Silvermine Nature Reserve

Located in the central section of the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) Silvermine offers some of the best hikes in the Park with beautiful fynbos landscapes. There is plenty to take in, in and around Silvermine – a short and wheelchair-friendly boardwalk around the dam, a beautifully therapeutic river walk, a light walk to the Silvermine waterfall, bird spotting, picnics, dog walking and some scenic mountain biking, to name but a few.

Silvermine Mountain Bike Trails

MTB trails can be accessed from Silvermine Gate 1 (turn right off Ou Kaapse Weg coming from Cape Town). Once entering the reserve, you will find the start of the trails at a parking area clearly marked (about 2km from the entrance).  The Silvermine Dam loop is a 9.4 km trail that follows a rough jeep track, ascending towards the Elephant’s Eye cave (north). There is a steep zig zag switchback section and some concrete strips that help with traction in the steepest section of the climb.

At the top of the climb you will be rewarded with sweeping views over False Bay and the Atlantic. From here its a fast paced downhill ride all the way back to the dam. The dam is great of swimming and there are numerous picturesque braai/ picnic sites available along its edge.

For those looking for a bit of single track, the trail starts just below the dam wall and follows the course of the Sivermine river with a few rocky and sandy bits all the way back to the parking lot.

There is also an option of extending your ride by following the tar road down to the entrance gate, where you can get onto the gravel track that heads down to the Ou Wapad (see the map).

• A Level 3 TMNP My Activity Permit is required for mountain biking in this reserve.
• There are no credit card facilities at the Silvermine Entrance gate.

Map created by Table Mountain Bikers.