Cape Verde - Hiking, Treeking, Baches - Santiago

Walking and Trekking in Cape Verde

You can hike steep up ribeiras on Santo Antao, Sao Nicolau and Santiago or explore the vulcano crates of Fogo and Brava. Unusually, the locals have been forced by the topography to construct paths and roads over mountain ridges rather than between them. As result even the most brathing and isolated walks can often be done entirely on cobbled paths and some of the best views can be enjoyed from a vehicle. Please habe a look at our international BookShop Hiking Maps & Trekking Guides Cape Verde

Sun-seekers in Cape Verde

Sun-seekers are a key target of the government, though real luxury that traditionally accompanies such holidays is available only on Sal and Santiago. The beaches have little greenery. Also, remote beaches are not necessarily save ones - so it is important to check locally before you plunge.

History & monuments in Cape Verde

Despite the archipelago's fascinating history there is little to see in form of buildings and museums. The one exception to this is on Santiago where there are a few museums and the old city of Ribeira Grande (Cidade Velha), the first European city in the tropics, complete with fort, the remains of a cathedral and numerous churches. Most island capitals have southern Euopean architecture and ambience and some have a faded Portuguese feel to them with narrow cobbled streets, ochre-tiled roofs and abundant flowers in well-tended public gardens. But don't expect to be able to fill more than a day in total with visits to monuments.

Walking Hikes in the Inland of Santiago Island

Pleasure-hikers, for whom the hikes in the steep Ribeiras of Santo Antao or the steep ascents and descents along the slopes of the Pico de Fogo are too exhausting, Santiago holds out for other brilliant trips. Also the step-safe, accustomed and experienced walker will encounter his/her challenges.

Parque Natural de Serra

The Parque Natural de Serra Malgueta builds the core of this hiking area of the Santiago Island. If you plan carefully you may often have the opportunity to hike on plateaus.

In the Parque Natural de Serra, a hiker encounters mostly highpaths. EITHER they lead down to the east coast with a wide view of the agricultural valleys of the Ribeira de Principal, the Ribeira de Sao Miguel, or the Ribeira dos Flamengos. With bright weather, you do not only see Maio in the east, but also the Pico and the Caldeira of Fogo - OR the hiker takes the highpaths in the direction of the west coast. There, one enjoys the wide view from the plateau of Assomada to the Pico da Antonia.

Santa Catarina

Also, from the plateau of Santa Catarina you can follow very interesting and enjoyable trips of different lengths.

The most popular and well-known walk is probably to the Poilon

But there are also high hikes along the Ribeira de Santa Cruz that lead to banana cooperatives of Cancelo. There are also unique and charming hikes along the Ribeira da Picos that lead to San Thiago Major / Pedra Badejo.

Parque Natural de Pico da Antonia

The third stretch of the hiking area extends around the Pico da Antonia and the Parque Natural with the same name.
According to your preferances you can find a span of walks that vary in degree of difficulty from easy to very difficult.
Whether you face the challenges of the Pico da Antonia - assisted by a local guide (strongly recommended).
Whether on your walks and hikes you would like to discover Rui Vaz and its surrounding nature in the wide, fertile and - some periods - very green valleys of Orgaos OR would prefer the heights of the Monte Tchota with the capverdian summer breeze.
Whether you would just like to visit the botanical garden (INIDA) or also see the Artesanato of S. Domingos.

a trek - long arduous journey - to make a long or difficult journey, especially on foot (trekking --> spend time walking, especially in mountains and for enjoyment and interest)
a hike - long walk in the country, for pleasure (hiking --> the activity of going for long walks in the country for pleasure)
footpath - a path that is made for people to walk along, especially in the country
track - rough path or road, usually one that has not been built but that has been made by people walking there
trail - a path through the countryside, a route that is followed for particular purpose ( a tourist trail)
route - from A to B, a way you follow to get from one place to another, a fixed way along which a bus, train, (walker) regularly travels (walks)
found in oxford advanced learner´s dictionary