Visitors

Explore safe, scenic hikes in Cape Town’s top nature reserves, including Kirstenbosch, Silvermine and Cape Point, all within the Table Mountain National Park.

These nature reserve hikes are ideal for visitors looking to experience Cape Town hiking trails without the need for a guide. Routes are well-defined, frequented by locals, and suitable for safe independent hiking.

The selected routes listed below are easy to navigate, using the AllTrails app or downloaded GPX routes. All the reserves have an entrance fee – see details under the individual hikes.

Cecilia Waterfall

Kirstenbosch Hikes

Experience some of the most popular Kirstenbosch hiking trails, combining botanical garden paths, forest routes, and mountain hikes on Table Mountain’s eastern slopes. Known for its stunning botanical gardens, Kirstenbosch is a must-visit on its own. It also is a popular starting point for some of the best-loved routes, including the Cecilia Waterfall and Skeleton Gorge hiking trails.

Kirstenbosch Contour Path – this Kirstenbosch Hiking Trail leads up through the gardens to the contour path, winding around the mountain and passing the Skeleton Gorge waterfall before looping back.

Cecilia Waterfall – hike through Kirstenbosch Gardens to the Contour Path and Cecilia Gorge for impressive views of Cape Town and a beautiful moss-covered waterfall.

Silvermine Skyline Path

Silvermine Hikes

About 40 minutes from central Cape Town, the Silvermine Nature Reserve offers a variety of hikes ranging from easy to moderately challenging, all within a peaceful natural reserve.

The reserve includes the Silvermine Dam, which is an excellent post-hike swimming spot.

The Amphitheatre Trail – the Upper Silvermine Amphitheatre Trail is a great high loop trail around Silvermine Dam with beautiful views towards Noordhoek and Simonstown.

Silvermine River and Steenberg Ridge – a scenic walk along the Upper Silvermine River, beginning at the main gate and tracing the path along Steenberg Ridge, with an optional swim in the dam.

Silvermine Skyline Path – the Skyline Path is a circular Upper Silvermine Hiking Trail that offers spectacular views of Hout Bay, beginning and ending at the Silvermine reservoir.

Cape Point Hikes

Located at the southern tip of the Cape Peninsula about 90 minutes from Cape Town, Cape Point offers a series of unforgettable hikes in a remote and scenic environment.

All Cape Point hikes listed here take place within the protected Cape Point Nature Reserve and follow established routes suitable for independent hikers in normal conditions.

While the main areas of Cape Point can be crowded, these Cape Point hikes are more off-the-beaten-path and frequented mainly by locals. They are ideal to combine with a visit to the seaside suburbs of Kalk Bay and Simonstown, which also offers guided kayak trips to view the African Penguins.

Antoniesgat – from Buffels Bay in Cape Point, follow the trail above the beach navigating grassy and rocky areas for incredible views.

The Shipwreck Trail – an excellent beach and inland hike where sightings of Bontebok are certain. Ostriches and Baboons are sometimes seen.

Sirkelsvlei Trail – hike the Sirkelsvlei loop to the region's largest freshwater pan and experience the rugged landscape and beautiful fynbos of Cape Point.

Kanonkop and Venus Pool – this part coastal, part inland hike offers great views from Kanonkop and a swim in a beautiful large natural tidal pool teeming with sea anemones and starfish.

These routes form part of a wider collection of Cape Point hiking trails in the South Peninsula.