Clarens South Africa

You may wonder how the name of “Clarens” came into being:  President Paul Kruger spent his last days as a voluntary exile in the attractive village of Clarens in Switzerland and Clarens was thus a very apt name for this mountainous village in the Eastern Free State. 

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 as the Clarens formation. Many homes in the Clarens Valley are made from Clarens Sandstone.

 The village has become know as the “Jewel of the Free State” - rich in beauty, with an aura of peace and tranquillity.  Clarens is endowed with more trees than most other Free State towns - the fresh, light green willows and colourful blossoms of the many fruit trees are an unforgettable sight in spring time; whilst the magnificent autumn shades of the lombard poplars attract artists, photographers and nature lovers.  The town is known for the many Art and Craft shops which offer the visitor a wide range of curios and original artwork.  Another feature which adds to the picturesque atmosphere of the village is the many sandstone buildings.  The popular Golden Gate National Park is located in the near vicinity of Clarens, and the area attracts many visitors.

Accommodation in and around Clarens

• Accommodation in and around Clarens
  

Scenery and Places of interest around Clarens

• Titanic Rock - overlooking the entrance to Clarens
• Clarens Museum on the square
• Mushroom Rock - about 3km out of Clarens on the Fouriesburg Road
• Surrender Hill - a historic Anglo Boer site about 10 km on the Fouriesburg Road
• Golden Gate National Park for walking and bird viewing - beautiful scenery
• Qwa Qwa National Park and Basotho Cultural village - game and bird viewing.
  The village shows the traditional Basotho through the years.
• Bushmen paintings at Kiara Lodge (only known bushman painting of a dassie) and Schaapplaats farm, a 20min walk. Enquire at the  Info Centre.
• Fertility caves - Fouriesburg road
• Dinosaur trails - speak to Gideon Groenewald at Sue's Zoo in Market Street.

Sports and Leisure

• Absailing - 35m and 90m (highest in Free State) - Berwoning tel:(058) 256-1181
• Bass fishing at Kloof dam.
• Clay Pigeon shooting - St Fort and Bergwoning
• Climbing wall - Bergwoning
• Fly-fishing - any Clarens resident will tell you - 'the best fly-fishing in the country'
• Four wheeler bikes - from one hour to full day out rides on farms in the area.
• Golf, tennis, bowls, squash. (Contact Info Office at Tourism centre for details)
• Greywing partridge shooting
• Horse Riding can be enjoyed at Bokpoort, De Ark, Schaapplaats, Golden Gate and in Clarens
• 4 X 4 Trails at Bergwoning, Bokpoort, Rebellie and Caledon Estates.
• Swimming - Kiara Lodge, Maluti Mountain Lodge

Arts, Crafts, Galleries and Shops

• Art excursions and painting getaways
• The Post House Corner - Addy Hoyle Gallery, The Postman's shoe, Groundcover - shoes and clothing, Rodin's gemstones, crystals and fossils
• Clarens has no less than 14 Art Galleries (at last count)
• Walk around President Square and Main Street to visit the many arts and crafts shops
• The Arts and Crafts Centre at the top of Main Street offers antiques, weaving and art
• Traditional blankets at Di Mezza & De Jager on Sias Oosthuizen street (shop from a bygone era)
• Bibliophile, a special little book shop (and CD's)