  Silvermine Nature Reserve:
The Silvermine Nature Reserve forms a part of the Table
Mountain National Park, a protected conservation area, located approximately ten
minutes drive from the city centre.
The park straddles the mountain, from the winding Ou Kaapse Weg (Old Cape Road) on the
Tokai, Constantia and Westlake side of the mountain, over the peak of the mountain, and
into Noordhoek
, Sun Valley and Fishhoek, overlooking the ocean.
Approaching the reserve from the City side of the mountain, along Ou Kaapse Weg, it is
possible to view most of the greater Cape Town area, up to the Tygerberg Hills and beyond
on a clear day, laid out like a patchwork quilt below.Continuing further along the road,
which winds directly over the top of the mountain itself, takes one on a scenic trip
through the Fynbos, where thousands of plants, unique to the Cape
Floral Kingdom can be seen.
Attractions within the reserve range from popular and well marked mountain bike trails, to
bird watching and hiking, and the reserve is a favorite destination for locals and
tourists alike, particularly on weekends, when many city dwelling families make the short
trip to the reserve. Following one of these hikes, a relatively short trail, will lead to
a viewing point, where the view encompasses a panorama stretching from False Bay, all the
way around to Cape Point, the famed meeting place of the Indian and Atlantic oceans.
 Picnic and
braai areas are available in parts of the park, and can be located by contacting Cape
Nature Conservation, although the possibility, and prevalence during the summer months of
veld fires mean that visitors should exercise caution when making use of these facilities.
Another attraction that would be worth visiting while exploring the reserve is the
Silvermine reservoir, located on the North side of the reserve, and dating back to 1898,
when it was built to supply water to the growing Cape metropolis. For more adventurous
adrenaline seekers, the Muizenberg area of the reserve offers rock climbing, as well as
sandstone caves to be explored. Also located within the reserve, although restricted to
the public, is the South African Naval headquarters which sits lower down the mountain.
If you choose to stay on the road, and having crested the mountain, you are rewarded with
a view of the picturesque areas of Sun Valley and Noordhoek, and following the road down
the mountain leaves a short trip to one of the excellent beaches in the area. Also within
easy reach of the reserve on the Noordhoek side are the small, historic towns of Fishhoek,
and further along, Simons Town, steeped in naval history, including the statue of the
legendary Just Nuisance, and further still, Cape Point itself.
Each of these towns offers numerous attractions, restaurants, swimming beaches and other
activities, and anyone planning a trip to the area would be well served by contacting the
local tourism offices, although, the pleasure of an unplanned, leisurely meander through
the reserve and surrounds should not be underestimated. |
