Eastern Highlands (Thabo Mofutsanyana District)

Includes: Arlington, Bethlehem, Clarens, Clocolan, Cornelia, Excelsior, Ficksburg, Fouriesburg, Harrismith, Hobhouse, Kestell, Ladybrand, Lindley, Marquard, Memel, Paul Roux, Petrus Steyn, Phuthadijhaba / Qwa Qwa, Reitz, Rosendal, Senekal, Steynsrus, Tweespruit, Vrede, Warden.

One of the more scenic areas of the Free State, the Eastern Highlands is at the foothills of the majestic Maluti Mountains of Lesotho.  Many of the cliffs are made of sandstone - and many of the regions churches and farmhouses are built of these glowing bricks. 

The popular Golden Gate Highlands National Park with its distinctive yellow cliffs.

Reitz is one of the main towns of the area and all the locals congregate at the annual BielieMielie Festival every February. (Since 1980). Another major and longest-running festival is the annual Cherry Festival at Ficksburg every November (over 40 years).

It's an area for poets and artists, where fly fishermen test their skills, and hikers, adventurers and nature lovers breathe in the crisp, clear outdoors.

Top 10 Attractions:

• Golden Gate Highlands National Park
• Basotho Cultural Village at Qwa-Qwa
• Wolhuterskop Nature Reserve, near Bethlehem
• San Rock art (27 farms near Fouriesburg)
• Sandstone NG Church at Kestell                                                                               The historical NG Kerk, Kestell
  
• Marquard Mountain Bike trails
• Artistic haven of Clarens
• Witsieshoek Mountain Resert
• Sterkfontein Dam (near Harrismith)
• Seekoeivlei Nature Reserve near Memel, bird-watching mecca.

For more info, visit Explore Free State