The Suspension Bridge in Tsitsikamma National Park is one of our favourite places to visit on the Garden Route.
The setting is just incredible and the great news is that you can reach it on the very easy Tsitsikamma Suspension Bridge walk.
Our guide gives you all the details you need to do the Tsitsikamma suspension bridge walk as well as suggestions of other things to do in the area and places to stay.
If you are feeling energetic, you may also be able to fit in the Waterfall Hike before the walk to see the Tsitsikamma Suspension Bridge.
If you are planning your Garden Route trip and need some safari inspiration, take a look at these family-friendly Garden Route safaris orour full 2-week South Africa itinerary with kids.
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The Suspension Bridge in Tsitsikamma
The Suspension Bridge in Storms River spans the dramatically beautiful mouth of the Storms River in the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park.
There are actually three suspension bridges at the Storms River mouth: 2 smaller ones and the actual Storms River suspension bridge.
It was first built in 1969 but the bridge that you see today was commission by SanParks in 2009. It’s 77m long and sits 7m above the river mouth.
And for those wondering – yes it does sway!
Practical information for visiting the Tsitsikamma Suspension Bridge
Entrance fees: The entrance fees to the Garden Route National Park Tsitsikamma Section (correct for 2025) are R326 for foreign adults / R78 for SA Citizen. Kids under 12 are R163 and R39. The ticket is valid for 24 hours. See here for more up to date prices. You will have to complete a registration and indemnity form to enter. If you are going to be visiting more than one of the incredible National Parks in South Africa, check whether it would be cheaper for you to apply for a Wild Card.
Tsitsikamma opening times: The park gates are open from 5.30 or 6.00 depending on the time of year and close between 17.30 and 18.30. See here for times.
Tsitsikamma suspension bridge parking: You can park in the main car park near the Cattle Baron restaurant (Kareedouw Car Park) or along the roadside leading to the car park. There are parking attendants on duty.
Distance of Stormsriver Mouth Hike: the trail is a 2km boardwalk loop that takes you to the suspension bridge and back.
Time needed to complete hike: The walk should take you around 45 minutes – 1 hour in total although it can be done in less time if you don’t visit the viewpoint.
How to do the Tsitsikamma Suspension Bridge walk
Although many refer to the short walk to the Storms River suspension bridge at the Suspension Bridge walk, it’s official name is the Stormsriver Mouth Hike.
The walk starts next to the Cattle Baron restaurant (which is a lovely place for lunch) and follows a winding boardwalk through indigenous forest and past beaches to the mouth of the Storm River and down to the famous suspension bridge.
Along the way you’ll find educational boards with information on the flora and fauna of the area. There’s even an outdoor classroom to kids might like to visit.
There are a couple of beaches, one right at the start of the trail and another more secluded beach a little further along.
The first 1200m or so is very easy but the last part down towards the bridge is a little more tricky because of the number of (fairly steep) steps involved.
I can’t remember exactly how many steps are invovled but there are a lot and it is quite hard going on the way back up – particularly if you have already done the Waterfall trail.
So whilst this is a very short and easy walk for most, it may not be suitable for those with mobility issues or knee problems.
Once accross the bridge(s) you can continue on down some more steps to a small pebble beach or to the lookout point on the plateau.
On the way back, hang around on the bridge a while and watch the water sports enthusiasts below. If you have time, head to one of the beaches for a swim.
Accommodation near the Tsitsikamma Suspension Bridge
If you want to stay in the park, then take a look at the Storms River Mouth Rest Camp. It would be hard to find a campsite with a more dramatic setting and it must be incredible to drift off to sleep listening to the waves crashing against the rocky shore.
We stayed a 10-minute drive away in the cute little town of Stormsriver at the Tsitsikamma Village Inn which had a great pool area for the kids and a lovely breakfast.
Things to do near the Suspension Bridge in Tsitsikamma
The Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park is one of our favourite areas in South Africa.
There’s so much to do – especially if you love the great outdoors and are a bit of an adrenaline seeker!
Here are some other fun things to do near the Storms River suspension bridge:
- Canopy Tours high up in the treetops of the Tsitsikamma indigenous forest.
- Segway Tours
- Paddleboarding on the Storms River
- Blackwater Tubing (for kids 12+)
- Visit the Big Tree
