Fouriesburg

Fouriesburg is a tiny rural Eastern Free State town and district in a beautiful area, 10kms from the Lesotho border, not far from Ficksburg and Clarens.

What Fouriesburg lacks in size is more than made up for in views. Nestled within the Brandwater Basin valley, Fouriesburg is surrounded by three inspiring mountain ranges – the Rooiberg, Witteberg and the Maluti Mountains of Lesotho.

Activities that can be enjoyed in and around Fouriesburg and in the surrounding mountains include quad biking and 4X4 trails, horse-riding trails, mountain biking, fly-fishing in the Caledon River, and tours into neighbouring Lesotho including Katse Dam and the Afri-Ski Mountain Resort in the Maluti Mountains. Hiking trails take you up into the mountains, to Bushman caves where you can see magnificent Rock Art and enjoy incredible views into the independent Basotho Kingdom of Lesotho. Rock Art can also be seen on many farms in the Eastern Free State around Fouriesburg.

Tourism in the area is mostly based on these outdoor and adventure activities, but within the town itself, local arts and crafts reflect both the local culture and the beautiful Free State Highlands mountain scenery.

Getting there: From Bloemfontein take the N8 (R709) east toward Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu. Continue on to the R26 through Ladybrand. The road swings north-north east. Follow the R26 to Ficksburg, go through Ficksburg and on to Fouriesburg on the same road.

Postscript on Fouriesburg:

Nearby Rustlers Valley was for many years an attraction for younger travellers and artists. A number of Music Festivals were held there each year from November to April, until a devastating fire destroyed the infrastructure. The mention of Rustler’s Valley is made here for the possibility of an eventual re-awakening. The website says it is ‘re-inventing itself’. ShowMe wishes them all the best, and hopes to include information here on Rustlers Valley in the near future.

The beautiful 5-day Brandwater Hiking Trail commonly associated with Fouriesburg (and still mentioned as active on many travel websites), has also been closed down.