Elephant's Eye Cave — Attraction in Cape Town Ward 71

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The Elephant Eye hike was an absolutely beautiful experience! I’m not the fittest or the most experienced hiker, but the trail was totally doable with regular breathing breaks, and it was so rewarding. The terrain is really interesting—it transitions from gravel paths to rocky sections, sandy patches, and even a bit of rock climbing near the top. The variety makes it such an exciting and engaging hike!

Reaching the top is an incredible accomplishment, and the cave itself is breathtaking. It’s massive, and you can climb into it to enjoy stunning views from inside. The greenery growing within the cave adds to its charm, and it’s such a peaceful spot to relax. I’d definitely recommend bringing some food for a little picnic while soaking in the views.

I hiked alone but made sure there were other hikers around me for safety, which is something I’d recommend for South Africans or anyone concerned about hiking solo. Luckily, there were plenty of people on the trail (I went on a Saturday), but it never felt overcrowded. There’s a wonderful camaraderie among the hikers—everyone greets each other, and you’re met with congratulations when you reach the top.

This hike is perfect for small or large groups, and even families with kids. I saw younger children managing the trail impressively, though it might be a bit more challenging for them. For seasoned hikers, this will likely be a breeze, but for the rest of us, it’s an incredible experience that leaves you feeling accomplished. Highly recommend it...

We arrived at the gate at 6:30am but it was closed,it opened from 7am (this was on 21 January 2018).

Adults R50 conservation fee to enter.

The trail start is clearly marked,it can be found at the very last parking area closest to the Silvermine reservoir, perfect for a swim and picnic post hike.

The elephants eye cave trail is clearly marked along the route.

It took us about 2.5 hours to complete the hike, with short breaks in-between and a 30min break at the cave.

Moderate fitness required for this hike, take your time and enjoy the views.

Remember to bring enough water and a windproof/waterproof layer as the weather can change unexpectedly.

There are plenty baboons in the area, they usually keep to themselves unless there is readily available food, so be careful with regards to leaving food out for a picnic...

Elephant’s Eye Cave gazes down on the southern suburbs and looks pretty massive, but ground level.

It’s such a pity that the route up from Tokai is now permanently closed and the only reasonable way to access this landmark is from the Silvermine entrance.

(I mean, if you’re really brave, you can walk over from Chapman’s Peak for free, but I guess then you deserve it.)

For the ordinary hiker, it’s quite larger than it looks and the last bit to the cave is a bit of a scramble, but the views are quite stunning.

The cave isn’t as deep as it might suggest, but it’s a nice one to tick off your Table Mountain bucket list.

You will have to pay to enter at Silvermine and the hike take...