Clarens South Africa
Clarens is situated in the Clarens
Valley is in the Eastern
Free State Highlands about 20 km's from Golden
Gate, 40 km’s from Bethlehem and on the Northernmost point of Lesotho.
Clarens is known for its spectacular sandstone mountains and wonderful climate,
it is one of the most picturesque spots in South Africa and has recently been
acclaimed as having some of the best Trout Fishing waters in South Africa. Clarens
is also spectacular horse riding country, a secret that seems to be well kept
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
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)
|
Clarens Tourism Centre
Telephone: (058) 256 1542
Fax: (058) 256 1643
|
Clarens Community Tourism Forum
Telephone: (058) 256 1903
Fax: (058) 256 1903
|
Clarens Links
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