Silvermine Nature Reserve

Silvermine Nature Reserve forms part of the Table Mountain National Park in Cape Town.

It covers the section of the Cape Peninsula mountain range from the Kalk Bay mountains through to Constantiaberg.

Attractions within the reserve range from popular and well marked mountain bike trails, to bird watching and hiking.

The Silvermine Hiking trail allows one to see a variety of flora as well as bird and small animal life.
There are a large number of different Proteas and other fynbos species, flowering throughout the different seasons - making it an interesting walk at any time of the year.

One of the easiest walks leads from the car park at the top of the mountain to the Silvermine Reservoir, which was built in 1898 to supply water to Cape Town.

reservoir bridge, Silvermine Nature Reserve

Reservoir bridge
Photo courtesy: hhschueller

Another route, is a walk up valley to a small waterfall, passing a number of old ruins.
The waterfall is only seen in its full glory in winter, but it is also a great peaceful picnic spot.

The river, which starts in the reserve and runs to Clovelly, is the only river in the Cape Peninsula that runs its whole course without going through a developed area.