Stormsrivier: Trails and Nature Experiences

When planning a trip to Stormsrivier, specific trails, forest activities and a heritage site nearby may all be relevant. Plaatbos Nature Walks offer three trail lengths, Goesa Nature Walk passes through indigenous forest, and participants on the Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour travel between treetop platforms. The Tsitsikamma Woodcutters Journey takes visitors through the Tsitsikamma Forest in a specially designed vehicle and to an old tree. The Stormsriver Mouth Cave is also nearby and is described as a Khoisan Heritage Site. This gives you several different considerations to weigh up: what trail length would you like to plan for, what kind of activity interests you, and would you like to include a heritage site in the surrounding area?

Trail lengths at Plaatbos Nature Walks

The three Plaatbos Nature Walks begin at the Forestry Office in the village of Storms River. At 8.09 km, the yellow route is the longest; the red route is 7.78 km, and the green route is 5.09 km. There is just 0.31 km between the yellow and red routes, while the green route is 3 km shorter than the yellow one. If you compare the routes by length, the yellow and red are close in distance; green is the shorter option.

Goesa Nature Walk through indigenous forest

Goesa Nature Walk is 2 km long and passes through indigenous forest. It begins and ends at the Storms River Forestry Office in Stormsrivier. At 2 km, it is 3.09 km shorter than the green Plaatbos route, the shortest of the three Plaatbos walks. Check the current entry requirements before either walk; for Plaatbos Nature Walks, contact SANParks.

Canopy Tour and Woodcutters Journey

On the Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour, participants glide along steel cables between ten treetop platforms through indigenous forest, up to 30 metres above the forest floor. The activity starts at an Adventure Centre in Stormsrivier Village. Travelling between platforms and the height above the forest floor set this experience apart from the walking trails.

The Tsitsikamma Woodcutters Journey travels in a specially designed vehicle along the old Stormsriver Pass through the Tsitsikamma Forest and to a tree estimated to be 450 to 500 years old. The tree is called the “Human-like Tree” and the “Forest Guard”; both names refer to the same destination. This activity also starts at an Adventure Centre in Stormsrivier Village. Both tours start in the village, but differ in how you get around: the Canopy Tour travels between platforms on steel cables, while the Journey goes over the pass by vehicle.

Stormsriver Mouth Cave nearby

Stormsriver Mouth Cave is located near Stormsrivier on the Mouth Trail and is described as a Khoisan Heritage Site. It adds a heritage connection in the surrounding area. Trail conditions can vary; check them before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Addo, Adendorp, Kirkwood, Sidbury, Petersburg, Jeffrey's Bay, Cambria, Willowmore.

For the main travel overview: Western District.