Hiking in Silvermine Nature
Reserve
The hike to the Tokai lookout hut is a great shorter hike if you are limited for time or are introducing someone to the pleasures of hiking. Walking at a reasonable speed you can be back at your car in less than 2 hours.
Park your car at the top car park beside the dam in Silvermine North. (you need a wild card or to pay R15 entry fee at the gate) The take the path signed to elephants eye cave. Initially a small shaded path you join with a jeep track after50m. Continue on a small incline for about a kilometer. At a T junction you take a left turn up a much steeper hill for 20m then take the small path to the left. Although steep, this path cuts out a large switchback on the jeep track. Once you rejoin the jeep track you are already at a height of 550m. Stop here and admire the view over False Bay and the Muizenberg Mountains for a while.
The jeep track
Once on your way again take the first path to the right. . This path leads you on a relatively flat route around Steenberg Ridge and above Tokai Forest. During the winter you cross many small streams and it is slippery in a couple of areas, so take care. After a further 500m you take the left turn at a trail head and begin a small final climb to the hut.
- Enjoying the view from the Tokai lookout hut
Once at the hut take a long break to savour the view. The entire Southern suburbs lie to the left, whilst to the right you can see right across False Bay and down the rest of the Cape Peninsula.
