Top 6 Hiking in Santiago

1.Serra Malagueta: Principal Valley Hike & Lunch with Locals

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 64 reviews · 7 hours · from $111Our pick

Travel from Praia into Serra Malagueta National Park for a moderate 4.5-kilometer downhill hike through streams, farms, and mountain villages. Share a fish or meat lunch with a local family in Mato Dento, then return by the east coast. Guides may include Peter, Elton, or Katia, depending on the date.

“I really enjoyed this tour if you want to see the locals life closer and enjoy the very tasty meal of a local family and the beautiful nature and animals and plantations you get to book this hike plus Peter the Guide was the cherry on top making everything so smooth, helping in every detail and gave so much information about the whole country and history and fauna and Flora, it was overall perfect!! Thank you :)”

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2.Serra Malagueta & Tarrafal Beach Trek Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 61 reviews · 8 hours · from $106

Travel from Praia into Serra Malagueta Natural Park for a moderate 8.5-kilometre loop at high altitude. Your guide explains Santiago’s plants, birds, customs, and conservation work before a picnic and swim at Tarrafal Beach. Guides may include Carlos, Elton, Americano, Elisanto, or Elisandro, with English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese offered.

“Elisanto was an awesome guide and I will rate it a 10/10”

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3.Calabaceira Valley Trek & Visit to Cidade Velha

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 49 reviews · 4 hours · from $82

Travel from Praia to Calabaceira for an easy downhill trek through sugar cane, baobabs, and tropical plants, with a stop at a local rum distillery. Then explore Cidade Velha, including Banana Street, the former slave market, Nossa Senhora do Rosário church, and São Filipe Fortress with a guide in your choice of English, French, Portuguese, or Spanish.

“Merci à Katia pour cette belle balade au milieu d'une nature luxuriante.”

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4.Monte Tchota Natural Park to Pico d’Antónia Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 43 reviews · 6 hours · from $100

Leave Praia or São Jorge dos Órgãos for a demanding 9-kilometer trek through Monte Txota Natural Park to Pico d’Antónia, Santiago’s highest point. Your guide, possibly Elder, leads the route in English, French, Spanish, or Portuguese. Expect narrow, tilted paths, about 660 meters of ascent, and wide views toward Maio and Fogo when skies are clear.

“It was great, the end was though but overall a great exercise and worth it!”

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5.Serra to Principal Hike & Lunch with locals

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 41 reviews · 5 hours · from $70Best value

You’ll hike downhill from Serra Malagueta Natural Park to Principal Valley with a guide such as Alex, Ivana, or Luis, learning about Santiago’s plants, animals, and culture along the way. The five-hour outing ends with a home-cooked lunch by a local family, then a scenic drive back to Tarrafal. Good shoes are essential.

“Luìs est un super guide !! Il nous a permis d'en apprendre beaucoup sur l'histoire de son magnifique pays et particulièrement de Santiago. Grâce à lui nous avons pu faire la rencontre d'habitants très chaleureux et généreux. La randonnée est incroyable. Et le petit plus de Luìs au-delà de sa gentillesse et son authenticité est son niveau de français ! Mille mercis Luìs !”

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6.Serra Malagueta Natural Park Hike & Relaxing Swim at Tarrafal Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · from $104Top rated

Leave Praia for a moderate three-hour loop through Serra Malagueta Natural Park, reaching about 1,075 meters. Your guide leads the way, points out local plants and birds, and stops for mountain views before a picnic and swim at Tarrafal Beach. Small groups are limited to eight.

“Greatly arranged tour, the guide Alfonso was much fun and great to go on hike with, enjoyed a lot the nature and authentic experiences at Tarrafal Village.. . Great small local agency with a heart, highly recommend”

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