The Best Hiking Trails in Free State (South Africa)

377 trails

(4)

Photo of Brandwag Buttress, Boskloof, Echo Ravine and Natural Pool Loop - (Golden Gate Highlands NP - Clarens, Free State)

Photo of Cannibal trail at St Fort day 1: 9 km

Photo of Cannibal trail at St Fort. Day 2: 7 km

Show map

Brandwag Buttress, Boskloof, Echo Ravine and Natural Pool Loop - (Golden Gate Highlands NP - Clarens, Free State)

Hiking

Save to a List

near Glen Reenen, Free State (South Africa)

Chris Eady
with

Distance

6.26mi

Elevation +

2234f

TrailRank

79| 5.0

This trail at Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State is a good option if you are pressed for time and want to see a few of the park’s main natural attractions which are near to the Glen Reenen Camp and the...

Easy enough but the air is thinner than down at the coast!! Interesting scenery and the colour of the sun on the rocks i...
Maxime Yates

View trail
Cannibal trail at St Fort day 1: 9 km

Hiking

Save to a List

near Clarens, Free State (Republic of South Africa)

Grobler du Preez

Distance

7.06mi

Elevation +

2080f

TrailRank

55

The gps went haywire in the gorges and under overhanging rocks, explaining the weird lines in some places.

View trail
Cannibal trail at St Fort. Day 2: 7 km

Hiking

Save to a List

near Die Ark, Free State (Republic of South Africa)

Grobler du Preez

Distance

4.45mi

Elevation +

738f

TrailRank

51

The gps went haywire in the gorges and under overhanging rocks, explaining the weird lines in some places.

View trail
Golden Gate - Wodehouse Trail

Hiking

Save to a List

near Glen Reenen, Free State (Republic of South Africa)

Rhino and Hedgehog

Distance

8.77mi

Elevation +

3504f

TrailRank

40| 4.67

We did the complete loop while taking all the side shows including the Brandwag Buttress, Boskloof, Echo Ravine, Mushoom Rock and the Wodehouse Peak (2438 m ASL) returning via the Western Ridge. If doing all the side tra...

Awesome trail we followed when stayed in Golden Gate Hotel and charlets. The tip with counter clockwise is true. I think...
Thomasberg

View trail
Send to your GPS

Download trails from Wikiloc directly to your Garmin, Apple Watch or Suunto.
Get Wikiloc Premium Upgrade to remove Ads
Golden Gate - Wodehouse trail

Hiking

Save to a List

near Glen Reenen, Free State (Republic of South Africa)

Lee-Ann

Distance

6.61mi

Elevation +

2323f

TrailRank

32

This starts from the San Parks entrance and skips Echo Ravine. I have done this trail twice and what makes it difficult is the extreme wind one encounters heading towers the top and most of the way down.

View trail
Clarens Village Nature Reserve - Porcupine Trail and Caracal Contour

Hiking

Save to a List

near Clarens, Free State (Republic of South Africa)

Rhino and Hedgehog

Distance

4.40mi

Elevation +

515f

TrailRank

29

We combined two trails for a mornings exploring. Well worth a visit. Porcupine Trail (easy: approx 3.5km complete). Enjoy sandstone outcrops and overhangs, open grassland and a wide variety of birdlife. Caracal Con...

View trail
Cannibal D2

Hiking

Save to a List

near Die Ark, Free State (South Africa)

Botsotso Mabhalane

Distance

4.00mi

Elevation +

810f

TrailRank

27

A worthy challenge on the second day with all kinds of obstacles and varying terrain. Absolutely satisfying. You leave the cave and contour around the cul de sac, making your up the slope opposite the cave, to be greete...

View trail
Arthur's trail

Hiking

Save to a List

near Roodebloem, Free State (South Africa)

Sir Pretzel

Distance

4.40mi

Elevation +

325f

TrailRank

27

Up to the mountain, watch Zebras, Elands, Springbucks and Blue wildebeest, down to the Bluegum forest, hit the trail back alongside the dam.

View trail
Waterfall, forest and river trail - Light blue trail

Hiking

Save to a List

near Die Ark, Orange Free State (South Africa)

Craig F.

Distance

3.17mi

Elevation +

528f

TrailRank

27

A easy to moderate trail leading you to a stunning waterfall with spectacular views of Lesotho, follow the trail through a poplar forest and hug the Caledon River as you make your way back to Old Mill Drift.

View trail
White trail 11klm

Hiking

Save to a List

near Die Ark, Orange Free State (South Africa)

Craig F.

Distance

7.06mi

Elevation +

1138f

TrailRank

27

A moderate 5 hour hike that takes you around the back of Old Mill Drift. Definitely a trail for seasoned hikers who enjoy a long walk. Great view's of Lesotho as the trail hugs the Caledon river and detours through a lov...

View trail
Yellow trail, mountain contour trail.

Hiking

Save to a List

near Die Ark, Orange Free State (South Africa)

Craig F.

Distance

3.49mi

Elevation +

764f

TrailRank

26

Nice trail with great view's of Lesotho as you hug the contour of the mountain. Passing a rock pool as you make a stiff climb up the mountain initially, but the walk is beautiful and scenic.

