Santo Antão Island: Trails, Green Valleys, and Wild Cabo Verde
Santo Antão Island Trails, Green Valleys is the most spectacular island in Cabo Verde in terms of scenery. Deep valleys, jagged mountains, and lush vegetation make it the go-to destination for hikers and nature lovers.
How to get there
Santo Antão has no airport with regular commercial flights; access is by ferry from Mindelo, on São Vicente, to the port of Porto Novo. The crossing takes about an hour, with two to four daily connections operated by CV Interilhas and Nôs Ferry. It’s recommended to buy tickets in advance and confirm schedules the day before, since they can vary (especially on Sundays). If you’re prone to seasickness, bring preventive medication.
What to visit
Ribeira Grande and Ribeira da Torre are terraced valleys planted with sugarcane, coffee, and tropical fruit, showcasing the ingenuity of the island’s mountain agriculture.
The Cova–Paúl–Ribeira da Torre trail, also known as the Paúl Valley Trail, is one of the most breathtaking hikes in the archipelago: it starts at a volcanic crater (Cova) and descends to Cidade das Pombas on the coast. Transport to Cova is needed to start the hike.
The Ponta do Sol–Cruzinha trail, considered by many hikers to be one of the best treks in Cabo Verde, is a linear route of about 15.5 km, taking 5 to 6 hours with an intermediate difficulty level, passing through the village of Formiguinhas.
Ponta do Sol, a coastal village at the island’s northern tip, has a lighthouse and dramatic ocean views, along with good restaurants featuring live music.
Fontainhas is one of the archipelago’s most photographed villages, perched on a steep hillside and accessible only on foot.
Practical tips
- Buy a trail map near the port of Porto Novo before you start exploring.
- Instead of public buses, the most common form of land transport is the “aluguer” (a shared collective van).
- Temperatures are mild along the coast, but in higher areas fog and wind can make hikes feel colder — pack accordingly.
- Consider travel insurance, especially if you plan on doing mountain trails.
- Many travelers combine Santo Antão with São Vicente in a single trip, since the ferry connection is quick and frequent.
Who Santo Antão is for
Santo Antão is ideal for active travelers who don’t mind hiking several hours a day in exchange for mountain scenery, lush valleys, and remote villages off the usual tourist trail.
