This walking holiday to Cape Verde takes in the island of Santo Antão to offer hikers an exhilarating mixture of coastal and mountain walking among its volcanic landscapes.
- Travel the spectacular Corda Road
- Visit Mindelo, home of the singer Cesária Évora
- Stay in authentic Cape Verdean accommodation
- Take in the arid mountains, green valleys & azure ocean
Santo Antão, the second-largest island in the group, is a place of dizzyingly spectacular mountains separated by vertiginous gorges and fertile valleys that offer excellent walking. If anywhere puts the verde into Cape Verde, this is it! The Ilha das Montanhas (island of mountains), as Santo Antão is nicknamed, has around 50 species of endangered flora - the most of all the islands - although many of these are found elsewhere. A couple of species are, however, endemic to the island.
However, on the short ferry crossing from neighbouring São Vicente the westernmost island of the archipelago gives no impression of just how green it is. In fact, the north-east area - the most populous part - gets sufficient rainfall for forests to cloak the hilltops and tropical vegetation to flourish in the warm and steamy valleys. As a result, this region is very popular with hikers and trekking is fast becoming a mainstay of the island’s economy.
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1: Arrive São Vicente
On arrival at São Vicente island, transfer to your accommodation in Mindelo, five kilometres away.
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Day 2: Ferry to Santo Antão, then walk in Paul Valley
Take the ferry to Santo Antão island (one hour), then transfer by taxi from Porto Novo to Vila das Pombas to hike in the fertile Paul Valley, one of the greenest on the island with terraces planted with sugar cane, bananas, coffee and other tropical crops.
Here you can enjoy fine views and stop to sample the local firewater before ending with a short transfer to Ponta do Sol for an overnight stay.
Walking distance: 8 km | Ascent: 550 m | Descent: 400 m
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Day 3: Coastal path from Fontainhas to Cruzinha
Today you transfer to Fontainhas for a coastal hike. In places the trail is cut through solid rock, before you then pick up the path that connects a chain of abandoned villages. Shortly before Cruzinha you can walk along an inviting beach of black sand, and continue to Pedracin village for a two-night stay.
Walking distance: 15 km | Ascent: 650 m | Descent: 650 m
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Day 4: Walk in Ribeira Grande Valley
Today's circular hike is in the attractive Ribeira Grande valley, past colourful gardens and terraces cultivated with bananas, mangos, sweet potatoes, guavas and coffee. You continue through the pretty countryside to return to Pedracin.
Walking distance: 15 km | Ascent: 500 m | Descent: 500 m
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Day 5: Walk through João Alfonso Valley
Today you set off through scattered hamlets whose terraces are cultivated with bananas, coffee, cassava and cabbages. On reaching Corda village, the landscape changes to ridges covered with forests of mimosa, pine and eucalyptus. Transfer through fields of volcanic lava to the imposing highland cirque of Ribeira das Patas, right in the centre of the island, to stay two nights in Curral das Vacas.
Ascent: 900 m | Descent: 300 m
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Day 6: Curral das Vacas & Alto Mira walk
This morning you climb towards a series of ridges overlooked by basalt needles, onto a trail that snakes between fertile plantations and bare lava walls several metres high. On the descent into Ribeira Alta Valley, the terraces with sugar cane and bananas contrast with the barren rockscapes higher up.
Walking distance: 9 km | Ascent: 500 m | Descent: 500 m
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Day 7: Transfer to São Vicente; Praia Grande coastal walk
After breakfast, you transfer to Porto Novo Harbour and take the ferry back to Mindelo on São Vicente Island. You have some free time to explore the market town of Mindelo before meeting your driver, who transfers you across the island via the central oasis to Praia Grande. From here you traverse a coastal trail through solidified lava fields to the village of Calhau where you transfer back to Mindelo for your final night on Cape Verde.
Walking distance: 6 km | Ascent: 140 m | Descent: 140 m
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Day 8: Depart São Vicente
Transfer to São Vicente airport and check in for your flight home.
Price and Other Information
- Duration and price excluding international flights: 8 days from £769 per person
- Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 8 days from £1,869 per person
- Single room supplement: From £110
- Walking grade: Moderate
- Guiding: Self-Guided
- Max alt: Low
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When to go: View Dates & Prices
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Route map:
View map 
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What’s included
- Hotel x 2 nights, guesthouse x 5 nights
- 7 breakfasts, 6 picnic lunches & 5 dinners
Next Steps
| Year | Daily Departures† | Price From (Exc. Flights) | Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| All prices are per person. † Daily departures subject to availability. | |||
| 2024 | From 2 Jan to 31 May | £799 | Book or Enquire |
| 2024 | From 1 Jun to 30 Jun | £769 | Book or Enquire |
| 2024 | From 1 Oct to 30 Nov | £829 | Book or Enquire |
If you can’t see the holiday or departure date that you are looking for please contact us. We may be in the process of finalising further departures and are often able to arrange a holiday for you according to your own requirements.