View trail
Mountain top hike - Red trail

Hiking

Save to a List

near Die Ark, Orange Free State (South Africa)

Craig F.

Distance

4.20mi

Elevation +

1375f

TrailRank

26

This trail takes you to the top of the mountain, as you walk along the edge you have 360 degree view's of Lesotho and Old Mill Drift, the initial climb is taxing but flattens off on top of the mountain.

View trail
Cannibal D1

Hiking

Save to a List

near Clarens, Free State (South Africa)

Botsotso Mabhalane

Distance

5.07mi

Elevation +

1378f

TrailRank

24

A lovely, scenic hike of moderate difficulty, with colourful mountain sides. Absolutely stunning views of greenery from the overhang made up for all the climbs, drops amd zigzags on this trail.

View trail
Holkrans loop

Hiking

Save to a List

near Glen Reenen, Free State (Republic of South Africa)

BaronJan

Distance

1.81mi

Elevation +

833f

TrailRank

24

Starting easy from Golden gate hotel parking lot to Holkrans Kraal. Continuing over some steep ladders and bridges along the ridge leading back to the hotel. Along the way you will pass along and underneath towering rock...

View trail
Dome View Trail - Vredefort Dome area

Hiking

Save to a List

near Rooderand, Free State (South Africa)

KevLau

Distance

1.97mi

Elevation +

607f

TrailRank

23

Short hike with good views of the area. It starts at Thabela Thabeng Lodge. They charge a day rate to do the trails. They also provide a lot of info about the Vredefort Dome

View trail
Glen Reenen-natural swimming pool-Mushroom Rocks

Hiking

Save to a List

near Glen Reenen, Free State (Republic of South Africa)

Grobler du Preez

Distance

2.87mi

Elevation +

778f

TrailRank

20

Golden Gate Highlands National Park. Includes part of Woodhouse trail, but I turned back due to thunderstorm approaching

View trail
Waterfall first section

Hiking

Save to a List

near Die Ark, Orange Free State (South Africa)

Craig F.

Distance

2.95mi

Elevation +

522f

TrailRank

20

Waterfall first section, scenic hike to the waterfall, with awesome views of Lesotho. Big eagle nest on rock face 👀

View trail
Shadow walk trail - Orange trail.

Hiking

Save to a List

near Die Ark, Orange Free State (South Africa)

Craig F.

Distance

0.87mi

Elevation +

190f

TrailRank

20

Easy trail with great views of Lesotho and a nice picnic spot. Trail leeds you to a scenic area with a rock pool and through a small forest area.

View trail
Marie's trail

Hiking

Save to a List

near Roodebloem, Free State (South Africa)

Sir Pretzel

Distance

5.67mi

Elevation +

338f

TrailRank

19

A bit strenuous but very rewarding, watch a lot af various antelope, then steep down through swamp areas to a dam wall and enjoying the ice cold water, back again through swamp areas.

View trail
River, stone wall and cave trail - Blue trail

Hiking

Save to a List

near Die Ark, Orange Free State (South Africa)

Craig F.

Distance

2.85mi

Elevation +

374f

TrailRank

19

Moderate hike, scenic views along the river with a short poplar forest section before you make your way up the stone wall to the cave.

View trail
Trophy walk, via spring - pink trail

Hiking

Save to a List

near Die Ark, Orange Free State (South Africa)

Craig F.

Distance

1.51mi

Elevation +

420f

TrailRank

17

Easy walk for novice hikers with a scenic trail leading you past a natural spring and passing the odly shaped trophy rock, nice trail for pet's as you pass two streams along the way.

View trail
Brandwag Buttress

Hiking

Save to a List

near Glen Reenen, Free State (Republic of South Africa)

Anski

Distance

2.60mi

Elevation +

1096f

TrailRank

16

Easy trail - chains for the last 20m - not difficult just put there to assist - not really needed to climb up. We walked fairly slowly- can be done in an hour.

View trail
River Labyrinth

Hiking

Save to a List

near Die Ark, Orange Free State (South Africa)

yvonnemcc

Distance

1.23mi

Elevation +

131f

TrailRank

15

This short easy trail goes past our Old Mill, down to the river, to the Horse Labyrinth (25m in diameter). The Labyrinth is approx. 500 paces in and 500 paces out. Then back up to the dam wall, around the dam on the wall...

View trail
Free State Botanical garden, Bloemfontein

Hiking

Save to a List

near Cerillio, Free State (South Africa)

ki lu

Distance

2.18mi

Elevation +

276f

TrailRank

9

Lovely garden for a short hike around. Good for picknic. Restaurant seems to be closed. Toilets available. 50 rand entrance (2024)

View trail
Red trail lookout point - additional

Hiking

Save to a List

near Die Ark, Orange Free State (South Africa)

Craig F.

Distance

0.88mi

Elevation +

226f

TrailRank

9

Follow the red trail through the forest and take a left turn to the lookout point for a spectacular view of the valley. Then follow the markers back as you link back up to the red trail.

View trail