Capo Verde Coastal Hike

Today is dedicated to São Vicente beyond Mindelo, from its highest peak to its volcanic coastline. Your first stop is Monte Verde, the island's highest point and a wonderful viewpoint over Mindelo and the surrounding islands. From the heights, descend towards the sea and Baía das Gatas, a peaceful, naturally sheltered bay where locals come to swim and relax.

The journey continues beside the wild Praia Grande coastline until you reach Calhau, a fishing village set against an almost lunar landscape of dark volcanic rock. Those who would like to explore on foot can add a short optional walk of around 45 minutes around an ancient coastal volcano, where solidified lava formations and natural blowholes reveal the island's volcanic origins.

On the way back to Mindelo, pass through the oasis of Calhau and see another side of this seemingly arid island: small cultivated plots where local farmers grow fruit and vegetables to sell in the city's markets.

You will have a driver for the day's exploration of São Vicente. The driver is not a private guide; if you would like a guided experience with additional insight into the island, a private guide can be arranged on request.

Meals included: None

This morning, leave São Vicente behind and take the one-hour ferry to Santo Antão, an island of deep valleys, volcanic ridges and terraced farmland. Your private driver-guide will meet you in Porto Novo for a full day exploring the remote western side of the island.

The journey begins along a coastline shaped by volcanic activity, with ancient lava flows, dark dunes and unusual white pozzolan deposits creating an ever-changing landscape. From here, climb into Ribeira das Patas, where immense volcanic dikes frame green fields and cultivated terraces, before crossing the Alto Mira Pass towards a succession of hidden valleys and small rural villages.

Part of today's experience is yours to choose: two different hiking options allow you to discover the valley on foot at the pace and distance that suit you best. Weather and trail conditions permitting, you will also make your way to Ribeira da Cruz, a wonderfully wild stretch of coast where basalt columns meet a secluded black-sand beach.

After a day between the volcanic coast and the fertile interior of Santo Antão, transfer to your accommodation.

Meals included: Breakfast and picnic

This morning, leave São Vicente behind and take the one-hour ferry to Santo Antão, an island of deep valleys, volcanic ridges and terraced farmland. Your private driver-guide will meet you in Porto Novo for a full day exploring the remote western side of the island.

The journey begins along a coastline shaped by volcanic activity, with ancient lava flows, dark dunes and unusual white pozzolan deposits creating an ever-changing landscape. From here, climb into Ribeira das Patas, where immense volcanic dikes frame green fields and cultivated terraces, before crossing the Alto Mira Pass towards a succession of hidden valleys and small rural villages.

Part of today's experience is yours to choose: two different hiking options allow you to discover the valley on foot at the pace and distance that suit you best. Weather and trail conditions permitting, you will also make your way to Ribeira da Cruz, a wonderfully wild stretch of coast where basalt columns meet a secluded black-sand beach.

After a day between the volcanic coast and the fertile interior of Santo Antão, transfer to your accommodation.

Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

Distance: 4,5 km or 5,5 km

Elevation Gain: + 212 / - 453 m or + 343 /- 483 m 

Today brings you into a completely different side of Santo Antão. After a beautiful drive along the coast, climb towards the Paul Valley, where the island's volcanic terrain suddenly gives way to an extraordinary patchwork of green terraces and tropical vegetation.

Coffee plants, banana and orange trees, guavas, sugar cane and vegetable gardens cover the fertile slopes, making Paul the greenest valley in the Cape Verde archipelago. Two different hiking options give you the freedom to discover this remarkable landscape on foot, choosing the route that best matches your preferred pace.

Later in the afternoon, continue towards the Ribeira Grande Valley and your accommodation for the evening.

Meals included: Breakfast, picnic and dinner 

Distance: 4 km or 6 km

Elevation Gain: +130 / -350 m or +550 / -750 m  

A day of valleys, villages and dramatic Atlantic scenery begins in Caibros, where suspended irrigation channels reveal the ingenuity behind farming in Santo Antão's steep terrain. From here, continue through the green upper landscapes of the Garça Valley, looking down towards its reservoir as you make your way across the island.

