Cape Town’s Table Mountain National Park has reopened most of the trails in the Silvermine area including Gate 1. This follows the fire that damaged approximately 2 800 hectares within the park in April.
The reopening includes parts of Upper Tokai, which were closed during the rainy season due to unstable terrain.
A section of the road from the Silvermine boom gate to the junction of levels 4 and 5 will remain closed to cyclists while rehabilitation continues. The Donkey Trail from Silvermine to Upper Tokai, and levels 1 and 2 of Jeep tracks for horseback riders, will remain closed due to severe rain damage.
Gate 1, on the western side of Ou Kaapse Weg, includes Silvermine Dam, the Elephant’s Eye trail and Silvermine Riverwalk. Ablution facilities at the entrance and near the western side of the dam will be available while reconstruction of the burnt facilities continues. The uThango braai area remains closed and is expected to reopen in December this year.
SANParks cautioned that, although some trails appear unaffected, access restrictions remain in place for safety and ecological restoration. “Public safety is our top priority. Therefore, SANParks urges all trail users to strictly adhere to signage, area closures and instructions from rangers.”
