Activity Description

The Tsitsikamma Trail is a southern Cape hiking paradise, journeying through extensive indigenous afromontane forest and mountain fynbos. This slightly shorter variation of the full 6 Day hike lets us enjoy just enough of the enchanted mountain landscape.

This hike sets off from the Lottering Plantation and winds its way between the Elandskop and Grenadier’s Cap peaks through Noorman se Bos finally reaching the Wetter Keurbos forest where the first night’s hut is settled 11,5km away.

The following day passes through very diverse habitat types and has a number of exciting river crossings. Hikers should proceed slowly up Rushes Pass, pausing regularly to appreciate the majestic views. Once over the saddle, large pockets of untouched indigenous forest become visible in remote mountain regions. The path then descends for a similar distance to follow the western bank of the Elandsbos River for almost a kilometre before reaching the Elandsbos River crossing point. After the final descent towards the hut, you will cross the Kleinbos River twice before reaching the Heuningbos Hut. A very pleasant swimming pool lies within rolling distance away.

Day three is the longest trail section and will see hikers negotiate two saddles on route to Sleepkloof hut. Most of the day passes through pristine mountain fynbos where many interesting species occur. The crossing of the Witteklip River marks the day’s half-way point and the second saddle’s ascent begins shortly thereafter. The view from the top of Nademaalsnek is a just reward. Sleepkloof hut nestles on the slopes of a densely forested gorge where wood was dragged out during the woodcutter era. The hut has magnificent views of the Tsitsikamma mountains lurking in the distance.

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