The route leads onwards to flower-filled Chã de Igreja and then to Cruzinha, a remote fishing village set right on the edge of the ocean. The Atlantic is particularly impressive here, with waves breaking against the wild volcanic coast.

Those who want to spend more time on the trail can set off on an optional hike from Cruzinha towards Fontainhas, with the possibility of continuing as far as Ponta do Sol. It is one of Cape Verde's most spectacular coastal walks, following the contours of Santo Antão's dramatic shoreline.

Later, visit Fontainhas, a colourful village clinging to the mountainside above the sea, before continuing to Ponta do Sol, where you will spend the night.

Meals included: Breakfast

Distance: 10 km

Elevation Gain: -10/+300 m

Today is all about rural Santo Antão. A morning transfer takes you into Ribeira da Torre, a spectacular volcanic valley where sheer cliffs and rocky formations rise above an intensely cultivated landscape.

Set out on foot along old trails and traditional irrigation canals, discovering how water and agriculture have shaped life in the valley. The route leads towards Rabo Curto, a small farming village, before descending among fields of sugar cane and yams — a chance to see the fertile, working landscape of Santo Antão from up close.

Two different hiking options are available today, so you can choose how far you would like to walk and enjoy the valley at your own pace. After the hike, transfer back to your accommodation.

Meals included: Breakfast and picnic

Distance: 5 km or 9 km

Elevation Gain: +850 / -850 m or +450 / -450 m 

This morning is yours to enjoy Ponta do Sol at leisure. Once the island’s main port and airport, today it is a relaxed coastal village where narrow streets descend towards the ocean and fishing boats still set out and return throughout the day. Spend a few unhurried hours exploring, or simply find a spot by the water and watch village life unfold.

Later, set off towards Porto Novo along the Route des Corde, the historic cobblestone road that crosses Santo Antão’s mountainous interior. At 5:00 pm, take the ferry across to São Vicente and, once back on the island, transfer to Mindelo for your final overnight stay.

For a more active end to your time on Santo Antão, you can instead add an optional hike beginning at the Cova crater. Walk along a panoramic ridge through pine and mimosa trees, small forested areas and cultivated fields of maize, beans and sweet potatoes. When the skies are clear, the trail offers far-reaching views over both sides of Santo Antão — a fitting final perspective on the island before returning to São Vicente. If you choose to hike, an early start from Ponta do Sol is recommended.

Meals included: Breakfast and picnic

Distance: 7,5 km

Elevation Gain: +400 / -400 m

Transfer to the airport according to your international flight schedule. 

Meals included: Breakfast only 

For our trips, we always choose accommodation with private rooms and private bathrooms. In rare cases, shared accommodations or shared bathrooms may be provided, so we recommend carefully checking the inclusions section to understand the type of accommodation included in the trip you are interested in.  

We place great importance on the choice of accommodations and select hotels with care and attention. We understand how essential it is to rest well after a day of walking. We always prefer cozy and characteristic establishments, preferably family-run, that fully embody the spirit of the place and offer hospitality with courtesy and comfort.  

Where, due to the nature of the route, accommodation options are limited, we choose the one that best aligns with our standards.

This is a Moderate walking trip, best suited to travellers with a good level of fitness and some experience of walking on varied terrain. Santo Antão is a mountainous island, so you can expect regular ascents and descents as you explore its valleys, highlands and coastline.

The trails are well-used but generally unmarked, following established paths through volcanic and rural landscapes. You should therefore be comfortable walking on natural terrain, although no technical hiking skills are required.

What makes the trip particularly flexible is the choice available on several days: different hiking options allow less experienced walkers to choose a shorter or gentler route, while those looking for more of a challenge can take on the longer alternative. This means you can adapt individual days to your energy and ability while still enjoying the full journey through São Vicente and Santo Antão.