Closest Town: Ladybrand
Grading: Easy
Duration: 1 - 2 Hours
Location (Area/Province): Central Free State and Free State
Configuration: 25km circuit
Start Point: Start at St. Augustines Mission
Access: Public access - Park and ride by arrangement. No Charge.
Beware of: Beware of vehicles
Facilities: Accommodation for 60 to 90 guests in sandstone hostels, cottages and double rooms with the emphasis upon rustic and rural living. Catered b&b, dinner and lunch made on request.
Cell Reception: Intermittent cell reception
Previously an extensive mission station, dating back to the early 1800s, St Augustine’s is still run by the Anglican Church. Today, guests come for conferences and spiritual retreats. There are five sacred sites here, among them a cave where the first missionaries lived, San rock paintings and an interesting graveyard. There is a fascinating library with many antique books.
On your bike
Guests and day visitors are welcome to bring their bicycles and ride a 25 km route along quiet public dirt roads used to access farms in the area. Follow the Modderpoort railway line along the S513, turning left over the mountain and up over a short pass on the S36 into Ladybrand. At the top of the pass there is a stunning view directly into the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho. Don’t go downhill into Ladybrand so fast that you miss stopping for tea and cake or bacon and eggs at any one of the friendly B&Bs in town. To return, ride 11km along the 57, parallel to the railway line out of Ladybrand, back to St. Augustines.
Off the bike
Visit the five sacred sites of the mission which are the San paintings on the sandstone rock overhand behind the mission, the Cave Church built under the same overhang, the grave of the Prophetess Mantsopha, the Chapel of st Augustines, the graveyard of the mission founders and Mantsopha’s Well.
GPS: 29˚06.719’ South / 27˚26.854’ East
