Clarens - Golden Gate Highlands National Park 
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The Golden Gate Highlands National Park is best reached by way of Clarens: the road from Harrismith is not yet completely asphalt-surfaced. The road from Clarens, which runs east from the town, comes in 18km/11mi to the park and continues through it, following the valley of the Caledon River, is open throughout the year and is toll-free.
The park, one of the most attractive nature reserves in the country, lies at the foot of the Maluti Mountains. Established in 1962, it has an area of 12,000ha/30,000 ac and ranges in height between 1,892m/6,208ft and 2,770m/9,088ft. The local sandstones, variously colored by iron oxides, have been carved into bizarre shapes by erosion. The Golden Gate from which the park takes its name consists of two 100m/330ft crags flanking the road through the park which shimmer in gold at sunset.
The numerous caves in the hills were occupied in earlier days by the Bushmen, and during the Boer War sheltered many Boer families seeking to avoid the British concentration camps.
The park, one of the most attractive nature reserves in the country, lies at the foot of the Maluti Mountains. Established in 1962, it has an area of 12,000ha/30,000 ac and ranges in height between 1,892m/6,208ft and 2,770m/9,088ft. The local sandstones, variously colored by iron oxides, have been carved into bizarre shapes by erosion. The Golden Gate from which the park takes its name consists of two 100m/330ft crags flanking the road through the park which shimmer in gold at sunset.
The numerous caves in the hills were occupied in earlier days by the Bushmen, and during the Boer War sheltered many Boer families seeking to avoid the British concentration camps.
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Facilities: On-site accomodations
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