Stormsrivier: Forest Walks, Canopy Tour and Old Pass

Stormsrivier offers different ways to experience the Tsitsikamma Forest: on foot along nature trails, on a drive over the old Stormsriver Pass, or between tree platforms on steel cables. Plaatbos Nature Walks and Goesa Nature Walk offer specific trail lengths to compare; the Canopy Tour and the drive offer different experiences. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Stormsrivier, it is best to first decide what kind of excursion you want to shape your stay.

Compare forest walks by trail length

Plaatbos Nature Walks comprises three routes named after colours: the yellow route is 8.09 km long, the red 7.78 km and the green 5.09 km. All three begin at the Forestry Office in Storm River village. This makes it easy to compare the routes directly: green is the shortest, yellow the longest; red is in between and closer in length to yellow. At 2 km, Goesa Nature Walk offers a shorter alternative. It passes through indigenous forest, starts at the Storm River Forestry Office in Stormsrivier and ends there too. When weighing up the walks for your stay, you can consider both their lengths and starting points. Check the current access rules for these walks with SANParks before your visit.

Canopy Tour and drive over the pass

On the Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour, participants glide along steel cables between ten tree platforms through the indigenous forest, up to 30 metres above the forest floor. It starts at the Adventure Centre in Stormsrivier village. This clearly distinguishes it as an experience from the walks: rather than covering one of the stated routes on foot, participants move through the forest between platforms. If you like to combine different kinds of activities in your itinerary, you can consider the Canopy Tour as a separate activity alongside a hike.

The Tsitsikamma Woodcutters Journey offers a different combination: it takes you in a specially designed vehicle over the old Stormsriver Pass through the Tsitsikamma Forest and on to a tree estimated to be 450 to 500 years old. It is called the “Human-like Tree” and the “Forest Guard”. This activity also starts at the Adventure Centre in Stormsrivier village. The drive is therefore linked to a specific natural feature; if you would rather experience the forest on a drive than along a hiking route, you can take this difference into account when planning.

A heritage connection on the Mouth Trail

The Stormsriver Mouth Cave lies near Stormsrivier, on the Mouth Trail. It is designated a Khoisan Heritage Site and adds a place with a recognised heritage connection to the selection. If you plan to take the Mouth Trail, bear in mind that conditions on the trail can vary, and check them before your excursion.

Factor experiences into your choice of accommodation

First consider whether trail lengths or special tours should shape your stay. You can use this decision to guide your search for a holiday apartment in Stormsrivier and the location of each property you consider. The village starting points give your plans a concrete reference; the excursions remain separate options.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Thornhill, Graaff-Reinet, The Haven, Weston, Somerset East, Kirkwood, Cambria, Cape Saint Francis.

Return to the main travel overview: Western District.