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Harrismith Accommodation: Nearby towns with accommodation:
Deneysville Accommodation | Clarens Accommodation | Vrede Accommodation
Heilbron Accommodation | Sasolburg Accommodation | Oranjeville Accommodation
Harrismith, named after Sir Harry Smith, is a large town situated on the N3 highway in the Free State province of South Africa between Johannesburg (about 350 km from Johannesburg) and Durban.
This important crossroads in South Africa's land trade routes is surrounded by mesas and buttes and located at base of one of these called Platberg ("Flat Mountain" translated from Afrikaans).
The town was initially laid out by Robert Moffat about 25km from the present location, in present day Aberfeldy on the Elands River. This site unfortunately proved to be deficient in water and Harrismith was shifted to its present site in January 1850. Twenty-four years later it became a municipality and during the diamond rush at Kimberley, the town became a busy staging post on the Natal transport route.
Most people only know it as a convenient refuelling stop for trucks, vehicles and people but it does have much more to offer. Located in the foothills of the Drakensberg, it is close to the Northern Berg ("mountain" translated from Afrikaans) and the Amphitheatre and Mont-Aux-Sources are easily accessible from here.
Harrismith Town Hall - A graceful sandstone and brick building built in 1907, and a National Monument. Harrismith Wildflower Gardens - Founded in 1967 as a botanical garden these contain about 20 % of the Drakensberg region's flora. Located around two dams fed by mountain springs. A perfect picnic spot. Platberg - The most famous landmarks in the Eastern Free State is the 9 kilometre long, 2,377 metre high, Platberg. The annual Platberg Mountain Race is held across Platberg. This race forms part of the Berg Bohaai festival (literally "Mountain Mania" translated from Afrikaans). The race has been described as the "toughest marathon in the world" by Wally Hayward. It originated in 1922 when a British soldier, Major A E Belcher, returned to Harrismith where he had been stationed near 42nd Hill during the Second Boer War. He referred to Platberg as "that small hill of yours", and one of the locals immediately bet him that he could not reach the top in less than 60 minutes. He accepted the challenge and covered the distance within the allocated time - he still had eight minutes to spare.
Afterwards Major Belcher presented a floating trophy as a prize awarded to the first athlete to reach the top of the mountain (the record time today is 22 minutes and 9 seconds). The 15 kilometre race starts from the town's sports grounds, and the route is up the slopes of Platberg passing through the terrain where the concentration camp once stood.
The top is reached via One Man's Pass, close to which a fort, built during the Second Boer War, is to be seen. After traversing a short distance along the top, the descent is made via Zig-Zag Pass, and the race is completed at the sports grounds.
Harrismith Golf Course - The 18-hole golf course, arguably the third oldest in South Africa (after the Royal Cape and George Golf Clubs) was founded in 1887.
Dirty Harry - The Dirty Harry is a mountain bike race that forms part of the South African National Mountain Bike Series. The Dirty Harry forms part of the wonderful Berg Bohaai festival. This festival is anchored by Major Belcher's run up the mountain in 1922 and is held annually in early October.
Sterkfontein Dam - The third largest dam in South Africa. Practically all the water is pumped up the escarpment from KwaZulu-Natal. Built before the Lesotho Highlands Water Project was developed.
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