Golden Gate 15km Loop

Golden Gate Highlands National Park is one of South Africa’s most visually dramatic national parks — a highland landscape of golden sandstone cliffs, dark dolerite caves, crystal clear mountain streams and open grassland plateaus straddling the Maluti Mountains in the eastern Free State. The 15km MTB loop is the park’s introductory trail, and even this shorter option delivers the full Golden Gate experience.

What to Expect

Singletrack and gravel tracks wind through the park’s highland terrain below the iconic sandstone cliffs. The riding is intermediate — moderate climbing on compacted dirt with rocky sandstone sections requiring some technical attention. Wildlife encounters are likely — eland, blesbok, black wildebeest and zebra are resident in the park, with raptors including lammergeier (bearded vulture) overhead.

Golden Gate’s Wildlife

The park is home to the endangered bearded vulture (lammergeier) — one of the few places in South Africa where this spectacular bird can be reliably spotted. Look up on the descent sections.

Getting There

Take the R712 from Clarens toward Phuthaditjhaba. Golden Gate National Park entrance is 15km from Clarens. GPS: -28.5189, 28.6112.

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🌐 Visit Official Trail Website →