Just 3 hours away from Johannesburg and Durban, Clarens is a charming getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life. Visitors to Clarens are genuinely spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation options. We take a look at some of the best places to stay when visiting the town.
Kiara Lodge
Kiara Lodge is upmarket accommodation tucked between the magnificent Maluti Mountains and the Golden Gate Reserve in Clarens – a resort town in Free State province, South Africa.
The position of the lodge makes it easier for guests to have full access to the surrounding beautiful sceneries. The lodge is a good place for travellers and tourists who wish to spend their time away from the busy life in noisy towns.
Kiara Lodge is located in a quiet place which is a 14-minute drive from Clarens. Guests can enjoy a number of activities at this stunning place such as an outdoor swimming pool, spa and wellness centre, and a children’s playground.
The spacious lodge features a total of 13 apartments, making it possible for a group of families to travel together without fear of accommodation problems. Topping to the list of items that every traveller, who is away from the comfort of their homes, would love to see is a fully prepared kitchens, lounges with selected DStv, and daily housekeeping, apart from Sundays and public holidays. Adding to this list is a swimming pool, a restaurant, children’s play areas, and parking on the premises.
Ridge Road Country House
Ridge Road Country House is a French-style farmhouse perched high on a sandstone ridge overlooking a stream and small dam, nine kilometres from Clarens. It’s surrounded by 28 hectares of indigenous grassland and is a perfect country escape with six bedrooms (sleeps 12). All have crisp, white 100 per cent cotton percale linen, electric blankets and wall heaters. The brand-new cottage nearby is just as trendy (sleeps 6).
Lexi’s Quirky Cottage
Lexi’s Quirky Cottage is one of four accommodation options at Roodepoort Farm ‒ the views down the valley from the bathtub through enormous glass panes is a favourite. The two-sleeper self-catering cabin is 15 kilometres away from Clarens on a dirt road (fine for sedans), and there are complimentary rusks ready to be dunked.
Fairview Estates
Fairview Estates is the furthest from Clarens and a favourite farm-stay for many who visit. Twin Towers is a converted grain silo that looks onto grazing alpacas, while Damn Caravan, a more intimate four-sleeper park home, rests beside a dam. Both have gorgeous decor and are great value at R380 per person and R350 per person, respectively.
Plan a Golden Gate Highlands hike near Clarens with a trail-by-trail guide to short walks, longer routes, mountain weather, safety, packing and places to stay.
Brandwag Buttress is a short, steep and spectacular hike in Golden Gate Highlands National Park near Clarens, with a chain-assisted climb and enormous sandstone views.
Clarens has a way of making winter feel like something you should lean into, not escape. Crisp mountain air by day, fireplaces and good food by night — here is why a Clarens winter break is worth it.
Clarens can be a rewarding destination for travellers with mobility, vision, hearing or sensory access needs when the trip is planned around confirmed information rather than assumptions. The village, mountain setting and changing weather make advance communication especially useful.
Clarens offers wedding settings shaped by sandstone architecture, mountain horizons, open grasslands and the changing character of the Eastern Free State seasons. Whether you imagine a small gathering beside water or a formal indoor celebration, careful planning will help your day feel relaxed, personal and prepared for local conditions.
Golf in Clarens offers a memorable blend of country-course character and wide Eastern Free State scenery. At Clarens Golf Estate, an 18-hole layout unfolds in a valley beneath sandstone mountain views, making the setting as rewarding as the round itself.
The sandstone landscapes around Clarens hold remarkable clues to life from deep geological time, including ancient trackways, bones, teeth and plant impressions. A guided dinosaur or fossil-focused outing is one of the best ways to understand these fragile discoveries while experiencing the Eastern Free State’s dramatic terrain.
Clarens is a rewarding place to eat slowly, with country cooking, mountain air and a strong connection to Free State farm produce. From a quick bakery stop to a long lunch, the village offers flavours that suit both practical travellers and unhurried weekenders.
Horse riding is a memorable way to experience Clarens and the wider Eastern Free State at an unhurried pace. Guided rides can take in open grassland, sandstone scenery and mountain foothills, with options that may suit first-time riders as well as confident horse people.
Golden Gate Highlands National Park is an easy and memorable day trip from Clarens, where glowing sandstone cliffs rise above open mountain grassland. This practical guide helps you plan scenic drives, walks, wildlife viewing and a responsible visit in every season.
Angel’s Wing is a scenic overnight hiking concept in the sandstone country near Clarens and Golden Gate. It combines a relatively moderate day walk with the appeal of sleeping in a simple mountain hut and carrying a lighter pack.
Bergwoning offers a scenic 4x4 escape in the mountains near Clarens, with routes that combine wide-open views, river crossings and technical terrain. It is a worthwhile outing for properly prepared drivers who want to experience the rugged side of the Eastern Free State.
