The Silvermine Reserve is divided by Ou Kaapse Weg into two sections and is home to over 900 species of fynbos, made up mainly of proteas, ericas and restios. Its hosts a number of walking trails on both the west and east sides. The walk to the waterfall is one of my favourites for a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Park at the Silvermine Gate 2 Entrance which is on the east side of the reserve. This hike is an easy walk on a clearly marked trail. While the walk down to the 30m waterfall is steep and narrow, the road leading to the top is wide and suitable for a robust stroller.
Distance: 2.6 km (from the car park to the bottom of the waterfall)
Approx Time: 1 hour
Terrain: Jeep Track, Sandy path, Narrow stone steps. Slippery at the waterfall.
Dogs: Allowed
Difficulty: Easy
Cost: R5 entry at Gate 2. Free for Wild Card Holders.
The gentle slope up to the waterfall gave us lots of time to take in the breathtaking view down the valley toward slangkop. I was amazed at how much of the vegetation has started to regenerate after the fires which gave us a great talking point for the kids.
When you get to the bottom, there are some amazing little rock pools and an ideal spot to sit in the shade and have a picnic. We managed to spot a big frog, hairy worms and a birds nest. There was even some time for a brisk shower for the more adventurous in our party!
Did you know?
Silvermine gets it’s name from silver prospectors who, in 1675, thought that these mountains contained silver. Shafts were sunk to try and find it. Luckily for us, there was no silver to be found but the name has stuck.
Look out for:
- Proteas
- Pelargoniums
- Watsonias
- Ericas
- Everlastings
- Frogs
What to bring:
- Walking shoes
- Warm top, wind breaker
- Water
- Snacks
Map:
Note:
Take care when close to the slippery edge of the 30m waterfall! While this route is well used, it is always best to walk in a group.