The Sungazer Pilgramige are slackpacking trails from Paul Roux in the Free State.

Based at the little town of Paul Roux in the Eastern Free State the Sungazer Pilgrimages take their name from the endemic and threatened Sungazer Lizard (Smaug Gigantus).

The countryside here is beautiful, unspoilt, and perfect for appreciating the meaning of the word ‘pilgrimage’. A pilgrimage may be defined as a journey, often into an unknown or foreign place, where a person goes in search of new or expanded meaning about their self, others, and nature.

We provide self-guided clearly marked walking pilgrimages, a self-guided cycle route, and a fully guided walk around the foothills of the Maluti mountains. All of our trips provides a safe and enjoyable experience into the pristine world of Free State nature.  Slackpacking is available for all our routes.

Each night stop has been carefully selected to provide comfort and satisfaction after a day’s effort. Mouth watering dinners is available in the evening and breakfast the following morning. Sleeping arrangements are mostly single and double beds.

Walking Pilgrimages
Newbery Passion Pilgrimage
Takes its name from a pilgrim who was passionate about animals and animal rights. Taking 11 days and 12 nights this excursion covers a circular route of 211km. You should make a point of visiting the dinosaur museum and seeing the dinosaur footprints at Uniondale. The walk taking in the full route of the Sungazer Pilgrimage starts and ends in Paul Roux.

Wille Willemien Pilgrimage
Celebrates a pilgrim who was humorous and a fast walker. Lasting 4 days and 5 nights, this walk is 89km long. Impressive mountain scenery. Snow in winter on the mountain tops.

Sandy’s Shoes Pilgrimage
Takes its name from a pilgrim lady wearing a size 9 shoe. Walking for 6 days and sleeping for 7 nights this pilgrimage stretches to 116km.  Cherry blossoms during spring and cosmos during autumn is the ultimate picture for the pilgrim.

Dirty Harry Pilgrimage
Named after the oldest pilgrim we’ve had so far. He was 83. And it was a wet and muddy summer.  Beautiful scenery on this route.
This is a 3 day 4 night walk over 47km.

Cycle Routes
Tour de Gazer
The name was awarded by a cycling group who hoped to meet a SunGazer. They were out of luck. This is a 3 day 4 night trip over 47km
Mountain Camino.

Maluti Mountain Camino
53km of view and experience that you will never have had before. A fully guided tour of 4 days and 5 nights. You will appreciate the knowledge and experience of the guide. You can enjoy marvellous views of the Fouriesburg area, the Caledon river and of Maluti Mountains in Lesotho.