Recreation
Lower Tokai Park offers something for everyone
Tokai Park provides a safe and secure environment for walkers, dog-walkers, runners, horse-riders and cyclists. Many of these activities require permits. Please check the SANParks website for details.
Fynbos Walking/Running Trails
There are several paths through the Fynbos at Lower Tokai Park, and a perimeter walk (Bridle Path) which is mostly shaded. Do watch out when walking under the Gum trees, which are known to shed their branches.
The paths through the Fynbos are called: Candelabra, Kalkoentjie, Fountainbush, Brightfig and Silkypuff – after some of the beautiful Cape Flats Sand Fynbos species.
Walking from the Tokai Restoration Trail (which starts at the Lions Gate carpark) along the Brightfig trail to the Silkypuff trail will take you to The Mound where there is a viewing deck which affords beautiful views of the park.
The Main Drag is a sandy path which currently divides the plantation (roughly) from the Fynbos at Lower Tokai Park.
A beautiful river – which is also undergoing rehabilitation – runs along the Main Drag, and the best time to see this in full flow is towards the middle or end of winter (July/August).
Alternative Local Shaded Trails
The suggested trails are 20-35 minutes long, but some are end to end. They are:
- Doordrift Walk (Doordrift Rd Plumstead northwest to Alphen Hotel, along Diep River, and over the detention ponds): 25-30 minutes
- Alphen Trail (Alphen Hotel west to Le Sueur Meadow, along Diep River): 20-25 minutes – popular with dog walkers
- Diep River Trail (Le Sueur Meadow west to Cecilia Forest at Southern Cross Drive): 25-35 min – lovely vlei and shaded walk
- Klaasenbosch Trail (Le Suer Meadow north along Klaasenbosch River to Klaasenbosch – Kirstenbosch Rycroft Gate): 30-45 minutes – lovely shaded walk, with a planted “indigenous” section wherein some of the plants are named (i.e. indigenous to South Africa, not the Peninsula)
- Brommersvlei Walk (an isolated east-west walk along the Brommersvlei River and Bel Ombre Meadow): 20-25 minutes [Note: dogs must be on leads during spring, summer and autumn to protect breeding birds]
- Die Hel Nature Area (a dell of overgrown Fynbos and invading forest under pines, with superb flat walks and steep alternatives): 45-55 minutes [Note: When there was more Fynbos, this area was renowned for its Knysna Scrub Warblers, but is now overgrown and is unlikely to be regularly burned (approximately every 10 years) to maintain the Fynbos because of the houses upslope]
- Grootboschkloof Trail (from Firgrove Way north to Spaanschemat Road along the Grootbos River): 20-25 minutes
- Spaanschemat River Trail (from Firgrove Way west to Spaanschemat River Road at Peddlers along the Spaanschemat River): 25-35 minutes
- Silverhurst Trail (after a five-minute walk from Peddlers across Constantia Main Road to Silverhurst): 30-35 minutes
- Keysers River Trail (from Firgrove Way south along the Keysers River to the Cycle Track – and Tokai Park – and Tokai Lismore Avenue): 30-35 minutes [Note: This trail links, by way of Tokai Park, to Tokai Manor, the Arboretum and the Elephants Eye Path, and via the Constantiaberg contour path to Constantia Nek, Cecilia and to Kirstenbosch – for those wanting more strenuous hikes or cycles]
Trail running
Start, end or break up your day with an invigorating run through some of the world’s most critically endangered plant species by tackling the STRAVA-rated Tokai Park Loop and Figure of 8 Biodiversity trail runs. Click each image caption for more details.
Horse-riding
Tokai Park is used on a daily basis for cross-country, hacking and trail riding. Access is gained off Zwaanswyk road, from Uitsig and through the Arboretum main gate. Horses are allowed on the Bridle Path and the Main Drag at Lower Tokai Park. Please keep your dog under control when horses are passing, and give way.
Cycling
There are some 21 cycling trails at Tokai Park, divided into three categories depending on their difficulty.
- Green graded trails: easy flowing single tracks (beginners)
- Blue graded trails: for those with more experience (they include obstacles)
- Black graded trails: for expert riders
Permits are required to use the mountain biking trails at Tokai Park. Please observe the park rules and yield to walkers and horses.
Rules at Tokai Park
Please make sure that you understand and follow the rules at Tokai Park. This will ensure that recreational activities remain safe and pleasant for everyone.
