Clarens is well known for the many hiking trails available in the area – ranging from short easy trails, ideal for an evening stroll with the family, to longer or more demanding trails for those looking to get some exercise or simply spend some time in the fresh air.
Clarens Village Nature Reserve
The trails are well marked and easily accessible from town. There is no entry charge for hikers, but mountain bikers must get biking permits – available from Clarens Xtreme at 530 Sias Oosthuizen Street. The trails are well marked and maps of the trails are available from Bibliophile, Protea Hotel, Mountain Odyssey, Old Stone Bottle Store, Maluti Footprints and The Gallery On The Square.
Hiking Trails
Scilla Walk (easy 2.4 km): The name is derived from the blue-flowering Scilla (Merwilla plumbea), a protected species found in parts of the nature reserve.
Maluti View: (700m) This trail is perfect for a late afternoon stroll and overlooks the Maluti Mountan Range. Ideal vantage point to watch the sun set.
Kloof Mountain Trail (moderate: 3.4km) There is some initial climbing but the path across the summit is relatively easy, whilst the lower contour path is slightly more challenging. Stunning views.
Kloof Dam Walk (easy: 1,2 km) The Kloof Dam is a popular fishing and swimming spot for locals. This easy walk continues past the dam to the Kloof where there is a pretty waterfall in summer.
Leucosidea Trail (easy: 2.2km) An easy walk past the Kloof dam and surrounds. An abundance of spring and summer flowering plants occur in this area.
Mallen Walk (moderately easy: 1,1km) The Mallen walk involves some initial climbing followed by an almost level contour path. Recommended walk for day visitors. The trail joins both the Kloof Mountain Trail and the Spruit walk, making for easy further exploration.
Spruit Walk (easy: 2,5km) This popular walk follows the Clarens spruit through ouhout scrub forest, Lombardy poplar and cypress plantations all the way to the Kloof dam.
Porcupine Trail (easy: 3.5km) A looping trail which connects the Leucosidea and Kloof Mountain Trails. Enjoy sandstone outcrops and overhangs, open grassland and a wide variety of birdlife.
Titanic Walk (moderate: 2km) An easy walk until you get to the final climb – which is not recommended for inexperienced hikers. Good views of Titanic and the surrounding area.
Sky Contour Path: (3.4km) Ideal for the energtic and enthusiastic. (2 hours)
Caracal Contour (5.2km) The vistas are simply stunning.
Highly recommended: Go on a guided tour with the Clarens Village Nature Reserve Rangers:
These trails are maintained by The Clarens Village Conservancy.
Mount Horeb (Clarens Mountain Estate)
There is a hiking trail that starts right in the Estate and leads up to Smiley Face, which- as the name may suggest- is a large smiley face painted on the side of Mount Horeb by an anonymous artist.
From Smiley Face, another hiking trail leads up to the the summit of Mount Horeb.
At the top of Mount Horeb, there is a Trig Beacon and visitors book. The magnificent view includes: Fouriesburg, Clarens, and vast parts of the Golden Gate Highlands National Park.
Once you make it to the top be sure to sign the visitors book. Click here to watch the video
Rebellie Game Farm
Test your fitness by challenging the mountain slopes to the top where you will meet up with the 4×4 trail. Be sure to take water and/or refreshments as this is serious climbing! The lower 4 x 4 trail leads to the kloof and a lovely picnic spot under the willows. Relax – enjoy and escape from reality beside the chattering mountain stream. Help yourself to a drink from the uncontaminated spring water, originating high in the mountain. Hikers are welcome to visit Rebellie Game Farm at any time, but there is a small fee for day visitors. Contact details
St Fort
For those who love to explore, St Fort offers four expertly laid out hiking trails.
Cannibal Trail: For the more adventurous, this trail has sleep-over facilities in a the cave, complete with historic rock art. For a brisk morning or afternoon walk, there are three shorter trails:The Mushroom Rock Trail,
The Batwing Falls Trail and
The Kloof Trail.
