The Tsitsikamma hiking teams, gather in the early dark hours of Day 4 for their morning briefing and some much-needed stretches before departing on the day’s adventure. The early trail consists of a gradual downhill which will be hiked in the dark with headlamps, reaching the Lottering River by daybreak.

Today passes through some very diverse habitat types and promises some exciting river crossings. It is a tough day’s hike over saddles and down into valleys, finally reaching the Heuningbos Hut.

It’s a slow climb up Rushes Pass, but stopping for a break near the summit, the hiker can truly appreciate the majestic scenery overlooking the Tsitsikamma valleys.

The Heuningbos indigenous forest has many hidden secrets awaiting hikers further ahead. After the final descent towards Heuningbos Hut, the Kleinbos River must be crossed twice before reaching the day’s final destination. At times it can feel like an endless trail but the hut seen in the distance is an encouraging sight. Heuningbos Hut provides rolling vistas of mountains, sky and forest alike. What a spectacular way to end the day.

The climate of the Tsitsikamma range is extremely mild, with temperature variations mostly between 10 °C and 25 °C generally and rainfall exceeding 1000 mm per annum, thus the region supports verdant fynbos and Afromontane temperate gallery forest habitats.