Day 1: The Tsitsikamma Trail
By Voets Toets Hiking
Tsitsikamma
Day 1 and introduction to South Africa's first officially accredited hiking trail, the 𝐓𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐒𝐈𝐊𝐀𝐌𝐌𝐀 𝐇𝐈𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐋. Our adventure began at De Vasselot Rest Camp, situated in Nature's Valley, Western Cape. It's a 63km, six-day, unidirectional trail, covering diverse landscapes, including Afromontane forests, mountain fynbos, and river gorges. The multi-day trail ends at Storms River Bridge or Storms River Village, Eastern Cape.
3,6km trail on offer
Easy and scenic route
Merrell Hiking Boots, water shoes, firewood, gas bottle, burner, pot, rain jacket, trekking pole, extra clothes, hydration, first aid kit and energy snacks
Route:
The weather was cloudy and windy, but that did not deter our excitement to finally get underway after months of planning. It's an easy walk to the first hut, mostly under tree canopy cover, with a small river crossing. We followed the road alongside the Groot River Lagoon, and in no time, we found ourselves at the hut. We unpacked our gear and headed off to explore the beach and river mouth.
Follow The Route
Field Notes:
Kalander Hut is the only Hut without firewood, so it's best to split it amongst your group and carry it in your backpacks. A gas bottle, burner, and pot are needed for coffee and preparing breakfast. A rain jacket, trekking pole, extra clothes, hydration, first aid kit, and energy snacks were some of the other items in my bag. Water shoes came in handy, and my preferred Merrell boots handled the terrain with ease.
Join Our Hiking ClubTrail Log:
The first day's experience was truly memorable, venturing through the coastal forest and lagoon environment. Exploring the lagoon mouth and taking in the views of the Southern Cape Coast was just magical. After dinner, we headed off to bed, and as I closed my eyes for a well-deserved rest, I could hear the waves crashing and the sound of the insects of the dune forest 'Douwurmkop' come alive!
