What to do in Clarens
Clarens and the surrounding areas offer the visitor a wealth of activities, extreme and leisure, that will suit all tastes. Everything from abseiling to art galleries is on your doorstep. The bustling village square with its wide range of shops, restaurants and eateries is just a block away from the Clarens Butterfly Villa and on the doorstep of the Rosewood Corner. We have listed a few of these places below in no particular order.
Highland Coffee Roastery is in the beautiful mountain resort town of Clarens in the Eastern Free State, South Africa.
If you are looking for a micro-roastery who take great care and pride in roasting 100% Arabica coffees to perfection in small batches. This is the place to be.
Their roastery, shop and espresso bar is situated On The Square Centre. There is ample seating and a great view. Highland Coffee Roastery is a must!
Clarens Village Conservancy was founded in May 2004 and is a non profit conservancy run by a committee and its field rangers. It is the perfect place for amazing views and tranquility.
There is water dropping from sandstone cliffs creating beautiful waterfalls, many hiking trails with beautiful views of the Blue Scilla, dams and mountains.
This is not only nature but beauty. The Clarens Village Conservancy is a place not to be missed.
Are you in the mood for something outrageous? Outrageous Adventures is just the right pick for you. These guys are experts in adventure and excitement.
Come and join them in Clarens for abseiling and white-water river rafting in the Ash river.
They also specialise in team building and corporate getaways.
Clementines Restaurant has a lot of history. Pre 1997 it was a S A Railways bus service maintenance shed and was converted into a restaurant in 1997. In 1999 the property was sold and an upmarket country dining establishment called clementines restaurant was opened.
There is a speciality bar boasting a huge selection of whiskey, gin, vodka, brandy, red and white wine.
There is also an outside area with stunning views of the mountain.
This is a very popular restaurant in Clarens and has a great ambiance and charm to it.
Highlander Restaurant is a restaurant offering a wide selection of dishes to suite everyones tastebuds.
They specialise in pizzas and organic foods. The herbs used on their foods are grown in their own monastic herb garden.
You can enjoy the tasty meals while taking in the beautiful views from the balcony.
There is also a bar where you an sit and relax while watching the latest sport.
Clarens and the surrounding areas offer the visitor a wealth of activities, extreme and leisure, that will suit all tastes. Everything from abseiling to art galleries is on your doorstep. The bustling village square with its wide range of shops, restaurants and eateries is just a block away from the villa.
Not to be missed is Highlands Coffee with its comprehensive coffee menu and home roasted beans and various blends of coffee that you’ll want to stock up on. Clarens Brewery has reached iconic status and no trip to Clarens is complete until you sit and watch the world go by while sipping on an award winning artisan local brew. The Rock Shop has a fascinating collection of crystals, minerals, fossils and jewelry. Bibliophile (Church St) is a Clarens institution. Owner Debra Stewart owns this well stocked and reasonably priced bookshop which is a must visit for any book lover. Browsers are more than welcome. The Clarens Country Market is held in the Bibliophile grounds on Saturdays and shouldn’t be missed!
At the bottom of town, in Sias Oosthuizen Street, you’ll find The Jacket Shop which stocks a wide range of imported second-hand pure down jackets for adults and kids. The best supply is early March – June, ideal for when you are caught by the quickly changing mountain temperatures and realise that you need some more layers! On the same road you will find The Base, which houses the Clarens Bakery and The Millery. Next door is Clarens Xtreme where you can indulge your adventurous spirit.
For those who love the fresh air you can enjoy the beautiful, scenic walks on your doorstep – and they are dog-friendly! The Clarens Village Conservancy (CVC) have created and maintains several hiking trails ranging from gentle strolls to more strenuous hikes. Maps of the hikes are for sale at various outlets throughout the village and the proceeds are used to help maintain the pristine status of the conservancy.
There are numerous day drives around the area. Golden Gate National Park is only 15km from Clarens and is well worth a visit. The Clarens – Fouriesburg Road is considered one of the top 10 biking routes in South Africa and has spectacular sweeping views that are a photographers dream.
A comprehensive guide, Clarens & Surrounds, the Ultimate Guide, is available as a free PDF download and is packed with invaluable information about Clarens, Fouriesburg and Bethlehem. 100 pages of restaurants, retail and accommodation info, day drives, history and geology, wedding venues, art galleries, and everything else you can think of!
There are also numerous Facebook pages and sites hosted by the Clarens community to keep you abreast of events happening in and around the area.