THE BIG TREE
The well sign-posted “Big Tree” is situated on the N2, just east of the entrance to Storms River Village. A 500m wooden boardwalk through indigenous forest leads to the Yellowwood giant. Walking to the tree takes about 10 minutes. The tree is estimated to be ±800 years old; it stands 36.6 meters high and has a circumference of almost 9 meters.
Ratel Trail (1 km to 4.2 km)
This walk starts and ends at the Tsitsikamma Big Tree. Three routes have been laid out and have been colour coded with red (4.2km), yellow (2.6km) and green (1km) footprints giving a choice of walking distances. On the red walk, you will encounter a big Hard Pear tree and on the yellow walk, a big Yellowwood tree.
INDIGENOUS FOREST TRAILS STARTING IN STORMS RIVER VILLAGE
Plaatbos Trail (8 km to 22 km)
The Plaatbos Forest adjacent to Storms River Village offers easy access and beautiful walks in the indigenous forest. You can either follow the marked trails through the forest or walk along the historic Storms River Pass. Three routes have been laid out and have been colour-coded with yellow (8km); red (7,5km) and green (5km) footprints. On the yellow trail, one can enjoy a picnic and swim in the Storms River at the Old Bridge picnic site at the bottom of the pass.
Goesa Trail (2 km)
This short 2km walk starts at the SANParks office, and traverses through the indigenous forest. It descends to a stream bordered by Giant Tree Ferns, before ascending back to the start point.
TRAILS STARTING AT TSITSIKAMMA NATIONAL PARK (CONSERVATION FEE APPLIES)
The Mouth Trail (2km 1 hour)
The Mouth Trail is the most popular walk in the Tsitsikamma and starts at Sandy Bay (next to the restaurant in ther park) and takes one along a winding board walk through indigenous forest to the mouth of the Storms River. Here visitors will cross the famous suspension bridge (one of three at the mouth) and see the Storms River Mouth Cave (Khoisan Heritage Site). For the more energetic, the trail continues after the bridge and leads up to the lookout point on the plateau. This is a steep climb.
Loerie Trail (1 km 1 hour)
This is a must for people who have never experienced the splendour of the indigenous forest. The Loerie trail emerges onto the plateau at the Agulhas lookout point, after a brief uphill climb. The trail then passes through a short section of fynbos, before continuing through the spectacular coastal forest.
Blue Duiker Trail (3 km 2 hours)
The Blue Duiker is a slightly longer version of the Loerie Trail and will take you into the heart of the forest. There you will discover the true forest giants, of which the Outeniqua Yellowwood is surely the most imposing. The trail ends at the beginning of the famous Otter Trail.
Waterfall Trail (6 km 3 hours)
The Waterfall Trail comprises the first 3km of the world-renowned Otter Trail. At the end of the 3km stretch along the rugged coastline, the spectacular waterfall, plunging into a deep pool, before flowing into the sea, will enchant you. We suggest that you take along your bathing costume and a picnic meal. This trail will take you approximately 1 ½ hours to walk to the waterfall and 1 ½ hours back. This trail is fairly strenuous and caution must be taken at high tides.
TRAILS STARTING AT BLOUKRANS
Rugbos Trail (1.3 to 3.1 km)
Three routes have been laid out and have been colour-coded with yellow (1.4km); green (1.3km) and blue (3.1km) footprints, giving a choice of walking distances. The green and blue walks starts at the Tsitsikamma Khoisan Village at the Bloukrans River. The yellow walk starts and ends at the Rugbos picnic site on the Bloukrans Pass. A big Yellowwood tree can be seen on the green walk.
Stinkhoukloof Walk (8 km)
This nature trail is situated in the Tsitsikamma indigenous forest and starts and ends at the Bloukrans Forest Station. The walk (8km) traverse s through indigenous forest and plantation. Crane your neck up at the giant trees such as Yellowwood, White Pear, Stinkwood, Cherrywood and Cape Beech; and in the wetter parts you will encounter enormous Tree Ferns. At about the 5km mark, enjoy a swim in the pool.
