This week’s photo essay features the natural beauty of the Silvermine Nature Reserve. The reserve forms part of the Table Mountain National Park and includes part of the Cape Peninsula mountain range, from Kalk Bay to Constantiaberg.

This stunning series was captured by our Cape Town. Live it. Love it. group member Ian Junor aka ifijay.

Silvermine, an easy getaway from city life, offers some relatively gentle walks compared with the more arduous hikes up the mountain from Kirstenbosch.

Silvermine takes its name from the Silvermine River, which starts in the reserve and runs to Clovelly. This picture shows part of the boardwalk around the Silvermine reservoir.

Beauty surrounds you in the Silvermine Reserve. The fresh, flowing water is inviting – so why not take a dip to cool down after a long hike?

The reservoir dates back to 1898 and was built to supply water to the growing city of Cape Town.

Just 20 minutes away from the city centre, the reserve is an important conservation area for indigenous fynbos plants.

Do you have images of Cape Town you’d like to share with us? We’d love you to join the Cape Town. Live it. Love it. Flickr group!

Images © Ian Junor aka ifijay 2009