This track was identified and mapped via high-resolution satellite imagery.
Otter Trail
South Africa's first and most famous official hiking trail. It follows the wild Tsitsikamma coastline from Storms River Mouth to Nature's Valley, through indigenous forest, over rocky shores and across a series of river mouths, including the Bloukrans crossing, which must be timed for low tide. Hikers sleep in coastal huts above the waves.
Trail Map
Initialising Map Engine...
Trail Profile
General Instructions
5 days and 4 nights, westbound only. Check tide tables before the Bloukrans crossing and carry a dry bag to float your pack if needed. Paths are steep and muddy after rain, and there is no vehicle access between start and finish.
Weather check
Sampling Micro-Climate...
-34.0203, 23.8914
Slide to preview conditions across the entire route • Point: -34.0203, 23.8914 @ 81m
Quick Stats
Highlights
- Ford the Bloukrans River at low tide
- Swim beneath the waterfall on day one
- Watch dolphins and, in season, whales from the clifftops
- Sleep in the oceanfront huts at Scott and Oakhurst
- Walk through ancient yellowwood and milkwood forest
Field Radio Protocol
VHF-UHF Communication
Propagation Telemetry
Ridge Line
92%Gorge Floor
18%Sector Relay: Sector Alpha Relay• 12-18 KM Range
Regulatory Compliance
VHF/UHF frequencies are for monitoring and emergency coordination only. Transmitting on these bands may require an Amateur Radio License or regional government permits. Check local telecommunications laws before operation.
Technical Analysis
Total Ascent
+536 m
Total Descent
-606 m
Ruggedness Index
Terrain Roughness Index
Vertical displacement per km. Typical range: 0 (Smooth) to 100+ (Extreme Mountain).
28.9
Tortuosity Index
Route Curviness Index
Ratio of actual path to straight line. Typical range: 1.0 (Direct) to 3.0+ (Switchbacks).
1.27
Gradient Distribution
Surface & Hydrology
Surface Spectrum Analysis
Includes only technical water fords where the vehicle actively enters a stream or riverbed. Permanent bridges are excluded from this count.
Difficulty Analysis
Difficulty is determined by a technical multi-vector analysis of elevation profile, surface quality, and topographic intensity.
Bounding Box (WGS84)
Point Spacing: 24.6 m • Engine: TrailX Precision GPX ANALYTICS v1.0.0
Reviews & Discussion0
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Plan this trip
Before you go: Otter Trail
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