The peaks of Santo Antão with a guide

⛴️ We take a boat between Mindelo and Porto Novo before being driven to Cha de Fejual, where our hike begins. We start by climbing Topo de Coroa (1979m). In this protected area, impressive lunar landscapes surround us, and we enjoy beautiful views of the volcanic cones and all the way to the sea. In the late afternoon, we reach the village of Norte, where we spend the night in a guesthouse.

We hike down to Cha de Morte and then head towards the Alto Mira valley. We cross the ridge overlooking Bordeira de Norte, from where we can clearly see the Ribeira das Patas crater. After a short transfer by shared taxi (aluguer), we arrive at Alto Mira III, a small village perched on its promontory, surrounded by terraces, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding volcanic walls and the valley. We settle in at our host Amadeu's place for the night.

We leave the village of Alto Mira and climb the slopes of Forquinha, a landscape dotted with volcanic discs, creating a truly unique scene. Next, we descend towards the town of João Bento, crossing a valley rich in cultivated fields. We then ascend a winding path to the Espadané plateau, a high plateau in the heart of the island, dotted with mimosa and acacia trees. On a clear day, the views are breathtaking. We arrive at the Lagoa plateau at the end of the day, where we spend the night in a guesthouse . Feel free to bring notebooks and pens with you.

Today, a change of scenery! We hike first on the Lagoa plateau , heavily wooded with pine and acacia trees that thrive in the arid climate. We then take a small path to Lin de Corco, and then on to Cha de Mato, which leads us to the charming village of Xôxô. At Cha de Mato, we enjoy a lovely view over the entire Ribeira da Torre valley. The lower altitude and the approach to the northeastern valleys, swept by the trade winds, offer a radically different landscape, with banana plantations in abundance. A shared taxi (aluguer) takes us from Xôxô to Ribeira Grande, and then on to Vila das Pombas, a small village nestled on the ocean's edge, at the entrance to the Paul Valley. We spend the night in a guesthouse overlooking the ocean , lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves.

After a very short transfer, we set off on a hike in Cape Verde's most lush valley: the Paul Valley. From its mimosa-covered ridges to the heart of its coffee and banana plantations, we discover the intimacy of its traditional thatched cottages, still crafted by the locals. We descend into the heart of the now-cultivated Cova crater , among pines and eucalyptus trees. A magnificent palette of colors unfolds before us as we enjoy a panoramic view of the summit of Pico da Cruz, the Paul Valleys, and all the way to the sea. We cross a pine forest to reach our accommodation in Pico da Cruz , another high point on the island, where we stay with Manuela .

Our last day in Cape Verde takes us through the verdant valleys of Santo Antão , all the way to Ribeira do Penedo. The descent is through forests, and we finish on the island's characteristic cobbled paths.

⛴️ From Porto Novo, we take the ferry to Mindelo and take the opportunity to visit Cesária Évora's birthplace. Free evening and last night in Mindelo. Dinner on your own in town.