Free State 4×4 Trails
The 4×4 trails in the Free State offers a variety of savanna grassland, mountains and bushveld dirt roads. The Four Wheel Drivers of the Free State is well situated in the centre of South Africa. Being within a day’s drive from most other provinces, making trail variety a bonus.
For the size of the area, it can do with more trails. Therefore please contact us with more trail info, so it can be added to the Free State 4×4 Trails list. Updates of the existing trail list is also welcome. We welcome all trails; be it commercially operated paid trails, a scenic dirt road or a few bog holes… Follow this link to contact us.
Berakah 4×4 Eco Trail (Also listed under GP and NW Trails)
Closest Town/s: Parys, 14 km
Grade (1 – 5): 2 – 4
Type of Terrain: Mud, steep gradients, riverbeds, mountain tracks, rocks, sand and water crossings.
Distance: 15 km
Driving Time (estimated): 1 – 2 days
Contact: Lenie & Andre
Telephone: 082 339 9177 / 082 598 0559 / 056 818 1313
Email: lenie@berakah.co.za / andre@berakah.co.za
Website: www.berakah.co.za
BusStop & Bergwoning Guest Farm – Di Bus Stop
Closest Town/s: Clarence, 15 km
Grade (1 – 5): 2 – 3
Type of Terrain: Rocky sections, river crossings and mossy boulders
Distance: 6 km
Driving Time (estimated): 2 hours
Contact: reception
Telephone: 071 830 9998
Email: bergwoning@gmail.com
Website: https://dibusstop.co.za
De Ark Game Ranch
Closest Town/s: Clarens, 5 km
Grade (1 – 5): 2 – 3
Type of Terrain: Open Plain, Rocky, Mountainous Scenery, Scenic Drive
Distance: 6 km
Driving Time (estimated): 1 – 2 Hours
Contact: Office Desk
Telephone: 078 469 7869
Email: reservations@deark-clarens.co.za
Website: www.deark-clarens.co.za/
Didibeng Mountain Park
Closest Town/s: Fouriesburg, 10 km
Grade (1 – 5): 2 – 4
Type of Terrain: Ravines, Grasslands, Rocky Mountain Passes, Steep Inclines, loose Rocks.
Distance: 33km (4 trails)
Driving Time (estimated): 12 hours to 3 days
Contact: Fritz or Jo Kerkhoff
Telephone: 058 223 0067
Email: admin@meiringskloofpark.co.za
Website: http://www.meiringskloof.co.za/
Donkerpoort Eco Trail
Closest Town/s: Gariepdam, 10 km
Grade (1 – 5): 3 – 5
Type of Terrain: Steep Gradients, Dongas, Muddy Bogs, River Crossings, Rocky Outcrops
Distance: 20 km
Driving Time (estimated): 3 – 5 Hours
Contact: Ernie Griesel
Telephone: 082 306 9300
Email: ernie.griesel@gmail.com
Website: www.donkerpoort4x4.com/Donkerpoort
Ficksburg 4×4
Grade (1 – 5): 3 – 4
Type of Terrain: Mountain Scenery, River Crossings/Beds, Muddy Bogs, Grassy
