Silvertree Trail

The longest circular trail at 7,75 km, which takes approximately 4 to 5 hours to complete. The trail starts and ends at the Rycroft Gate. It crosses the entire Kirstenbosch Estate from Cecilia Forest in the south to Lubberts Gift in the north, via the 300 m contour path, and returns along forest roads and paths. This trail provides exceptional views across the Cape Flats to False Bay, and has a moderate exertion rating. The trail is named after the silvertree, Leucadendron argenteum, which are abundant along the first part of the trail in one of the few remaining natural populations of this species on Table Mountain.

Smuts up Skeleton Gorge

This is a 5,5 hour hike starting at the Fragrance Garden and following Skeleton Stream up the gorge to the back table. The exertion rating is very high as the climb up the gorge is very steep with a ladder and ropes to assist in places, but the effort is worth it.

Once on top, you can either go south (left) around Cleft Peak and back to Kirstenbosch down Nursery Ravine past Castle Rock, or north (right) to Maclear's Beacon, the highest point on Table Mountain at 1085,9 m a.s.l..

From here, retrace your steps and descend to Kirstenbosch via Skeleton Gorge or Nursery Ravine.

Nursery Ravine

This ravine takes its name from the forestry nursery that was established at its head in 1893 and in use until 1910. The remains of the dry stone wall, reportedly built to mitigate the violence of the south-east winds, can still be seen. The nursery was used to raise oaks, Fraxinus species, Cryptomeria japonica, Acacia melanoxylon, Acacia mearnsii, Pinus species, pencil cedar, Robinia species, Catalpa species, Eucalyptus species, Cupressus macrocarpa, turkey oak, elm, plane, walnut, chestnut and alder, several of which still occur there. The headwaters of the Liesbeek rise in Nursery Ravine.

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