Otter Trail
~2 days · 22.8 mi · hard · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Otter Trail is known for
South Africa's oldest and most storied hut-to-hut trail, hugging the Garden Route's rocky shore from Storms River Mouth to Nature's Valley with a tidal crossing of the Bloukrans River.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 0 ft to 666 ft over 22.8 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 6.4 mi · 28%
- Downhill 9.4 mi · 41%
- Flat 7.0 mi · 31%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Otter Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Otter Trail scores 32/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Otter Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Otter Trail in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 22.8 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Otter Trail?
The Otter Trail climbs roughly 6,542 ft total — about 287 ft per mile, topping out near 666 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.