South African National Parks (SANParks) has marked a major milestone in Cape Town’s trail restoration efforts. According to reports by Travel News Africa, beginning 1 September 2025, the second phase of the reopening of the Silvermine area at Table Mountain National Park will be underway following the April 2025 wildfires, which scorched around 2800 hectares of fynbos.
Photo from SANParks website
What’s now open:
- Silvermine Gate 1 on the west side of Ou Kaapse Weg is now open, granting access to beloved features such as Silvermine Dam, the Elephant’s Eye Trail and the serene Silvermine Riverwalk.
- Upper Tokai, including previously inaccessible Levels 4 and 5, is now accessible to hikers and mountain bikers.
Still restricted or under rehabilitation:
- A section of road, from the Silvermine boom gate to the Level 4/5 junction remains off limits to cyclists as rehabilitation continues.
- Due to rain damage and continuing restoration, the Donkey Trail and the Levels 1 & 2 Jeep tracks which are often used by horseback riders are still closed.
Facilities & safety measures:
- In the meantime, visitors will find temporary toilets at the entrance gate and on the dam’s western side while repairs to the fire-damaged infrastructure are underway.
- The uThango braai area remains closed and is scheduled to reopen in December 2025, once infrastructure repairs are complete.
- SANParks strongly urges visitors to heed signage, stay on designated paths and follow ranger instructions – even where trails appear undamaged – to ensure both public safety and successful ecological rehabilitation.
Why this matters:
This phased reopening demonstrates SANParks’ thoughtful approach; allowing the public to slowly return to outdoor recreation while carefully managing trail safety and ecological recovery. It’s significant step for Cape Town’s tourism, enabling people to once again enjoy iconic trails and natural beauty, while preserving long-term conservation goals.
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