Cape town: The South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced the second phase of the reopening of Silvermine Gate 1 and most of the trails in the Silvermine area on Table Mountain. This development comes after the successful reopening of Silvermine Gate 2 and sections of Tokai on July 1, following a fire in late April 2025 that affected approximately 2,800 hectares in the region.
According to South African Government News Agency, located in the central section of the Table Mountain National Park, Silvermine offers some of the sought-after hikes with notable fynbos landscapes. Upper Tokai is also set to reopen on September 1, 2025, including Levels 4 and 5, which were previously inaccessible due to unstable terrain during the rainy season. However, a portion of the road from the Silvermine boom gate to the junction of Levels 4 and 5 will remain closed to cyclists as rehabilitation efforts continue.
The Donkey Trail from Silvermine to Upper Tokai, along with the Level 1 and 2 Jeep tracks for horseback riders, will stay closed until further notice due to significant rain damage. Silvermine Gate 1, situated on the western side of Ou Kaapse Weg, which encompasses the Silvermine Dam, the Elephant’s Eye trail, and the Silvermine Riverwalk, will be officially open to the public.
Maintenance work is ongoing in certain areas, including the construction of new ablution facilities. Visitors will have access to the facilities at the entrance gate and near the western side of the dam until the reconstruction of the burnt facilities near the dam parking is completed. The uThango braai area will remain closed and is expected to reopen in December 2025, pending the restoration of infrastructure.
Although some trails may appear visually unaffected, access is restricted in specific areas to ensure user safety and support ecological restoration efforts. Public safety remains a top priority, and trail users are urged to adhere strictly to signage, area closures, and instructions from rangers. Visitors must remain vigilant and stick to designated paths at all times.
To ensure a safe reopening, SANParks is conducting Safety Awareness Campaigns as visitors return. SANParks appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation as efforts continue towards safely restoring access to these important areas.