Klein Tuinkop via Dassieskasteel Traverse - Silvermine Hike
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The Dassieskasteel Traverse is an adventurous Silvermine hike off Dead Man's Path in Lower Silvermine, located in the Silvermine Nature Reserve in Cape Town’s South Peninsula. This Silvermine hiking trail forms a moderately challenging circular route around and up Klein Tuinkop, featuring easy rock scrambling and a final ascent through a natural hole in the cliff face.
Start — Begin from Silvermine Gate 2 in the Silvermine Nature Reserve, hiking past the Silvermine Waterfall and onto Dead Man’s Path. Turn left toward the cliffs to start the Dassieskasteel Traverse.
Traverse Section — The route curves back toward Ou Kaapse Weg, wrapping around the front of Klein Tuinkop and passing Ystervarkgrot. A short scramble leads through a hole in the cliff to reach the top of Klein Tuinkop and join the main trail.
Return — Continue past The Stone Holes (optional detour), head toward the "helicopter pad", then take the left path to descend via Bertie’s Balcony before returning to the Gate 2 parking area.
📍 Meeting Point — Boom at the furthest end of the parking area, Silvermine Gate 2
📌 Meeting Spot — Google Maps
⏱️ Hiking Time — 4hrs
📏 Distance — 7.9km
⛰️ Elevation — 317m
🟠 Grade — Moderately Strenuous with some easy scrambling (no exposure)
🐾🐾 — Not dog friendly
Route Notes — An adventurous Silvermine hike with easy scrambling, including a short crawl through a wide cave. Route-finding skills are required, especially after rounding the front of Klein Tuinkop. Follow cairns carefully and climb through the hole in the cliff to reach the top, or use an alternative easy ascent further toward the Kalk Bay side. The path can be difficult to follow — going with a guide is recommended.
The Stone Holes of Klein Tuinkop
If you’re walking across the top of Klein Tuinkop, keep an eye out for a small cairn marked turn-off to a faint side track that leads to one of the ridge’s most interesting features: a network of stone holes and arches.
Numerous hollows and passages wind between large sandstone blocks, making this an engaging place to stop, explore and have a break.
These formations form part of the Cape Fold Mountains. The bedrock consists mainly of Table Mountain Group sandstone, with older Malmesbury Group rocks beneath. Long-term weathering and erosion along natural fractures have created the caves, tunnels and overhangs.
To visit the Stone Holes, turn off the main path at this location marker and head for a short distance diagonally to the left in the direction of the Silvermine Parking.
Looking for more Silvermine hikes? Explore our full list of Silvermine Hiking Trails in the Silvermine Nature Reserve, including ridge walks and scrambling routes.
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