Hiking Club and Helping Hands Rebuild Silvermine Lookout After Fires

Photo Credit: Friends of Table Mountain

A hiking group said no to letting go of Silvermine’s best views, after a fire destroyed the popular lookout point. Helping hands joined in to help rebuild!

Cape Town, South Africa (26 June 2026) – The Blackburn Ravine lookout deck, which is perched high above Hout Bay and Chapman’s Peak, was sadly destroyed during the devastating fires that swept through Silvermine and surrounding areas in the Cape’s record fire season earlier this year.

It was a loss for the many hikers and adventurers who made use of the scenic spot to stop, catch their breath and take in the views across the Peninsula.

But then, something good happened.

Rather than allowing the fires to be the landmark’s last chapter, members of the Walkie-Talkies hiking group decided to take action instead!

The group raised the funds needed to rebuild the deck before asking Friends of Table Mountain (FoTM) to help coordinate the project. Working alongside SANParks’ Honorary Rangers and the Walkie-Talkies, FoTM helped source the timber and other materials needed to make the rebuild possible.

Last weekend, volunteers from the Walkie-Talkies, Honorary Rangers, Trail Apostles and Friends of Table Mountain all carried timber, tools and equipment up the mountain before rebuilding the viewing platform by hand!

It was a labour of love and community.

“Thanks to their collective effort, visitors to Blackburn Ravine can once again stop to catch their breath, soak up the spectacular views across Hout Bay and the Peninsula, and enjoy a landmark that has been restored through the commitment and generosity of the hiking community.” FoTM shared.

The organisation thanks everyone who gave up their weekend, energy and skills to rebuild the popular viewing deck.

“Friends of Table Mountain extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed their time, energy, expertise and generosity to make this project possible. Special thanks go to Stephen Floyd, Rene Craig and Leanne Mitchell for their leadership, commitment and countless hours of work behind the scenes, as well as to the Trail Apostles and the many volunteers who willingly shouldered timber, tools and equipment up the mountain.” shares FoTM.