Clarens Village Conservancy

The charming village of Clarens is nestled in the Rooiberg Mountains in the Eastern Freestate. It is surrounded on three sides by the 800 hectare Clarens Nature Reserve, offering the visitor some spectacular mountain scenery. This mountain reserve is maintained by the Clarens Village Conservancy (CVC), a non-profit organisation established in 2004 and managed by resident volunteers and four field rangers, all with a love for nature. Our primary function is conserving the beautiful mountain habitat, but we have also established a network of 12 walking/hiking trails, ranging from easy to challenging, with most trails also suitable for mountain biking. The higher trails offer breathtaking views over the Little Caledon River Valley, up to the peaks in Golden Gate, and the mighty Maluti Mountains in Lesotho. We are proud about our reputation of having the best maintained trail network in the Free State, and our visitors keep coming back! Whether you are staying in a hotel, guesthouse, or your own home, you can enjoy your favourite outdoor activity right from your doorstep in Clarens. For non-members, a permit is compulsory for all activities in the Nature Reserve.