Golden Gate National Park is the best place to go hiking in the Free State. There are various trails to choose from that is suitable for young and old. Situated on the foothills of the Maluti mountains, here you’ll see some wildlife, wildflowers and stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
It is only a 3 hour drive from Johannesburg and is the perfect weekend getaway trip.
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Hike information
You’ll need to purchase a permit for these trails. Luckily, the permit is for the whole day, and you can combine trails and drive the short loops with the permit.
The permit is R60 pp (2022) and is payable at the information centre located at the Total Garage (GPS Coordinates). The Total garage is also at the Glen Reenen Camp and Chalets. You’ll receive a map of all the trails when you purchase the permit.
The different hikes
As I’ve mentioned, there are so many trails to choose from, the most favourite one being the Echo Ravine trail. Most of the trails start across from the information centre. From here you cross the river bridge and make your way to the first sign showing the different hiking trails.
Here is a list of all the trails at the National Park:
Muschroom Rock Trail
After crossing the bridge, you continue straight until the trail splits up in two. Continue to the right, to make your way to the Mushroom Rock. This is a short and very easy walk that’ll take you 30 to 45 minutes. The mushroom rock stands tall among the other mountains and is easily distinguished for its red colour. There are multiple ‘dripping walls‘ where the water drips from the top after a good rainy season.
Echo Ravine Trail
The most favourite trail in the Park, and once you get to the end you’ll understand why! This is considered to be a moderate trail as it tends to get slippery during the rainy season. When you get to the split at the start of the trails, make your way to the left and continue through the forestry trail that’ll lead you to a dead end at the Ravine. This trail will take about 30 to 45 minutes to complete.
Brandwag Buttress Trail
Also a popular trail that will take about 1 hour to complete. This moderate loop trail does have a bit of an incline as you head up the mountain. There is a chain to assist you as you continue up the mountain. You can start the trail at the Glen Reenen camp and end at Golden Gate Hotel, or vice versa. It is a short walk from the Golden Gate Hotel back to the information centre.
Wodehouse Peak Trail
If you are looking for a longer trail, this would be the one for you! It is an easy to moderate hike that will take about 4 hours to complete. You’ll also see some wildlife along the trail which is a highlight on the trail. This trail continues to the left, and around the mountain and up the mountain. Do start the trail early in the morning, as it can get hot and there is not much shade on the trail.
Cathedral Cave Trail
This trail can only be done with a guide and it is important that you book this trail in advance. You can book this at the information centre (or call them) at least two days in advance. A minimum of 5 people is needed for this hike and it will cost R150 pp (2022).
Remember to take your swimming costume with, as there is a spot to take a dip when you get to the cave. Just note that the water is VERY cold and this trail is only available from December to October.
Boskloof Hike
The Boskloof trail is usually combined with the Echo Ravine trail. This trail will take about 1 hour to complete and is seen as easy to moderate.
Holkrans Trail
The Holkrans trail is located behind the Golden Gate Hotel Chalets and is an easy 1 hour loop trail. Make your way up the wooden ladder to the shallow rock face.
Combine Trails
We had quite a busy day before, hiking the Amphitheater trail in the Drakensberg and were planning on doing a hike at the Clarens Nature Reserve the following day. So we could not get to all the trails, but still opted for the favourite ones.
We started to the right with the Mushroom Rock trail and then continued with the Echo Ravine trail and ended it with the Brandwag Buttress Trail. This took us about two and a half hours and I think we got to see the best of the park.
However, if you do have the time, I would suggest doing some of the other trails as well.
It’s so beautiful, all the footage! And also to see my children out in the world, doing what they love.
Mme
Yay! So bly Mme geniet dit.