Golden Gate National Park

Friday morning at 10am, we headed off to the Free State, to do some hiking at the Golden Gate National Park, about 4 hours south of Johannesburg.


Been meaning to go there for a while now, so now was the chance..


We stopped just before Harrismith for some homemade sandwiches, which Ruth lovingly prepared before our departure.... Far, far better and healthier than the crap they sell at the highway stop-overs. We then drove through Harrismith on the N3 South and took the N5 West heading towards Bloemfontein. After 20mins, we took the R712 heading towards Clarens, a sleepy tourist town, full of antiques and quaint restaurants.


Before long, we entered the National Park and the Glen Reenen Rest Camp, where we were staying is only another 20mins from the gate.


We arrived at the rest camp at 14:00, a mere 4 hours from Jozi. Unpacked the car and found our 'Longdawel' as opposed to 'Rondawel'. The only difference is, is that a Longdawel has an interconnecting door to another bedroom, bathroom and kitchen, which fortunately was not occupied during our stay. Ruth was very happy with our accommodations, so we promptly set off down the road to the Main hotel to start our first hike. This hike is called 'Holkrans', which translated directly into Afrikaans means 'Hollow cliff'.....


Below is the Glen Reenen Rest Camp. Across the road from the Rondawels is the campsite. This photo was take from the top of the 'Brandwag Buttress'.
Here is a photo of the 'Brandwag Buttress'. This is the most photographed feature of the Golden Gate National Park....
Below is a kewl photo of Ruth on the hike up to 'Holkrans'.....
Ruth sitting at the base of 'Holkrans'.

On the Saturday morning, we started the 'Wodehouse' hike. This is a photo of me, taken by Ruth of me on top of Wodehouse Peak. In the background, you can see the road snaking to Clarens.

Me on the steep descent of Wodehouse Peak.

Ruth standing at the base of 'Mushroom Rock'. Earlier, we were literally walking on the lip of the 'Mushroom'. Little did we know our fate should we have slipped.....

Below is a fine shot of 'Mushroom Rock'. The area is famous for the fabulous colours of the rocks in the sunlight..

Another shot of 'Mushroom Rock' with the moon in the background.

This shot was taken from the Glen Reenen Rest Camp early Sunday morning. Hard to believe that the day before we were walking on the ridge, far in the distance.....awesome!

Ruth enjoying some breakfast on the varandah of our Longdawel.