Silvermine Nature Reserve
Silvermine Nature Reserve things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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The dam is a great place to swim, especially in summer. International visitors worry about the brown water but it's not contamination. It's tea. Really. Tannins from the fynbos leached into the soil and washed into streams colour most mountain streams. My folks called it Coca-Cola water. I wouldn't drink it though. This little dam doesn't provide drinking water to the city - it's too small. Cape Town's biggest dam on the mountains you can see on the other side of the cape flats, is called Theewaterskloof - old Dutch for "tea water gorge". Most of our drinking water comes from there. The water is the same colour. Once it's goes through the purification system it looses the tea colour. Loads of easy walks. Hike to see the nesting pair of Vereaux Eagles or picnic in the Elephants Eye cave. Hike here are little more accessible for smaller kids and a great place for the whole family to hike together - even the kids over 65. Best place to start rock climbing. There are professional guides who can take you or join a club. Not something to start on your own. Most routes are single pitch sport routes with well bolted and maintained protection. Pitches are roughly 20 meters. Online route guides are pretty good but they tend to leave out the easier routes. Better to get a guide book like Tony Lourens' Western Cape Rock. All round a fantastic spot. R40 for SA adults is cheap but you can get a Wild Card and it's even cheaper.
Greg “Dassie” AndrewsGreg “Dassie” Andrews
20
There are various entry points from different parts of the city for hiles and walk. Hikes for all levels of complexity. Well maintained picnic spots and a lovely board walk all around the dam. Swimming is permitted in the dam. Only certain areas are pet friendly. Beautiful proteas and other Fynbos can be seen along the path. There is an entrance fee so check the website door latest prices. Use your Wild Card, Activity Card or Green Card membership. Take good hiking shoes, drinking water, hat, sunscreen and snacks or eats . There's not much shade and there are no shops in the reserve. Note also that there is hardly any cellphone reception.
Satish GuptaSatish Gupta
20
A Sanparks nature reserve. Hikes for all levels of complexity. Well maintained picnic spots and a lovely board walk all around the dam. Swimming is permitted in the dam. Only certain areas are pet friendly. Beautiful proteas and other Fynbos can be seen along the path. There is an entrance fee so check the website door latest prices. Use your Wild Card, Activity Card or Green Card membership. Take good hiking shoes, drinking water, hat, sunscreen and snacks or eats . There's not much shade and there are no shops in the reserve. Note also that there is hardly any cellphone reception.
Enid SonEnid Son
40
Amazing nature reserve. A nice loop that is approximately 7Kms depending on the path you take but it’s a good trail. It’s a steady incline. You should be healthy but you don’t have to be a crazy athlete to complete it if you take breaks. Lots of mountain biking as well. Love that they have dog friendly areas. Pro tops: Don’t forget to bring cash because they will turn you away! Also you don’t have cell phone service starting from the start of the park so make sure you make arrangements if you are meeting people and tell them specifically which other the many parking lots you will be at.
Jasmine WongJasmine Wong
100
Gate one and gate two are very close to each other, a few minutes away by the tared road. If going through gate one there is a small charge of less than R50. Through gate one you reach elephants eye and there are swimming spots available, you can also drive most of the way up. Through gate 2 (no fee) you have access to gravel parking and to some running and hiking trails. This side is also dog friendly. Depending the trail you take the hike can become difficult, more so in navigating through the rocks than in gradient. Beautiful scenery, and no toilets available.
Nosipho MthembuNosipho Mthembu
80
We loved our outing to Silvermine and Elephants Eye! It is well worth while paying the entrance fee but you also have free access via your Activity permit. Good to know that this is one of 4 Table Mountain Nature reserves where dogs are allowed. We will definitely be back to do a BBQ next the the peaceful dam. There are quite a few signs warning hikers to move in groups. We recommend walking the trails between 09h00 and 16h00 but I must say the routes are well supported with many hikers within hearing and seeing distance. So we felt quite safe.
Willem Van der MerweWillem Van der Merwe
50
Nearby Attractions Of Silvermine Nature Reserve
Gate 2, Silvermine Nature Reserve
Ou Kaapse Weg
Gate 1, Silvermine Nature Reserve

Gate 2, Silvermine Nature Reserve
4.7
(104)Click for details

Ou Kaapse Weg
4.6
(44)Click for details

Gate 1, Silvermine Nature Reserve
4.5
(32)Click for details
Basic Info
Address
Table Mountain National Park, Table Mountain (Nature Reserve), Cape Town, South Africa
Map
Phone
+27 21 712 7471
Call
Website
sanparks.org
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.7
(283 reviews)
Ratings & Description
outdoor
adventure
family friendly
Description
Silvermine Nature Reserve forms part of the Table Mountain National Park in Cape Town, South Africa. It covers the section of the Cape Peninsula mountain range from the Kalk Bay mountains through to Constantiaberg.
attractions: Gate 2, Silvermine Nature Reserve, Ou Kaapse Weg, Gate 1, Silvermine Nature Reserve, restaurants:
