View of the Bloukrantz River at low tide
Link to detailed route page and map click on route title [route-snippet id=”558″ featured=”image”]The ‘Big Day’ Oakhurst Hut to Andre Hut. Crossing of the ‘intimidating Bloukrantz River.
Through luck rather than good judgement I had booked the Otter Trail (as Mike’s Xmas pressie) when low tide at the Bloukrantz River crossing was late afternoon (about 4.30) giving us lots of time to get there during the day to cross the River mouth. If low tide is early morning then you hear ‘daft’ stories of people getting up in the wee hours, hiking the majority of the trail in the dark to be able to cross at lowish tide. All I can say is that would not be for me. The trail is very rocky in places with a fair amount of scrambling, as well as tree roots to add to the trip challenge. Also the views of the trail especially along the shoreline section were fantastic – so why miss them by hiking in the dark?
The start of the trail was a gentle hike through indigenous forest (after a short steep section up from the hut). We then reached the shoreline for about 2 km of rock hopping, scrambling and route finding. The tide was very high so it felt very immediate with the surf pounding the rocky shore line. Hard work and I needed to concentrate, but very enjoyable. Would have been a serious undertaking at night esp with my R70 head torch! Not top of range…
We had a steep climb up from the beach (see photos) to get to a lovely plateau on top of the cliffs. For a short distance this was in fynbos and we had great views of the shoreline before moving back into indigenous forest. Arrived at the top of the descent to the Bloukrantz in good time to be able to watch the other members of the group start their crossing of the River.
We had planned on crossing at about 2.30, a couple of hours before low tide but as it was only 1.00 we decided to watch the team pick their route across the rocky outcrops, making it easier for us to navigate, and then have our lunch on a sandy bank killing some time waiting for the river levels to drop. By 2.00 the sun was starting to drop behind the mountains so we decided to take off our boots and go for it. Mike timed the waves to avoid getting caught in the tidal surge.
Mike went across barefoot to keep his rockhoppers dry. I was carrying 2 pairs as my luxury item, so had some protection clambering across the rocks. Mike was very successful in getting round to the main rocky outcrop. I was less adept at dodging the waves and had to wait it out for a few minutes on an intermediate outcrop feeling sorry for the mussels I was standing on and walking over.
Crossing was uneventful which pleased us both.
Lovely hike from there around Pebble Cove before ascending up to cliffs above the hut. Hung seashells of giant sea snails on a tree as a loving momento – Mike put his on top of a sign. Wonder how long they will survive there?
Highlight from the walk along the top of the cliffs was we saw a whale. Mike was glad for his binos. I did spotter duty between the whale dives. Natasha had left us a message in the dirt trail with an arrow which was the clue to our sighting. Very happy.
The last hut location was super, on a cove looking out to the sea. Open shower and toilet with views of the breakers crashing over the rocks. You need to be comfortable with yourself and nature to enjoy living in Trail huts. I think boarding school and the territorial army were a great intro to enjoying these types of experiences.
A not so smoky fire in the evening was a nice way to finish the day.
Press the play button to view slideshow of hike