Distance: 22 km
Driving Time (estimated): 3 – 5 Hours
Contact: Soois Gerber
Telephone: 074768963
Email: soois@ficksburg4x4.co.za
Website: www.ficksburg4x4.co.za/contact
Groenkloof 4×4 Trail
Closest Town/s: Clocolan, 27 km
Grade (1 – 5): 2 – 3
Type of Terrain: Sandstone cliffs, Grasslands
Distance: 26 and 22 km
Driving Time (estimated): 4 – 5 and 2 – 3 hours
Contact: Karin Botha
Telephone: 051 943 0174 / 082 465 9108
Email: masoepa@telkomsa.net, karin@janka.co.za
Website: n/a
Koranna Getaway
Closest Town/s: Clocolan, 26 km
Grade (1 – 5): Plateau Trail: 3; Kloof Trail: 5
Type of Terrain: Sand and Rock trails, Steep Inclines, Sharp Turns,
Distance: 2 Trails: 22 and 14km
Driving Time (estimated): 4 – 12 hours
Contact: Johan and Isa Eksteen
Telephone: 082 302 9638 / 082 449 8430
Email: eksteenj@xsinet.co.za / info@korannagetaway.com
Website: www.korannagetaway.com
Korannaberg Adventures Van Zoelenshoek (Korannaberg 4X4 trail)
Closest Town/s: Excelsior, 30 km
Grade (1 – 5): 3 – 5
Type of Terrain: Grasslands, Challenging Rocky terrain, Steep Inclines
Distance: 45km (3 Trails)
Driving Time (estimated): 8 hours – 2 days
Contact: Anorica Erasmus or Janus Franken
Telephone: 076 860 4023 / 079 603 3837
Email: koranna.adventures@gmail.com
Website: http://www.koranna.co.za/index.html
Moolmanshoek 4×4 Eco Routes
Closest Town/s: Ficksburg, 35km
Grade (1 – 5): 2 – 5
Type of Terrain: Grasslands, Swampy areas, Rocky terrain, Sandstone rock, Steep gradients.
Distance: 4 Trails of 20 km, 10 km, 8 km, 2 km
Driving Time (estimated): 4 – 5 hours, 2 – 3 hours, 2 – 3 hours, 2 hours
Contact: Willie Nel
Telephone: 051 933 2220 / 051 933 3729
Email: info@moolmanshoek.co.za
Website: http://www.moolmanshoek.co.za/
Moresonranch 4×4 Trail & Holiday Farm
Closest Town/s: Vrede, 8 km
Grade (1 – 5): 3
Type of Terrain: Grasslands, Rocky outcrops.
Distance: 20 km
Driving Time (estimated): 3 Hours
Contact: Awie Marais
Telephone: 058 913 9901
Email: info@moresonranch.co.za
Website: http://moresonranch.co.za/
Old Mill Drift 4×4 Trail (Possibly Abandoned)
Closest Town/s: Clarens & Fouriesburg, 17 km
Grade (1 – 5): 3 – 4
Type of Terrain: Compact Gravel, Rocks, Mountain slopes, Steep descends, Riverbeds
Distance: 20 km
Driving Time (estimated): 6 – 8 Hours
Contact: Frank Lozear
Telephone: 058 256 1953 / 058 256 1323
Email: lozear@gmail.com
Website: n/a
Rebellie Game Farm 4×4 Trail
Closest Town/s: Clarens, 3 km
Grade (1 – 5): 3 – 5
Type of Terrain: Mountain trail, rock climbs, steep ascents.
