Koedoeslaagte Trail Park:Lost, Found, and Loving It

This was a long anticipated hiking weekend with my work colleague, Cinnamon, and her husband, Bark (who does not bite… or hike).

Bougie? No. Budget? Brilliant

I booked us to sleep over at Berakah 4x4 Adventures, just outside Parys.

I’d hiked their trail with Sage recently (STUNNING — seriously, check my earlier post on it), and earmarked their accommodation for “future me.”

They do offer camping, but for just R 225 per person per night, I went for the room - a bed, shower, toilet and kitchenette.

Honestly, camping never even stood a chance.

So yes, leave your bougie at home. Berakah is rustic, relaxed, and refreshingly real. What else could one possibly need?

Getting There: Dirt Road

I had arranged for us to hike the nearby Koedoeslaagte Trail Park & Venue - another trail that had been waiting patiently on my list.

Bark, ever the enthusiastic outdoorsman (read: not at all), decided to take the “husband trail” — aka "doing his own thing somewhere with shade and a drink." 

That left Cinnamon and me to conquer the 7 km dirt road from Berakah to Koedoeslaagte. It wasn't awful.

By the time we arrived, we were treated an extremely detailed route briefing.

It was explained to me three times - patiently, clearly, and with admirable optimism.

Yet for some reason, I decided Cinnamon needed her own 30-minute map-reading masterclass… even though her sense of direction is every bit as tragic as mine.

She emerged looking confident, map in hand… which she promptly lost before we even started walking.

It’s worth mentioning that neither of us is what you’d call "directionally gifted".

So losing the map? Honestly, it just saved us the presence.

The Great Koedoeslaagte Loop (of Confusion)

We spent five and a half hours hiking, which was wonderful - except maybe for that last hour that turned into many “Didn’t we just pass this tree?” moments.

We walked in circles and argued with the map we no longer had.

At least the scenery didn’t disappoint - if you’re going to get lost, this is the place to do it.

"Romantic Interludes"

Just when we thought we might have to set up camp and start a new life in the bush, we crossed paths with a kind man in a bakkie, driving along the road after finishing the trail himself.

He pointed us straight back in the exact direction we’d come from earlier.

Turns out, we should’ve just trusted our judgment the first time.

Beauty, Beetles, and a Bit of Romance

Despite our questionable navigation skills, the trail was fabulous.

The route has a bit of everything: riverbanks, inclines, forest patches, and those mountain-top views that make you stop mid-sentence just to soak it all in.

It was also, rather unmistakably, mating season - and the locals were very enthusiastic.

Everywhere we turned, from beetles to bugs, there were "romantic interludes" happening.

There were also so many beetles and shongololos crossing the trail at one point that we needed to be careful where we stepped.

Koedoeslaagte hums with life. Every rustle, buzz, and chirp adds to the sense that you’re wandering through nature’s private symphony.

Lost, But Happy

In the end, we hiked longer than planned and got more lost than expected.

But that’s the beauty of hiking with Cinnamon — it’s never about perfect routes or precise maps. It’s about the unexpected detours and the relief when your car finally reappears like a long-lost friend.

Final Thoughts

I’d absolutely recommend this trail.

Just maybe bring your own map… and a friend with better navigation skills than Cinnamon and me.

RATINGS

Trail Information

AREA

Vredevoort Parys

COST

R 50

Trail Details

TRAIL DIFFICULTY

The inclines were steady but manageable - you knew you were climbing, but it never became “why do I do this to myself?”

The declines were friendly too; no scrambling, no tears. Just solid, scenic hiking at a comfortable pace.

TRAIL LENGTH

There are a few route options. We aimed for the 12 km trail… but thanks to our scenic detours, clocked closer to 15 km.

TRAIL MARKERS

Let’s just say they "tested our creativity.

Either they were confusing, or we were — and considering our history, the odds weren’t in our favour.

TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS

Variety, peace, views, and that mountain-top calm that feels like therapy.

WEATHER CONDITIONS TO CONSIDER

A mix of open and shaded patches. Pack water - and salt.

Always pack salt.

Preferably with the water, not instead of it.

ABLUTIONS

SAFE FREE PARKING

AMENITIES

Cycling, horse trails, and accommodation options too.

Kiosk 

WILDLIFE & BIRD LIFE

Yes, but for us, just beetles and bugs clearly enjoying spring romance season.

NOTE TO SELF

Stop pretending to understand the trail briefing — film it next time.

FAMILY FRIENDLY

Yes

PET FRIENDLY

No

ON A FINAL NOTE

Getting lost wasn’t the plan, but with good company, a dodgy sense of direction, and the distant dream of coffee at the end, who even needs a plan?

(TO)SOLO OR (NO)SOLO

Definitely (NO)SOLO