All these trails take you through differing landscapes, from breathtaking mountain views, overhang caves, to river walks with numerous picnic spots, forest ambles and boulder hopping, in and along, gorges. The trails are well marked and provide all the amenities a hiker demands, from comfortable bedding, ablutions with flush toilets and hot showers as well as a reed enclosure with braai facilities. …….More information
Bokpoort
Hikers can choose from a range of day hikes ranging from 5 – 34 kms or alternatively challenge themselves to the 2-day hike along the highlands and shimmering mountain streams. You choose how long you want to hike for and the degree of difficulty. Contact details
Schaapplaats
Bushman Paintings and Mountain walk: I can’t think of a better way to start the day than taking an early morning walk to the cave at Schaapplaats. But before you go – remember to phone Christine Walwyn on (058) 256 1176 or 083 630 3713 to warn her that you are coming. Schaapplaats is, after all, a working stud farm, and so it’s very important that the workers keep certain gates locked and that everyone knows exactly who is where on the farm. There is also an entrance fee of R50 which goes towards the upkeep of the trail and the safeguarding of the Bushman paintings…. Read more
Golden Gate Highlands National Park
Choice of various hikes ranging from a 45 minute walk to the 2 day Rhebok Hiking Trail. Collect your hiking map at the Glen Reenen Reception area before you set off. We also recommend you visit The Solitary Ecologist website for full details, maps, and stunning photographs of the trails.
Cathedral Cave Hike : Duration 4 Hours Guided Hike with a low difficulty grading. Booking essential.
Wodehouse Hike: Duration ± 4 Hours Unguided Hike with a high degree of difficulty. Click here for map (.kml file), gradients, and photographs from The Solitary Ecologist.
Mushroom Rock Hike : Duration ± 1 Hr. Unguided hike with a low level of difficulty. Suitable for young children. Click here for map (.kml file), gradients, and photographs from The Solitary Ecologist.
Echo-Ravine Hike: Duration ± 1 Hr. Unguided with a medium level of difficulty. Suitable for Children. Click here for map (.kml file), gradients, and photographs from The Solitary Ecologist.
Boskloof Hike: Duration ± 1 Hr. Unguided with a medium level of difficulty. Click here for map (.klm file), gradients and photographs from The Solitary Ecologist.
Holkrans Hike: Duration ± 1 Hr. Unguided Hike with an easy to medium level of difficulty. Click here for map (.klm file), gradients and photographs from The Solitary Ecologist.
Brandwag Rock Hike: Duration ± 1 Hr. Unguided loop hike, suitable for accompanied children with medium degree of difficulty. This hike has a chain to help with a steep accent. Click here for map (.klm file), gradients and photographs from The Solitary Ecologist.
Rhebok Overnight Trail: Unguided with an easy start and a challenging second day. Includes: Rustic Hut, donkey shower, mattresses, fire wood and coal
stove. Bring your own cooking facilities, food, utensils and sleeping bags.Distance: 31 km Booking is essential: To book phone: (058) 255 0951. This hike has a chain to help with a steep accent. Click here for map (.klm file), gradients and photographs from The Solitary Ecologist.
Basotho Cultural Village – Matlakeng Herbal Trail
“Kgotso” we greet you in peace
Matlakeng Herbal Trail – The trail starts at 9h00 The Basotho Cultural Village. An ngaka (traditional healer) escorts groups on a scenic 2 hour trail, all the while locating an array of grasses, roots, herbs, leaves and bark and explaining how these are prepared and used to cure ailments from toothache to sexually transmitted diseases, as well as their ritual uses in Basutho Culture. Hikers can also expect to see wild-life, and also some well-kept rock art.
The herb trail is only open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, during the Spring and Summer months, and must be booked 2 days in advance.
For more information phone: 058 721 0300
Sentinel/Tugela Falls Hike
Stand at over 3000 meters above sea level and take in the view.
The day hike (13km) starts at the Witsieshoek car park (Qua Qua). (Be warned, the last section of road from Phuthaditjhaba to the Witsieshoek Sentinel carpark is very rough) and takes you to the edge of the Amphitheatre via two chain ladders, to the Tugela waterfall. Hikers must be sure that they are well prepared for all weather conditions before starting off: the weather can change extremely quickly and one can go from full sunshine to misty conditions and even snow in a matter of minutes.
Maluti Tours: (full day) tour starting in Clarens. Variations (eg. over-night at the top) can be arranged. Contact details
Clarens Xtreme: (full day) tour starting in Clarens. Contact details
Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge: To book a guide email info@witsieshoek.co.za or phone: 058 7136361 (Advance booking is essential.)
Footprints Hiking Club: Lots of info and directions to routes and experiences all over South Africa CLICK HERE
Author: Craig Walters
Editor and explorer of all the News that's fit to print!
