Clarens Conservancy Trails

About Clarens Conservancy Trails

Start: in and around Clarens
Finish: in and around Clarens
Duration: between 1 km and 4.5 km
Fitness: moderate to easy
Our tip: take the Mallen trail if you are in Clarens for only a day

Seven trails in and around the Free State village of Clarens, developed and maintained by the Clarens Village Conservancy. (Find out more about the conservancy here: Clarens Village Conservancy).

Kloof and Dam Walk – 1 km, roughly 1 hour:
This is part of the Kloof Mountain Trail (below) but is great for walking dogs or to stretch the legs. Head to the Kloof Dam and take the detour to the Kloof (what remains of a pine plantation dotted with sandstone cliffs, overhangs and a waterfall when it rains). To get back, walk via the Ridge Estate south of Hill Street or walk around the dam to see water birds.

Kloof Mountain Trail – 4.5 km, roughly 3 hours:
This trail has two starting points, at either the Kloof gate in Hill Street or the tennis courts in Berg Street. Prepare for a steep climb after which the path evens out onto the contour path with great views out over the village, Mount Horeb and the Malutis.

Leucosidea Trail – 2 km, roughly 1.5 hours:
Another trail past the Kloof Dam heading south, as opposed to the north easterly reach of the Kloof mountain trail. The trail is named after the oldwood (a shrub or small tree that is also called the cheche tree in Afrikaans) that grows in the kloofs and mountains around Clarens.

Mallen Walk – 1-3 km, roughly 1 hour:
Perfect for day visitors to Clarens as the views out over the village and the Malutis are excellent. There are two sections. Both start near the tennis courts in Berg Street.

Sandstone Koppie-Maluti View – 300 m, half an hour:
Start the walk at the Hill Street farm gate and head up the hill to your left. Wonderful for sunsets. For more views of the Malutis, add the Scilla trail.

Scilla Walk – 2.5 km, roughly an hour:
The blue scilla flowers in abundance from late September on the sandstone cliffs above Clarens. Start the trail at the sink-roofed reservoir on the Ridge Estate or the Hill Street t-junction.

Spruit walk – 500 m, half an hour:
This route is essentially to stretch your legs or walk the dog and wanders along the Clarens spruit past the oldwood scrubforest and through a poplar and cedar plantation. Follow the path to the Kloof.