Clarens is part of the scenic Highlands Route and is surrounded by mountainous splendour. The Rooiberge is the range encompassing the village, whilst further on towards the southeast, the mighty Maluti’s stand proud in shades of purple and blue. All around are the sandstone cliffs with their multi-coloured layers - this horizontal strata is a unique geological feature of the area, and is known, both here and much further afield, as the Clarens Formation.
THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND CLARENS
Walk around President Square and Main Street to visit the many arts & crafts shops
Visit The Clarens Tourist and Information Centre for a variety of interesting shops and galleries
The Arts and Crafts Centre at the top of Main Street offers antiques, weaving and art
Buy traditional blankets at Di Mezza & De Jager, on Sias Oosthuizen street
Bibliophile a special little book shop (& CD’s)
Places and activities of Interest
Titanic Rock - overlooking the entrance to Clarens
The Ash River Outfall is one of the Highlands water scheme’s view points on the Bethlehem road about 8km from Clarens
Mushroom Rock - about 5km on the Fouriesburg road.( permits needed )
Surrender Hill - a historic Anglo Boer War site about 10km on the Fouriesburg road.
Golden Gate National Park for walking and bird viewing - beautiful scenery
Qwa Qwa National Park & Basotho Cultural Village - game & bird viewing. The village shows the traditional Basotho through the years.
Bushmen paintings on Schaapplaats farm, a 20min walk. R 10.00 per person payable at the Info Centre
Dinosaur trails - speak to Gideon Groenewald at Sue’s Zoo in Market Street( tel:058 2561314 )
Visit our local butchery for fresh meat and biltong ( next to the Engen Garage as you come into town)
Sports & Leisure
Hiking - 2 trails in Clarens, Golden Gate & Hiking Club, St Fort( Permits needed )
Golf, tennis, bowls, squash
Horse riding can be enjoyed at Bokpoort, Schaapplaats, and in Golden Gate National park
4X4 trails at Rebellie and Bergwoning and or find out about the game drives offered by Bona Hantle ( ask at Info Centre ) and GNU safaris.
Mountain Biking trail at Bokpoort
Flyfishing on river and dam at Bergwoning, Craigrossie, De Molen, Groenhoek, Saaihoek, St Fort (enquire at the info centre) Bass fishing at the Kloof dam
Four wheeler bikes – from one hour to full day out rides on farms in the area
Greywing Partridge Shooting
Abseiling and Paint Ball
River rafting
Source: Courtesy Free State Tourism -
http://www.dteea.fs.gov.za/
