Tsitsikamma, an ancient Khoi word for ‘place of abundant or sparkling water’, perfectly describes the lush and lovely region surrounding of this tiny, eponymous village. It is a place of craggy peaks, secret beaches and temperate rain forest, where giant podocarpus yellowwoods tower high above deep gorges and tranquil black-water pools.

On your bike

The existing Storms River MTB route follows the main road through the tiny Storms River Village from the Tsitsikamma Village Inn. At the national parks gate you have to fill in a permit (in the box next to the gate), before banging down the steep and winding 5km descent winding to the Storms River below. The low-water bridge is a great place for a swim but watch out for strong currents if the river is high. On the descent down the pass beware of water humps across the road; they’re not high but are steep enough to buck you off.

The climb from the river and onto the coastal bluff is a hard 2km crank, but then the gradient levels out onto the plateau. Take a sharp right and traverse the pine plantations following the MTB route markers for a few kilometres of flat riding. Don’t miss the viewpoint over the Storms River Mouth and Tsitsikamma National Park. The return trail cuts through a mature plantation and eventually rejoins the original route for the arduous 5km climb back to the trailhead. 

For anyone looking for more riding that’s also accessible to the whole family or beefed up for more time in the saddle, I’d head to the Misty Mountain Reserve, literally a stone’s throw away from Storms River Village. The best news is that three of their trails actually link up with the route described above, so you’ll get the best of both worlds.

Off the bike

Misty Mountain Reserve is the perfect spot to kick back and enjoy the many splendours and adventures this part of our coastline has to offer. Go hiking or fishing or try your hand, or should I say foot, at Wedge and Foot Golf! Be warned though… the accommodation and ocean views are fantastic, so you might just sit and stare. Storms River Village is a charming hamlet surrounded by temperate, indigenous forest and pine plantations, offering a host of adventures from tree-top canopy tours and day hikes to black-water tubing. A short drive takes you to the Garden Route National Park, amazing Storms River Mouth and start of the legendary Otter Trail. Face Adrenaline also offers the world’s highest bungee jump at Bloukrans Bridge. 

Storms River Village: 33° 58′ 25.73″ S / 23° 53′ 20.33″ E