• Clarens
    Clarens

About Clarens

Clarens is a small town situated in the Thabo Mofutsanyana region of the Eastern Free State province in South Africa. It was founded in 1912 in the Maluti Mountains and shares the name of the town in Switzerland where exiled Paul Kruger spent his last days. Clarens is a farming and art community surrounded by the most beautiful nature. It is also known to have interesting rock formations of sandstone. It's a quaint arty little village, on the edge of Golden Gate National Park looking down over the Drakensberg and probably the most breathtaking mountain range of South Africa, nestled at the foot of the Majestic Malutis.

Only 3.5 hours away from Johannesburg or Durban, 3 hours from Bloemfontein you will find the village of Clarens, an artist's delight ...

Restaurants, where boerekos and high cuisine rub shoulders with pubs and bistros, Italian, German and Portuguese traditions. Beer, whiskey and gin tasting is a MUST HAVE.  The Deli's are full of local sweets and treats.  Art galleries, bookshops, hand crafts and leather workers create unique products which can be found within the quirky little shops.

Adrenaline junkies can get their fix by white-water river rafting for three hours on the dam-fed Ash River, horse riding through the mountains, zip-lining, extreme sports and numerous hiking trails. The area also boasts some of the best trout fishing. In addition Clarens has a beautifully maintained golf course on the Clarens Golf & Trout Estate and the Golden Gate National Park is only 15 km drive from the village.

Other things to do in Clarens:

  • Artist Amble & Wine Galleries
  • Bushman Paintings
  • Dinosaur Hunting Expeditions
  • Surrender Hill - Historic Anglo Boer War site
  • Titanic Rock - Peaceful place with plenty of fresh air and scenic views
  • Bent Stick Archery
     

In Clarens, the mountains around the village are part of the Clarens Village Conservancy and are protected by locally employed Rangers who help preserve the natural beauty of this area, clearing hiking paths, and most importantly, maintaining the indigenous nature of this unique area. The Conservancy Dam is a much loved "swimming pool" amongst locals and guests when the summer heat bakes the sandstone, as it's the perfect way to cool down.