Steenberg Peak via Wolfkop - Silvermine East

Starting from Gate 2 at Silvermine East, this relatively easy hike begins with a short but steep, unexposed scramble up to Wolfkop. From there, you follow a circular route that takes you past Steenberg Peak with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and the coastline in the distance.

Meeting Point: Boom at furthest end of Parking Area Silvermine Gate 2

Meeting Spot: Google Maps Location

Hiking Time: 2hrs

Distance: 3.6km

Elevation: 248m

Grade: Easy

🐶 Dog friendly

Route Notes: The path is relatively easy to navigate requiring some not too challenging path finding to follow the turn-off that cuts across the top of Steenberg to the return route. The scrambling at the beginning is easily managed.

Hiking Map:Wolfkop AllTrails Map or download GPX Route

The Sticky Green Heath of Silvermine

This unusual erica urna-viridis derives its name from the Latin, urna, meaning 'an urn', and viridis, 'green', referring to the shape and colour of the flowers.

It is a rare, range restricted endemic, only occurring in the Silvermine area of the central Cape Peninsula and is often found in large and scattered colonies on Steenberg plateau across to the high ridges above Kalk Bay, and nowhere else on earth!

The sticky flowers are believed to serve as a protection against insects intent on robbing the flower of nectar by boring holes in the side of the corolla. (Ref: South African National Biodiversity Institute)

The sticky green flowers of Erica urna-viridis (Ref: Wikimedia)