip mouthfuls frequently.
If you plan to backpack the trail, train with a full pack and make sure that your pack setup is comfortable.
Guided Trail Option
The Tsitsikamma Trail is either hiked as a self guided or as a guided trail. For groups and company outings wanting a guided hike, Garden Route Trail offers a guiding and catering service as a slackpacking option for the full duration or shorter itineraries on the trail. For details on costs and catering contact Mark via email
