Several hiking trails in Cape Town are preparing to welcome outdoor enthusiasts again, with key reopening dates just around the corner. According to SANParks, the Tokai and Silvermine East trails are scheduled to reopen on 1 July, offering hikers a chance to return to nature following the extensive closures caused by a major wildfire earlier this year.
However, not all areas will be accessible yet. The Silvermine picnic site, boardwalk around the dam, riverwalk, and various other trails at Silvermine West will remain closed. SANParks confirmed that all infrastructure in Silvermine West sustained significant fire damage, including the burning down of ablution blocks, making it unsafe and unsuitable for public access at this time.
“Repairs to the infrastructure will take time, and without functioning toilets, the picnic site cannot reopen,” SANParks stated.
The closures were prompted by a devastating blaze that tore through about 2,800 hectares of the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) in late April. In the aftermath, the park’s management initiated a comprehensive clean-up, post-fire hazard removal, and rehabilitation process to ensure the safety of visitors.
Some of the affected trails saw destruction of boardwalks and support structures, exposing hikers to hazardous debris such as nails and metal.
“SANParks apologises for the inconvenience caused by the closures and appreciates the public’s patience. We are working as quickly as possible, although winter weather may delay some repairs,” the agency said in a public statement.
While parts of the park might appear untouched by the flames, SANParks cautioned that reopening only some trails would create logistical challenges in managing visitor movement and maintaining safety.
“Even though some trails may look unaffected, reopening them selectively could make it difficult to control which routes people use. We also aim to avoid favoritism between different user groups, such as hikers versus mountain bikers,” the statement noted.
Aside from structural concerns, ecological considerations also influenced the decision to keep parts of Silvermine and Tokai closed. The post-fire regrowth of fynbos vegetation is currently in a sensitive early stage, and human or dog activity—including walking and trampling—could damage this delicate regeneration.
“These newly sprouted fynbos species need space and time to establish without disturbance,” SANParks explained.
The park authority said it will continue to monitor vegetation recovery and assess whether further restrictions or extended closures will be necessary to support environmental restoration.
As hikers prepare for the 1 July reopening of Tokai and Silvermine East, SANParks encourages the public to remain mindful of trail safety protocols and to respect the continued closures in place to protect both infrastructure and the ecosystem.
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