Maloti-Drakensberg Road Trip
Clarens starts things gently with galleries, food and small-town wandering. Then the sandstone grows taller and the road enters Golden Gate, where ochre cliffs catch the changing light. The trip finishes in Harrismith.
Highlights include:
- Browse Clarens Village’s galleries, studios and small shops
- Taste cherry preserves, liqueurs and fresh bakes at the Cherry Farm Stall
- Stop beneath the sandstone face of Brandwag Rock
- Drive through the high grassland and golden cliffs of Golden Gate Highlands National Park
- Learn about Basotho architecture, customs and crafts at Basotho Cultural Village
- Pause at the Golden Gate Hotel or continue to Bergview Guest House in Harrismith
South Africa road trip from Clarens to Harrismith (92 km, about 2 hours driving). Plan this trip with Sideroads Africa.
Stops along the way
- Clarens
- Clarens Village & Art Galleries: Charming mountain hamlet packed with artisan studios, craft breweries, antique shops, and local eateries.
- The Cherry Farm Stall: Famous for cherry preserves, cherry liqueurs, and fresh bakes
- Brandwag Rock: Massive golden sandstone cliff formation resembling a sentinel in Golden Gate.
- Golden Gate Highlands National Park: Nestled in the Maluti Mountains, famous for its glowing golden sandstone cliffs and high-altitude wildlife.
- Golden Gate Hotel & Chalets: Park hotel surrounded by golden sandstone cliffs
- Basotho Cultural Village: Living museum inside Golden Gate Park demonstrating traditional Basotho architecture, customs, and crafts.
- Bergview Guest House: Mountain-view guesthouse for N3 travellers through Harrismith