Gateway to beauty and discovery

Located around four hours from Johannesburg and Pretoria, Golden Gate is within reach as a day-trip destination, but most people prefer to spend more time so they can take in the area’s many additional attractions. There are a host of excellent and varied accommodation options, ranging from hotels and chalets to guest farms and mountain retreats, and a range of activities to indulge in from golf to horse riding, hiking, 4x4 trails and white-water rafting.

The recommended route has travellers approach from the west, starting near Clarens (S28.510792 E28.424886), from where you would travel in an easterly direction along the R712 for 16.8km. It will take you to the park entrance gate and the western start point of the pass (S28.501258 E28.578778). Alternatively, you can approach from the east, in which case you will start near Harrismith at the intersection of the N5 and McKechnie Street (S28.285067 E29.131193) and travel in a westerly direction along the N5 for 4.3km to S28.288984 E29.089289, from where you turn left onto the R74. Follow this road for 40.9km to reach the eastern entrance to Golden Gate and continue along the road for another 15.5km to the eastern start point of the pass.

If you use this route as a thoroughfare to get from Clarens to Harrismith, you don’t have to worry about paying an entrance fee. If you are staying in the park, or if you are a day visitor, a conservation fee will be levied unless you have a valid Wild Card.