If you're planning to visit the Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park over the next two weeks, you'll need to adjust your itinerary. One of the Garden Route's most popular attractions, the famous Storms River Suspension Bridge, will be completely closed from 20 July to 31 July 2026 while the final phase of refurbishment is completed.
The good news is that the project is now entering its final stretch. SANParks expects the upgraded bridges to reopen to visitors on 01 August 2026, earlier than previously anticipated.
What will be closed?
During the closure, visitors will not be able to access any of the three suspension bridges at Storms River Mouth.
The temporary closure is necessary to allow contractors to safely complete the remaining refurbishment work. For safety reasons, access to the suspension bridge trail will not be possible while construction crews are on site.
Good news for August visitors
There is a silver lining for anyone visiting later in the winter season. Earlier project timelines suggested the refurbishment would continue until the end of August, but the work has progressed faster than expected.
If everything stays on schedule, the bridge will reopen on 01 August 2026, allowing visitors to once again enjoy one of South Africa's most photographed coastal walks.
Can you still visit Tsitsikamma?
Yes. Although the suspension bridge will be inaccessible during the closure period, the Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park remains open.
Travellers can still enjoy many of the area's other highlights, including:
- The spectacular indigenous forests.
- Scenic coastal viewpoints.
- Hiking trails that remain open outside the closed bridge section.
- The Storms River Mouth Rest Camp.
- Activities such as kayaking, lilo adventures and nearby zipline experiences (subject to operator schedules).
If seeing the suspension bridge is the main reason for your visit, it is worth postponing your trip until after 01 August 2026.
About the Tsitsikamma Suspension Bridges
The Storms River Suspension Bridge is among the Garden Route's most iconic landmarks. The three pedestrian bridges that actually make the Storms River Suspension Bridge span the dramatic mouth of the Storms River, where towering cliffs meet the Indian Ocean.
The short walk to the bridge is one of the park's signature experiences, offering spectacular coastal scenery, crashing waves and excellent opportunities to spot seabirds, dolphins and, during the migration season, even southern right whales offshore.
The refurbishment project will help preserve this much-loved attraction for years to come while improving visitor safety.
Traveller's tip
If you're driving the Garden Route in late July, consider spending extra time exploring nearby attractions such as Nature's Valley, Bloukrans Bridge, the Storms River village or Robberg Nature Reserve before returning to Tsitsikamma once the suspension bridges reopen.
With the reopening now expected on 01 August 2026, visitors arriving in August should once again be able to experience one of South Africa's most spectacular short walks.
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