Distance (total): 17.5 km, or 18 km
Driving Time (estimated): 3 – 4 hours
Contact: Nic Prinsloo
Telephone: 083 627 839
Email: rebellie@mweb.co.za
Website: www.rebellie.co.za
Riverside 4×4 Trail
Closest Town/s: Kroonstad, 70km
Grade (1 – 5): 1 – 2
Type of Terrain: Sand, Rock, Mud, Water, Steep Inclines,
Distance (total): 25 km
Driving Time (estimated): 6 – 8 Hours
Contact: Hans and Althea de Vos
Telephone: 056 471 0812 / 083 444 5499
Email: orapa@act.co.za
Website: https://www.facebook.com/RiversideCarClub
Shumba 4×4 Trail
Closest Town/s: Fouriesburg, 9 km
Grade (1 – 5): 3
Type of Terrain: Mountain scenery
Distance (total): 30km; (more off farm trails on request)
Driving Time (estimated): 5 hours
Contact: Bob Armour
Telephone: 058 223 0277, 072 227 6752, 084 562 9818
Email: barmour@worldonline.co.za
Website: http://www.shumbavalleyfarm.co.za/paradise.html
Tussen die Riviere Nature Reserve
Closest Town/s: Bethulie, 15 km
Grade (1 – 5): 1 – 2
Type of Terrain: Gravel Roads, Game Drive, Plant life,
Distance (total): Up to 120 Km
Driving Time (estimated): Various
Contact: Reception
Telephone: 051 763 1000
Email: n/a
Website: n/a
Zodiac 4×4 Trails & Breakaway Trails
Closest Town/s: Rouxville, 11km
Grade (1 – 5): 3
Type of Terrain: Rock, Dongas, Mud
Distance (total): 25km
Driving Time (estimated): 1 Day
Contact: Boeije de Wet
Telephone: 073 376 7300 or 072 310 1595
Email: zodiac4x4@mweb.co.za
Website: n/a
Four Wheel Driving in the Free State
North Eastern Free State:
The 4×4 trails in the north of the province would have been a tad boring if it was not for the asteroid impact near Parys and Vredefort some 2000 million years ago. Today, the area consists of a ring of mountains and hills created during the impact, which means that the 4×4 trails in this area are frequently steep, rocky, and often challenging, if not downright difficult. Several 4×4 trails in the Parys area, for instance, include all of the elements of a good 4×4 trail; mountainous terrain, which means steep gradients with loose gravel surfaces, stretches of sandy savannah, equally sandy spots in dense bushveld, and some water crossings with both rocky and sandy bottoms.
Towards the north east, around the Memel area, the 4×4 trails are mostly in relatively wet areas, due to the wetlands here, which means lots of mud, and water crossings, however the further east one goes, the more rugged the terrain becomes. The eastern Free State is mostly mountainous, and although mud is not completely absent, there is less of it, but be prepared for some very challenging gradients over rocky terrain, both rocky and sandy dry river beds, and rutted farm tracks.
Most of the trails in these areas are graded at between 2 and 4, and should ideally only be attempted by experienced drivers with proper 4×4’s with low range, diff locks, and recovery gear. However, there are also several less demanding 4×4 trails for less experienced drivers with softer vehicles.
Southern/Western Free State:
Although there is approximately 2 000km of off road tracks in the Free State of which 400km fall in protected areas, there are not many 4×4 trails in the southern and western regions. However, the Free State has 22 179km of gravel roads, a very large percentage of which falls into these parts. From the perspective of Free State off-road tourism, this is a good thing, since some of the most spectacularly beautiful scenery in the southern Free State can be seen from gravel roads, because they lead right into the soul of the area; not always by the easiest route but more often than not via the most scenic way. A good example of this is the tight, twisting road from Bethulie to Burgersdorp through, and over koppies, gorges, and narrow bridges. You can follow the tarred route that will also get you to Burgersdorp, but in the absence of 4×4 trails in the area, going off-road on a vast network of gravel roads is the better choice, and by a large margin too.
The western parts of the province is generally flat, and the deep soils make for muddy, and often impossible conditions on the few 4×4 trails that spring up from time to time, however, the flatness of the terrain, and the attendant lack of real obstacles, mean that 4×4 trails do not survive for long before they are abandoned, or closed down.
However, with as many dirt roads and routes as there are places to go, in these parts Free State off-road tourism is best experienced by touring the extensive gravel road network, which consists of back roads that can be as much fun, and often as challenging, as any 4×4 trail, even though it can sometimes be a challenge because they are often badly signposted, and frequently do not appear on maps and GPS devices. Back roads are frequently closed without warning and for no apparent reason, which could well cause you to be stuck, or lost a long way from any form of help.
A sensible way to tackle back road touring in the Free State is to employ a route planner, who will work out the driving distance of each leg, provide GPS waypoints, make bookings for accommodation, check on, and confirm road conditions and closures, while keeping to your intended itinerary and budget as far as is possible. More on Free State Tourism for the Off-Road Traveler >>
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