Is there anything more iconically South African than a sandstone buttress rising from golden grassland under a piercing blue highveld sky? Scenes like this inspired JH Pierneef, Hugo Naudé, WH Coetzer and the rest of the who’s who of local landscape painters – and they’ll inspire you, should you decide to venture out from Clarens on your road or gravel bike.

Clarens has plenty of mountain-bike trails close to town, but if you want to see more of the countryside – Golden Gate Highlands National Park, in particular – then you’ll need skinnier tyres. 

The park has no dangerous animals, and the tarred R712 is a public-access road, so it’s easy to explore. For a chilled road ride with gorgeous scenery, head east out of town to Glen Reenen rest camp and back. You can grab a coffee and something to eat at the rest camp, and there are some tarred loops in that area too, if you want to link up some extra climbing. 

You’re looking at a minimum distance of about 45km with around 700m of climbing, if you just go to Glen Reenen and back; if you ride some of the loops around Glen Reenen you can extend your ride to about 60km, with just over 1 000m of climbing.

But the best route from town requires gravel rubber. This time, head north on the gentle climb out of town along the R712; then turn right shortly after the summit, onto one of the most satisfying dirt roads in the district. 

It hugs the northern edge of the national park for about 35km, before you turn south through the park and link up with the tarred R712. You can pull in at Glen Reenen for a breather, then follow the tar back to Clarens. You’re looking at about 86km and 1 300m of pure Free State vibes – set aside the whole morning to experience it properly. 

If you’re after a more formal riding experience, two of the country’s most loved events take place in this neck of the woods. The first stage of the Old Mutual go2sea takes riders along many of the gravel roads described above, from Clarens to the banks of the Sterkfontein Dam. 

Then there’s the Cannondale Maluti Double 90. Like the Double Century in Swellendam, the Double 90 is a team time trial over 180km – a big, beautiful loop starting and ending in Clarens, via Bethlehem, Kestell and a final section through Golden Gate. It’s a thrilling day out along fast, scenic district roads, with more than 2 000m of climbing to keep things spicy. 

No matter how you choose to experience this part of the Eastern Free State, rest assured that once you’ve ridden in the shadow of these mountains, you’ll make a plan to come back and do it again.

BIKE STUFF: CLARENS

Coffee? Clarens is full of decent coffee shops. We can recommend Highland Coffee Roastery in the centre of town. highlandcoffeeroastery.co.za 

Beer? Yes, the second-most important substance! Clarens Brewery is legendary – pull in for a post-ride Klein Caledon Lager. clarensbrewery.co.za

Need some help? Charl and Mariaan Wessels run Clarens Bike Rentals, and they also offer guided tours of the local roads and trails. Chat to them if you’re unsure of where to go. clarensbikerentals.co.za

EVENT INFO

Old Mutual go2sea: This seven-day stage race is one of the best mountain-bike events on the calendar, giving riders a real taste of rural South Africa along some of the most stunning back roads and purpose-built trails. The 2026 route is all new, from Clarens to Ballito via the Drakensberg escarpment and the KZN Midlands. 10-17 September / go2sea.co.za

Cannondale Maluti Double 90: Get your entry in soon for this 180km team time trial in the hills around Clarens. Six to twelve riders per team, one big day out. 2 May / malutidouble90.co.za 

DO IT YOURSELF

• Clarens to Glen Reenen and back (44km/701m): ridewithgps.com/routes/54275347
• Clarens into Golden Gate with some extra (60km/1 062m): ridewithgps.com/routes/52895033
• Clarens/Golden Gate gravel loop (86km/1 337m): ridewithgps.com/routes/39239143

A permit to cycle in Golden Gate costs R76 per adult; R38 per child; free with a SANParks Wild Card. Get one at the gate.

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