The Best Trails in Free State (South Africa)

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

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near Glen Reenen, Free State (South Africa)

Chris Eady

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Distance: 6.26mi
Elevation +: 2234f
TrailRank: 79| 5.0

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

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

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Cannibal trail at St Fort day 1: 9 km

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near Clarens, Free State (Republic of South Africa)

Grobler du Preez

Distance: 7.06mi
Elevation +: 2080f
TrailRank: 55

Photo ofCannibal trail at St Fort day 1: 9 km

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

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Cannibal trail at St Fort. Day 2: 7 km

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

Grobler du Preez

Distance: 4.45mi
Elevation +: 738f
TrailRank: 51

Photo ofCannibal trail at St Fort. Day 2: 7 km

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

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Golden Gate - Wodehouse Trail

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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

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Golden Gate - Wodehouse trail

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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.

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2017 Wilge marathon

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near Frankfort, Free State (Republic of South Africa)

doppierunner

Distance: 26.49mi
Elevation +: 764f
TrailRank: 31

A pleasant run on the banks of the Wilge river. Single lap for the half and double for the full. A slight climb at the end of the lap to get from the river into the town. Except for short sections through the town, the r...

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2012 Golden Gate Half Marathon

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near Glen Reenen, Free State (South Africa)

doppierunner

Distance: 13.12mi
Elevation +: 1532f
TrailRank: 30

The race is run on tar through the Golden Gate park. All of the big climbs are in the first half of the race. There are scenic views along the whole route. The majority of the time is spent above 2000m. Most of the wate...

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Clarens Village Nature Reserve - Porcupine Trail and Caracal Contour

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near Clarens, Free State (Republic of South Africa)

Rhino and Hedgehog

Distance: 4.40mi
Elevation +: 515f
TrailRank: 29

Photo ofClarens Village Nature Reserve - Porcupine Trail and Caracal Contour

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...

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Cannibal D2

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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...

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Botshabelo Free state.

Enduro Motorcycle

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near Botshabelo H, Free State (South Africa)

Andrew41260

Distance: 23.13mi
Elevation +: 1119f
TrailRank: 27

Moonlight loop , Fun Sunday ride with buddy’s , just remember your knee and elbow protection. Safe parking and easy access to local shop’s.

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Arthur's trail

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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.

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Waterfall, forest and river trail - Light blue trail

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near Die Ark, Orange Free State (South Africa)

Craig F.

Distance: 3.17mi
Elevation +: 528f
TrailRank: 27

Photo ofWaterfall, forest and river trail - Light blue trail

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.

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White trail 11klm

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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...

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Golden Gate Challenge 2011 Day 3

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near Glen Reenen, Free State (South Africa)

doppierunner

Distance: 10.91mi
Elevation +: 2628f
TrailRank: 27

Photo ofGolden Gate Challenge 2011 Day 3

Up to the radio mast above Glen Reenen camp to see the sun rise. 4am start to the day. Ultra number 86 completed.

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Yellow trail, mountain contour trail.

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near Die Ark, Orange Free State (South Africa)

Craig F.

Distance: 3.49mi
Elevation +: 764f
TrailRank: 26

Photo ofYellow trail, mountain contour trail.

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.

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Mountain top hike - Red trail

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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.

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Cannibal D1

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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.

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Holkrans loop

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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...

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Heron Banks #parkrun

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near Roodia, Free State (Republic of South Africa)

doppierunner

Distance: 3.12mi
Elevation +: 69f
TrailRank: 24

The route is run in an anti clockwise direction. The start is downhill on a tar road but soon you end up running on a dirt road along the outskirts of the golf course. The is a short section of fairly soft sand on the "...

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38th AEL Mielie Marathon Welkom

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near Welkom, Free State (Republic of South Africa)

doppierunner

Distance: 26.53mi
Elevation +: 558f
TrailRank: 24

A marathon that takes you though the streets of Welkom and then onto the road to Odendaalsrus, You run around the town and then start back to Welkom via the Phakisa road. Fairly flat lonely running (unless you take a bud...

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Kimberley parkrun

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near Alexandersfontein Hotel, Free State (Republic of South Africa)

doppierunner

Distance: 3.12mi
Elevation +: 36f
TrailRank: 23

Flat run through the reserve. Surface not too uneven but it pays to keep your eyes on the road. Offroad running. Its quite a drive on the dirt road once you turn off the tar on the R64..

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Sasol Marathon 2012

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near Sasolburg, Free State (South Africa)

doppierunner

Distance: 26.05mi
Elevation +: 669f
TrailRank: 22

Great marathon. Worth the trip to Sasolburg. Water points excellent. Marathon number 87 completed. The extra loop on the second lap that we have done previously was taken out of the route this year. We did not seem to m...

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