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Glen Reenen Accommodation, Northern & Eastern Free State
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Glen Reenen Accommodation

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Glen Reenen

Glen Reenen is a scenic rest area and historic settlement within Golden Gate Highlands National Park, surrounded by dramatic sandstone cliffs and rolling grasslands in the foothills of the Maloti Mountains. With its peaceful setting, traditional accommodation and spectacular mountain scenery, it is one of the park's most appealing places to stay and explore.

The name Glen Reenen combines the English word ‘glen’, meaning a narrow valley, with the surname Reenen. It recalls the Van Reenen family, who farmed in this area during the 19th century. The family's connection with the landscape is also reflected in the story behind the name Golden Gate. The sandstone cliffs were famously illuminated by the setting sun, inspiring J.N.R. van Reenen to name his farm Golden Gate.

Glen Reenen has an interesting history as part of the original land incorporated into Golden Gate Highlands National Park. When the park was established in 1963, old farm buildings at Glen Reenen were adapted for tourist accommodation, with rondavels and camping facilities subsequently developed around them.

Today, Glen Reenen is an excellent base for experiencing the park's scenery and wildlife. Visitors can enjoy short walks, longer hiking routes and scenic drives, with opportunities to spot eland and other Highveld game. The surrounding sandstone cliffs are particularly spectacular in the early morning and late afternoon, when changing light brings out their rich golden, orange and red colours.

The area also has a fascinating cultural and archaeological heritage. San rock paintings and stone tools have been discovered in the park, while the wider landscape preserves evidence of Basotho and early European settlement. The nearby Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre adds another remarkable dimension, exploring the prehistoric fossils discovered in the region.

Glen Reenen lies in the Northern & Eastern Free State region, close to Clarens and the Lesotho border. For travellers, it offers an appealing combination of mountain scenery, history, wildlife and outdoor adventure, making it an ideal base for discovering one of the Free State's most spectacular landscapes.

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Glen Reenen Accommodation, Northern & Eastern Free State
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