The Free State is made for the open road and its waiting for you to explore.
Golden Gate Highlands National Park/Natalie Comrie/Unsplash
With vast grasslands, sandstone mountains, historic towns and surprisingly varied landscapes, South Africa’s central province is easy to underestimate. Yet beyond the N1 lies a network of quieter roads linking geological wonders, cultural landmarks, wildlife reserves and small towns where the pace is pleasantly unhurried.
Instead of choosing just one destination, turn the province into a series of road trips. Here are five ways to explore the Free State, each with a different reason to keep driving.
1. The Highlands and Sandstone route
Clarens → Golden Gate Highlands National Park → Fouriesburg → Ficksburg
For dramatic scenery, head east towards the Maluti Mountains, where the landscape changes from open grassland to sandstone cliffs and rolling foothills.
Begin in Clarens, the self-styled ‘Jewel of the Free State’, where galleries, craft shops and cafés make it an easy place to linger. From here, follow the R712 through Golden Gate Highlands National Park, the province’s only national park. The park is known for its golden sandstone formations, montane grasslands, hiking trails and abundant birdlife.
Continue towards Fouriesburg, a small town surrounded by mountains and farmland, before heading towards Ficksburg. Known for its cherry-growing industry, Ficksburg makes a particularly appealing stop during cherry season.
Best for: mountain scenery, hiking, photography and small-town charm.
2. The Meteorite and Vaal River route
Parys → Vredefort → Vredefort Dome → Parys
The northern Free State offers one of the province’s most unusual landscapes. Base yourself in Parys, a lively town on the Vaal River, then head into the surrounding countryside to explore the Vredefort Dome.
The dome is part of the world’s largest and oldest known meteorite impact structure and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its geological significance. The impact happened roughly two billion years ago, leaving behind a landscape of hills, ridges and exposed rock.
Back in Parys, browse its galleries and shops, enjoy the riverside setting or use the town as a base for outdoor adventures. This is a road trip where geology becomes the main attraction.
Best for: geology, outdoor adventures, art and the Vaal River.
3. The Heritage Heartland route
Bloemfontein → Winburg → Brandfort → Bloemfontein
Make Bloemfontein the starting point for a journey through some of the Free State’s historic heartland.
The provincial capital is home to museums, memorials, galleries and historic buildings that reveal layers of South African history. From here, travel north towards Winburg, one of the Free State’s oldest towns and a significant stop for understanding the province’s colonial and Voortrekker history. Free State Tourism describes Winburg as the oldest proclaimed town in the province.
Continue towards Brandfort, associated with writer and activist Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, before returning to Bloemfontein.
This route is less about ticking off attractions and more about slowing down and considering how the Free State’s towns, farms and landscapes have been shaped by different communities and historical periods.
Best for: history, museums, heritage and cultural tourism.
4. The Southern Free State route
Bloemfontein → Philippolis → Bethulie → Gariep Dam
For wide-open landscapes and classic Karoo scenery, point the car south.
Philippolis, one of the Free State’s oldest settlements, is a worthwhile detour from the main routes, with historic buildings and a distinctly literary connection. Continue towards Bethulie, perched above the Gariep Dam, South Africa’s largest reservoir.
The scenery becomes increasingly expansive as you travel south, making this a route for travellers who enjoy the journey as much as the destination. Gariep Dam is also a natural stopping point for water-based recreation, fishing, birdwatching and relaxed weekends beside the reservoir.
Best for: peaceful drives, history, big skies and waterside escapes.
5. The Eastern Free State adventure route
Bethlehem → Harrismith → Memel → Clarens
Finish with a route that combines mountains, wildlife and country landscapes.
Bethlehem is a useful base for exploring the eastern Free State before heading towards Harrismith and the surrounding highlands. From there, detour towards Memel, a destination particularly appealing to birders, before looping back towards Clarens.
The eastern Free State is part of the province’s Highlands tourism landscape, with mountain scenery, grasslands and wetlands creating habitats for an impressive variety of birdlife. Free State Tourism highlights Memel as a birdwatching destination with more than 250 species recorded.
End back in Clarens, where a weekend of galleries, good food and mountain views makes a fitting finale.
Best for: birding, scenic drives, hiking and country escapes.
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