Holkrans Hiking Trail — Attraction in Dihlabeng Local Municipality

Holkrans Hiking Trail, Clarens - NOT FOR SMALL CHILDREN!

If you’re an adventurous hiker with some experience under your belt, Holkrans Hiking Trail in Clarens is an absolute must-see. Tucked away behind a hotel gate, the trailhead is a bit unconventional—you’ll need to stop at a nearby petrol station to purchase a permit (R70 per person), but the small fee is well worth it. The money goes toward preserving the national park, and given the stunning natural beauty on offer, it’s a fair trade.

The trail starts off gently, with a flat and scenic walk punctuated by charming motivational signs that help set an enthusiastic tone. But don’t let the peaceful beginning fool you—things escalate quickly once you reach the steep steps leading to the first cave. At this point, the trail becomes physically demanding and at times even dangerous. One particularly narrow, slippery section with minimal support rails forced us into a cautious “bum-shuffle” across a precarious ledge. This part of the hike is not suitable for small children or those without proper hiking experience.

Although advertised as a 3km, one-hour hike, it took us nearly two hours due to the tricky, often slippery terrain and our cautious pace. Some areas were slightly overgrown, and the descent was especially difficult, feeling steeper and more hazardous than the climb up.

Despite the challenges, the views from the caves are absolutely breathtaking. The reward at the top justifies every strenuous step and careful foothold. We were also intrigued by the abundance of animal droppings along the trail and spotted some baboons across a ravine early on—thankfully, they kept their distance.

In hindsight, we wish we had come more prepared—with hiking sticks, proper footwear, and a clearer idea of the trail’s difficulty.

Final Verdict: This trail is a hidden gem, offering stunning views and a sense of real adventure. But it’s not for the faint-hearted. Come well-prepared, wear good hiking shoes, and leave the little ones at home. We’d absolutely do it again—with a bit more gear and a lot...

Fantastic short hike. You enter the Golden Gate Hotel, park and check in at reception, where you'll get a map of the area showing various hiking routes with approx total distance. From there last minute toilet breaks for everyone and kiddies. Start of hiking trail is clearly marked. You need to move back out of reception, just past where you parked to start your adventure. There are multiple beautiful caves to explore during your journey, peppered along the easy to follow route. Most of the hike is fairly easy going, with the only tricky part that of the first ladder that you have to climb. Lots of 'Echo Echo' opportunities there! There are other ladders that you need to climb if you choose to explore the other caves. Total time for the circular route when we arrived back at the cars was just under 2 hours. This included exploring all the caves and eating lunch (padkos) at the half way mark. Most...

Embark on a journey through time and nature at the Golden Gate National Park, where breathtaking beauty meets ancient history dating back to the Triassic period of the dinosaurs!

Our Eastern Free State Holiday began with a mesmerising adventure along the Holkrans Trail, an epic hike that took us deep into the heart of the National Park. As we set out on Day 1, the late afternoon sun cast a golden glow, illuminating the towering sandstone cliffs and mysterious caves, leaving us in awe of the sheer magnificence of this landscape.

The Holkrans Trail may be short, but its impact is truly epic. It’s a journey of discovery, where the beauty of nature and the echoes of history converge to create an...