Silvermine East Gate to Sunbird Center via Silvermine Valley – (Silvermine East NR – Cape Town)

This recording of an easy variation in Silvermine East was a trail cut short due to excessive February heat. The initial plan was to circle back up to the Silvermine East gate via the old Wa Pad or Oxwagon route for what was to be a relatively easy 12km circuit, I hope to return at some point to complete this. The days plans were cut short due to scorching temperatures, a late start and a lack of water. Silvermine is generally cooler and receives a sea breeze but this day, even with the assistance of altitude, Silvermine was a few degrees warmer than already baking Cape Town. The slight breeze that was blowing did not seem to get down into Silvermine Valley which made conditions uncomfortable. At this point in the year after so little rain the Silvermine Waterfall which was a torrent after heavy rains in Winter of 2023 had all but nearly dried up and so had the tributaries and nearby streams which made refilling limited water capacity a challenge. Conditions aside this is always a pleasant Nature reserve to walk in, interesting flora but the authorities will need to do something about the Port Jackson Willow infestation lower down. The variation down to the Sunbird center is an easy gradual decline and the entire trail recorded here can be done in just over an hour. If doing a traverse, it is always better to leave a car at your end point and then take one to the start and fetch it once the hike is done. I wouldn’t rely on Uber in this area as it can be completely unreliable. You could continue up the old Wa Pad to return or turn around and return along the same trail to reach the gate at the start. Silvermine is generally safe but be on the lookout for suspicious activity and leave any valuables at home. Report any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities. There are security checkpoints at either side of this trail.