Into the Elephant's Eye

A stunning hiking trail which is not too long, not too tough but just right for any family of bears



#Silvermine Nature Reserve forms part of the #Table Mountain #National Park. It straddles the mountain, from the winding #Ou Kaapse Weg on the #Tokai, #Constantia side of the #mountain, over the peak of the mountain into #Noordhoek and #Fishhoek, overlooking the ocean. Depending on which trail you follow, the view changes dramatically. I was secretly excited to figure out why this trail got its name and I had to wait until the very end of the walk to find out.
Silvermine takes its name from the Silvermine River, which starts in the reserve and runs to #Clovelly and it is an important conservation area for indigenous fynbos vegetation.
Entrance to the Reserve is at the top of Ou Kaapse Weg where a small fee is charged.

I passed the reservoir and admired the floating lilies, skipped along the path chasing each other's shadows until we reached a rocky incline and then we panted our way to the top. The peak revealed a forest with a river running through it. Fresh mountain water. Drinking in the view made my way over the stream up the side of the mountain toward a little stone hut which we thought was the top. Still not.

And then, around the corner I spotted a cave which appeared to be in the shape of an (you got it) elephant's eye. The thin trail meandered to a cave near the peak. The bears gobbled their snacks and warmed their coats in the winter sun. It all lasted two hours in total with rests. This trail isn't too tough or too long, it is 'just right'.

Parking is available for those who wish to spend a few hours #walking, #hiking or #exploring the many #mountain #bike #trails that the #Reserve offers. Individual picnic sites are situated around the Silvermine Reservoir and these can be booked in advance.
Sandstone cave systems can also be found in the Reserve, and there are rock climbing routes on the #Muizenberg side.