When working for AWOL Tours, one is expected to search for an adventure when having any free time. Only a 2-hour drive from Cape Town lies Arangieskop. This circular overnight hiking trail will test a regular hiker’s endurance and is not for the faint hearted. The rugged and dramatic mountain looks like it was cut out from the Lord of the Ring’s movie. Cape Town’s hike guru Mike Lundy calls it “the mother and father of all trails in the Western Cape”.
When working for AWOL Tours, one is expected to search for an adventure when having any free time. Only a 2-hour drive from Cape Town lies Arangieskop. This circular overnight hiking trail will test a regular hiker’s endurance and is not for the faint hearted. The rugged and dramatic mountain looks like it was cut out from the Lord of the Ring’s movie. Cape Town’s hike guru Mike Lundy calls it “the mother and father of all trails in the Western Cape”.
When working for AWOL Tours, one is expected to search for an adventure when having any free time. Only a 2-hour drive from Cape Town lies Arangieskop. This circular overnight hiking trail will test a regular hiker’s endurance and is not for the faint hearted. The rugged and dramatic mountain looks like it was cut out from the Lord of the Ring’s movie. Cape Town’s hike guru Mike Lundy calls it “the mother and father of all trails in the Western Cape”. 
The trail starts at Dassieshoek Nature Reserve just 6 km’s from Robertson. Carrying a 10 kg backpack only made the hike more challenging. And although the hike is ‘only’ 9 km’s up – it will take at least 5.5 hours to get to the overnight hut. The trail goes up steeply most of the hike, with some welcome flatter areas. The first part of the trail is dominated with spectacular views over the Robertson Valley. When making the final stretch to the hut the hiker gets a peak over the ridge of the mountain only to be greeted by the wide skies of the Koo Valley and endless sights into the Klein Karoo. The hut feels like a 5 star accommodation (for mountain hut standards: it has a donkey boiler, electricity and excellent braai facilities).
The 2nd day starts with a short scramble to the summit of the mountain. Here, at well over 1700 meters, more unbelievable endless views over the Langeberg continue. The 11 km descent is slow and quite tricky. Upon descending, the hiker is treated to go straight through a ravine with lovely waterfalls to refresh and hike through endless fields of untouched fynbos. If the descent is started early enough one can be down on time to drive into the Robertson Valley and reward themselves at one of the many friendly and hospitable vineyards for a delicious tasting and early dinner.
For a personalized hiking experience with a twist, AWOL is able to put together a Cape trekking trip to suit fitness, time constraints and adventurous spirit
Written by Jeremy Schreiner
The trail starts at Dassieshoek Nature Reserve just 6 km’s from Robertson. Carrying a 10 kg backpack only made the hike more challenging. And although the hike is ‘only’ 9 km’s up – it will take at least 5.5 hours to get to the overnight hut. The trail goes up steeply most of the hike, with some welcome flatter areas. The first part of the trail is dominated with spectacular views over the Robertson Valley. When making the final stretch to the hut the hiker gets a peak over the ridge of the mountain only to be greeted by the wide skies of the Koo Valley and endless sights into the Klein Karoo. The hut feels like a 5 star accommodation (for mountain hut standards: it has a donkey boiler, electricity and excellent braai facilities).
The 2nd day starts with a short scramble to the summit of the mountain. Here, at well over 1700 meters, more unbelievable endless views over the Langeberg continue. The 11 km descent is slow and quite tricky. Upon descending, the hiker is treated to go straight through a ravine with lovely waterfalls to refresh and hike through endless fields of untouched fynbos. If the descent is started early enough one can be down on time to drive into the Robertson Valley and reward themselves at one of the many friendly and hospitable vineyards for a delicious tasting and early dinner.
For a personalized hiking experience with a twist, AWOL is able to put together a Cape trekking trip to suit fitness, time constraints and adventurous spirit
Written by Jeremy Schreiner
The trail starts at Dassieshoek Nature Reserve just 6 km’s from Robertson. Carrying a 10 kg backpack only made the hike more challenging. And although the hike is ‘only’ 9 km’s up – it will take at least 5.5 hours to get to the overnight hut. The trail goes up steeply most of the hike, with some welcome flatter areas. The first part of the trail is dominated with spectacular views over the Robertson Valley. When making the final stretch to the hut the hiker gets a peak over the ridge of the mountain only to be greeted by the wide skies of the Koo Valley and endless sights into the Klein Karoo. The hut feels like a 5 star accommodation (for mountain hut standards: it has a donkey boiler, electricity and excellent braai facilities).
The 2nd day starts with a short scramble to the summit of the mountain. Here, at well over 1700 meters, more unbelievable endless views over the Langeberg continue. The 11 km descent is slow and quite tricky. Upon descending, the hiker is treated to go straight through a ravine with lovely waterfalls to refresh and hike through endless fields of untouched fynbos. If the descent is started early enough one can be down on time to drive into the Robertson Valley and reward themselves at one of the many friendly and hospitable vineyards for a delicious tasting and early dinner.
For a personalized hiking experience with a twist, AWOL is able to put together a Cape trekking trip to suit fitness, time constraints and adventurous spirit
Written by Jeremy Schreiner