A tough hiking trail close to Cape Town
The Arangieskop hiking trail
The Arangieskop hiking trail is a 2 day hiking trail found in the Robertson area which is about a 2 hour drive from Cape Town. It is quite a tough hike but with spectacular scenary and one of the most beautiful overnight huts in the Western Cape.
Day 1. Although only covering a distance of about 10km can take you 8 to 9 hours to complete. The day begins with a steady 2 hour climb through pristine fynbos with views of the town of Robertson opening up behind you. The path then drops into a ravine and follows a stream for a small way before beginnning a relentless zig zag climb up for about 2km.

Dropping into the ravine before the steep climb
When you do reach the overnut hut it is well worth the effort. Built into the rock face it has amazing views over the entire valley and has many unexpected modern conveniences such as a donkey boiler for hot showers and flushing toilets!

Views of the Robertson valley unfold behind you
The only slight negative thing about the hut is that you might be visited by a trailor load of tourists who have paid to be towed up the hill by the local farmer and his tractor. For this reason I would recommend enjoying the day and aiming to arrive at the hut in the late afternoon.

It is possible your peace is disturbed by a trailor full of tourists
Day 2 is also a very tough day. Do not be fooled by the idea that because the route is mainly downhill it will be easier! You start with a short steep climb up the Dassieshoek peak and then follow a clear steep path down into a beautiful ravine. There is some shade offered by some magnificent old rooiels trees and a possibility of a swim throughout the year at a swimming hole as you cross the river at the bottom of the ravine.
After your swim a another steep (but relatively short) climb, the path enters a wide valley and leads you back to the start of the trail.

The hut offers welcome relief after a long day
For more information on this trail and other trails in the Western Cape or contact us