A day in Clarens

Clarens is surrounded by the Rooiberg and Maluti mountain ranges and very close to the Golden Gate National Park. This is a quaint and cozy town. Clarens is named after the Swiss village of the same name.

Around Clarens people like to think that two memorable events occurred in 1912. The first was the establishment of Clarens - the second was the launching of the unsinkable Titanic. Tragically, the Titanic did sink and as the news flashed around the stunned world, people in Clarens could talk of nothing else. An unknown resident looked toward the nek and saw the prominent jutting rock and said, It looks like the Titanic, and that's what the rock formation has been called ever since. The Titanic stands like a sentry to welcome all who visit the village and invites them to come and experience the warm-hearted hospitality of the inhabitants.

Clarens is gifted with more trees than most other Free State towns - the fresh, light green willows and colourful blossoms of the many fruit trees are memorable sight in spring time; even as the magnificent autumn shades of the lombard poplars attract artists, photographers and nature lovers. Because of all this greenery Clarens have become the Jewel of the Free State.

A must do experience is to view game on horseback. Bokpoort Horseback adventures breed and train all their horses on the farm and they use a Western style of riding.

If adrenalin is your thing try white water rafting on the Ash River. Eight man rafts are used to tackle the grade 4 rafting experience. You can also go abseiling in the surrounding mountains.

Some of the oldest recorded dinosaur egg fossils have been discovered in the areas surrounding Clarens. Dr Gideon Groenewald offers excursions or fossil hunting expeditions. This is a four hour educational tour that is suitable for all ages and very fun for families but do make a booking well in advance.

If history is your thing go on a historical tour that will include visits to the first Boer settlement after the Great Trek, caves where women and children hid during the Anglo Boer war, Surrender Hill and many other sites. You can also go on a 20 minute walk to caves containing San Rock art.

The art and crafts shops surrounding President Square offer an array of authentic goods. You can find from candles, blankest to baked good, these shops definitely have something for everybody