Cape Town: SANParks confirms phased reopening of closed Tokai And Silvermine trails!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced the phased reopening of popular hiking trails in the Tokai and Silvermine sections of Table Mountain National Park in Cape Town following a devastating wildfire in April 2025 that burned approximately 2,800 hectares of natural landscape.

As of 01 July 2025, the following areas have officially reopened to the public:

• Silvermine Gate 2 (eastern side of Ou Kaapse Weg) – This includes the:
• Waterfall Trail
• Kalk Bay Trails
• Echo and Spes Bona Valleys
• Boyes Drive Trails
• Steenberg Plateau
• Upper Tokai Trails – Most of this area is open, except Level 4 and 5, which remain closed due to unstable terrain, especially during the winter rainy season.

The following areas remain closed for now due to ongoing safety assessments and restoration efforts:

• Silvermine Gate 1 (western side of Ou Kaapse Weg), which includes:
• Silvermine Dam
• Elephant’s Eye Trail
• Silvermine Riverwalk

Hiking trails in Silvermine Gate 1 are expected to reopen by September 2025, while Silvermine Dam and the Riverwalk may only reopen in December 2025, subject to the completion of infrastructure repairs.

While some areas may look visually untouched by the fire, access restrictions remain essential for public safety and ecological rehabilitation. SANParks emphasizes that visitor safety is a top priority, and urges all trail users to respect closure signs, follow ranger instructions and avoid entering off-limits zones.
If you're planning a hike in Table Mountain National Park, especially in the Tokai or Silvermine sections, make sure to check the latest updates from SANParks and stick to officially open trails. 

Your cooperation supports both safety efforts and the long-term recovery of this iconic Cape Town natural space.

 

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Cape Town: Tokai Forest Braai & Picnic Site in the Table Mountain National Park temporarily closed!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the Tokai Forest Braai & Picnic Site in the Table Mountain National Park in Cape Town is temporarily closed. This is due to planned water supply maintenance affecting the National Park's Tokai precinct. This result in the ablution facilities at the Picnic Site being out of service. 

The Tokai Forest Braai & Picnic Site is situated on the edge of the Tokai Plantation in the Table Mountain National Park. The Picnic Site is centrally located, offers  ample space for larger gatherings and is convenient for accessing many enjoyable trails through the Tokai Plantation. Alcohol, dogs and music are prohibited.

SANParks: Update on the opening times of several areas in Table Mountain National Park!

South African National Parks (SANPark) has released an update on the opening times of several areas in Cape Town's Table Mountain National Park. This includes Cape Point, Boulders, Silvermine as well as Newlands Picnic Site, Oudekraal Picnic Site and Tokai. According to Table Mountain National Park's Park Manager Mr Frans van Rooyen, the National Park is slowly recovering from the pandemic and visitors are kindly requested to be patient with the Park's management especially with the gate opening times at Cape Point. This is not a permanent decision and things will get back to normal when it's safe to do so.

Gate opening times are as follows:

Cape Point:

• Open daily, 07:00 - 17:00
• The take-away Food Shop and the Funicular operates from Thursdays to Sundays.
• The Curio shop operates Fridays - Sundays
• All beaches at Cape Point do not have lifeguards on duty.
  

Boulders:

• Open daily, 08:00 - 17:00
• No lifeguards on duty.
• Please check the tides prior to arrival as there is limited space available on the beach.

Silvermine:

• Gate 1: Open daily, 07:00 - 18:00
• Gate 2: Open daily, 08:00 - 18:00
• Braaing is allowed at Silvermine since we're out of fire season. No gas equipment is allowed.
• Please exercise caution when swimming in the dam as it is as own risk and no life guards are on duty.

Newlands Picnic Site:

• From 01 November 2021 entry times at Newlands picnic site will be 08:00 - 16:00 from Monday to Sunday.
• Freestanding braais are not permitted at the picnic sites and SANParks encourages guests to make use of the existing braai facilities.
• No alcohol or Gazebos are permitted on sites.

Oudekraal Picnic Site:

• Opens only on weekends.
• From 01 November 2021 entry times at Oudekraal picnic site will be 08:00 - 16:00 from Monday to Sunday.
• Freestanding braais are not permitted at the picnic sites and SANParks encourages guests to make use of the existing braai facilities.
• No alcohol or Gazebos are permitted on sites.

Tokai:

• Entry times at the pay point gate/picnic site will open from 07:00 to 18:00.
• Please ensure that if carrying out your activity in the park such as cycling, dog walking and horse riding that you have the requisite permit to do so. The Office in Tokai is open Monday to Friday 08:00 to 12:30 and 13:00 to 15:45 for your queries: (021 712 7471).
• Last-minute accommodation queries please book online at sanparks.org/bookings/ or call central reservations on 012 428 9111. Should you notice a fire anywhere on the mountain please call the TMNP emergency number at 086 110 6417 or 107 from a landline and 021 480 7700 from a mobile phone. Do not attempt to fight the fire on your own.

When out walking, hiking and trail running:

• Table Mountain National Park recommends that you carry out your activity in groups of four (4) or more. Please ensure that you know the route you are taking. If this is the first visit please go with someone who does know the route or hire a guide.
• Please prepare for all-weather temperatures, pack a hat, a weatherproof jacket and lots of water.
• Please ensure you have a map with you.
• Please load SANParks emergency number into your phone before setting off 0861 106 417 or 107 or 021 480 7700 and let someone know which route you will follow and when to expect you to return home.

Table Mountain National Park: Tokai plantation section remains closed!

The Tokai plantation section of the Table Mountain National Park in Cape Town remains closed due to extensive damage from the devastating fire in March 2015. South African National Parks (SANParks) names the following reasons for the continued closure:

• Standing trees that have been burnt or damaged by the fire are extremely dangerous continue to come down without warning in the area.
• Unstable fire damage slopes  result in rock falls
• Winds and rain exacerbate the danger with respect to falling trees, branches, rock falls and mudslides
• Hazardous clear-felling operations of the burnt plantation trees are still underway with intensive harvesting of a number of compartments simultaneously.
• Many of the trails are severely damaged and in some places would need to be rebuilt post clear-felling operations
• Disturbance to surviving animals
• Burnt areas are sensitive as windblown seeds can be damaged and the first emerging plants can be killed by accidental trampling
• Disturbance to sensitive erodible soils
• Rehabilitation of affected areas

The burnt areas in Tokai are continually under assessment by SANParks. Once the area is considered safe and all environmental issues have been addressed, the Tokai plantation section of the Table Mountain National Park will be reopened.