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As Spring arrives in Cape Town with blue skies and mountains of blommetjies, there’s great news for Cape Town’s hikers, cyclists and weekend wanderers: South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that Silvermine Gate 1 – and most of the trails in the Silvermine area – are once again open to the public.
Silvermine Gate 1 is on the northern side of Ou Kaapse Weg, where the ticket office is located, and includes the popular Silvermine Dam, the Elephant’s Eye trail, and the gentle Silvermine Riverwalk. The reopening follows the reopening of Silvermine Gate 2 – on the Kalk Bay side of Ou Kaapse Weg – and parts of Tokai back in July.
The closures were put in place after a fire in April 2025 ripped across 2800 hectares of fynbos in the Silvermine and Tokai sections of Table Mountain National Park, torching cars in the parking lot and decimating infrastructure (not to mention the fynbos).
Since then SANParks and local community partners have put massive effort into rehabilitation and safety work. That’s all paid off, and from today (1 September 2025) some of the most popular trails have reopened.
What is open in Silvermine?
Along with trails above Silvermine Dam, the Elephant’s Eye trail, and the Silvermine Riverwalk, popular parts of Upper Tokai have also reopened. This includes Levels 4 and 5 (mountain bikers, IYKYK!), which had remained closed due to slippery and unstable terrain after winter rains.
However, not every route is ready: the Donkey Trail linking Silvermine to Upper Tokai, as well as the Level 1 and 2 Jeep tracks for horse riders, remain closed due to heavy rain damage. Cyclists should also note that part of the road from the Silvermine boom gate to the junction of Levels 4 and 5 will stay off-limits while rehab work continues.
Away from the trails, some facilities are also still in recovery mode. The uThango braai area is set to stay closed until at least December, while new ablution blocks are under construction. In the meantime, visitors can use facilities at the gate and on the dam’s western side.
SANParks has also stressed that while many paths may look fine, some restrictions are still in place to protect recovering ecosystems. Expect signage to show you where you should steer clear, and rangers on-site to monitor closed-off sections. Please, don’t be that guy (or girl) who ignores them? Just be lekker.
With spring around the corner, expect Silvermine’s trails to be busy as Capetonians reclaim their favourite outdoor playground. Tread lightly and stick to the rules.
Silvermine & Tokai reopens: Need to know:
What’s open
- Silvermine Gate 1 (west side of Ou Kaapse Weg)
- Silvermine Dam (swimming, picnicking)
- Elephant’s Eye trail & Silvermine Riverwalk
- Upper Tokai: Levels 4 & 5
Still closed
- Donkey Trail (Silvermine ↔ Tokai)
- Level 1 & 2 Jeep tracks (horseback riding)
- Section of road from Silvermine boom gate to junction of Levels 4 & 5 (for cyclists)
- uThango braai area (expected reopening December 2025)
Facilities
- Temporary ablution facilities are available at the ticket gate and the dam’s western side
- New facilities are under construction
- Burnt dam-side ablutions under restoration
Good to know
- Stick to marked trails and obey signage
- Park rangers will be on site to assist and guide
- Ongoing alien clearing will help fynbos spring back stronger
Great inspo for the great outdoors: The Best Day Hikes in Cape Town!