Tsitsikamma: Storms River Mouth Hike and Suspension Bridge

If there’s one day trip we send every guest on, it’s this one. The Storms River Mouth, tucked inside the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park, sits about an hour and a half east of Knysna along the N2. It’s wild, it’s dramatic, and the suspension bridge walk is one of the easiest big-payoff hikes on the whole Garden Route.

More from the Garden Route network — AloeRoots

Getting There From Knysna

From our doorstep at Knysna Paradise Guesthouse, head east through Plettenberg Bay, past Nature’s Valley, and turn off at the Storms River Bridge. Follow the signs down to the park’s Storms River Mouth Rest Camp. There’s a conservation fee at the gate, so bring your ID and a card. Go early — the car park fills up by mid-morning in December.

The Suspension Bridge Walk

The classic route is the Mouth Trail, roughly 1km each way, and it starts right at the rest camp. You cross a wooden boardwalk, then two suspension bridges that bounce gently over the churning water where the Storms River meets the sea. It’s not strenuous, but it’s not a stroll either — there are steps and uneven sections. Wear proper shoes, not slops.

Standing on that bridge with the Indian Ocean crashing below and the gorge walls towering either side is the moment guests remember. Give yourself an hour to walk it slowly and take photos.

If You’ve Got More Time

• Mouth Trail to the lookout: past the second bridge, a short climb rewards you with a view straight down the gorge.
• Waterfall Trail: about 3km each way along the coast to a waterfall — rockier and quieter.
• Blue Duiker Trail: a gentle 4km loop through coastal forest, good for birders.
• Storms River Adventures: kayaking and lilo trips up the gorge, plus the famous zipline canopy tour.

Practical Tips

Pack water, sunscreen and a windbreaker — the coast here has its own weather. The restaurant at the rest camp does a decent toasted sandwich if you don’t want to self-cater. On the way home, stop at the Storms River Bridge for coffee and a look down the gorge from the viewing platform.

Combine this with a Plettenberg Bay stop, or ask us about pairing it with a stay at our sister property, Knysna Paradise Guesthouse, where we’ll pack you a breakfast to go. It’s the kind of day that reminds you why you came to the Garden Route in the first place.

Knysna Paradise Guesthouse — 2026-09-28