Cape Verde · HIKING & TREKKING

The 15 Best Hikes in Cape Verde

40 tours  ·  from $51 a head

The walking is on the green islands and the volcano, not the flat ones. These 15 cover Santo Antão’s valleys, Monte Verde above Mindelo, Serra Malagueta and the Fogo summit, with distance, ascent and price.

Fogo Island: Pico do Fogo Volcano Summit Hike - What the summit gives you
Fogo Volcano Tours, Hiking & Trekking, Tour Reviews, Tours in Fogo

Fogo Island: Pico do Fogo Volcano Summit Hike

1.Pico do Fogo Volcano Summit Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 92 reviews · 6 - 7 hours · from $51Our pick

Join a local guide such as Nezito or Junior for a 6 to 7 hour climb from Chã das Caldeiras to Pico do Fogo, Cape Verde’s highest point. Hotel pickup, guiding, and a thrilling ash descent are included. Bring sturdy hiking boots, plenty of water, and a picnic.

“Amazing experience to sleep in the Caldeira and then do the hike. The way down through the lava ash with the view of your feet, the lava, the village, the caldeira, the ocean and the cloud is something you will never forget!”

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Beaches, Villages and Monte Verde (excludes city) - Calhau’s farms, wells, and old windmills
City Tours, Hiking & Trekking, Hiking in São Vicente, Tour Reviews, Tours in São Vicente

Beaches, Villages and Monte Verde (excludes city)

2.Beaches, Villages and Monte Verde (excludes city)

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 87 reviews · 5 hours · from $82

Spend five hours touring São Vicente beyond Mindelo, with stops in fishing villages, Calhau’s farming valley, Baía das Gatas, Praia Grande, and Monte Verde. You’ll swim or stroll by the lagoon, taste tea or coffee at the summit tea house, and learn about island life from guides such as Sonia or Lino. Lunch costs extra.

“Very nice trip! Our guide Sonia ans the driver Albino were very kind ans excellent. The lunch at Calhau was vert good!”

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Santo Antão: Day Trip by Car or Trek - Pico da Cruz and Cova Crater
1-Day Tours, Hiking & Trekking, Hiking in São Vicente, Santo Antão Valley Hikes, Tour Reviews, Tours in São Vicente

Santo Antão: Day Trip by Car or Trek

3.Day Trip by Car or Trek

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 72 reviews · from $104Top rated

Spend 7 to 11 hours seeing Santo Antão by car, with ferry transfers from Mindelo, a local guide, mountain viewpoints, villages, fertile valleys, lunch time, and a grogue tasting. Guides such as Madu and Danny are praised for their island knowledge and easy conversation. A trekking option may be arranged, but confirm the details before booking.

“L'expérience a été magique. Madu qui parle parfaitement Français a été un guide hors pair et nous a communiqué son amour pour son île natale. Des paysages sublimes, l'histoire de l'île, un repas excellent et à très bon prix...tout était parfait. De plus le conducteur a été très gentil. Nous recommandons fortement.”

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Serra Malagueta: Principal Valley Hike & Lunch with Locals - A 4.5-kilometer trail with a real downhill bite
Hiking & Trekking, Hiking in Santiago, Lunch Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours in Santiago

Serra Malagueta: Principal Valley Hike & Lunch with Locals

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

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

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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Santiago Island: Serra Malagueta & Tarrafal Beach Trek Tour - The road from Praia to Serra Malagueta
Hiking & Trekking, Hiking in Santiago, Tarrafal Beach Trips, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Santiago

Santiago Island: Serra Malagueta & Tarrafal Beach Trek Tour

5.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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Praia: Baobab Mysterious Tree, Green Valley & Old City Hike - Why this Santiago hike is more than a tree visit
City Tours, Hiking & Trekking, Hiking in Santiago, Tour Reviews, Tours in Santiago

Praia: Baobab Mysterious Tree, Green Valley & Old City Hike

6.Baobab Mysterious Tree, Green Valley & Old City Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 53 reviews · 4 hours · from $53

From Praia, a small group follows a 4 km trail downhill through banana, sugar cane, mango, coconut, and papaya groves. Guides such as Antonio, Alex, and Americio explain Cape Verdean life, grogue production, plants, and island history before the walk ends in Cidade Velha. Allow four hours, including transport.

“It was a beautiful route. The car was very small and the guide could have told us a little more or waited for the last ones in the group, who often missed out on things. We had to wait a very long time for the bus to take us back!”

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Santiago: Calabaceira Valley Trek & Visit to Cidade Velha - Walking among baobabs and farm fields
Cidade Velha Heritage Tours, Hiking & Trekking, Hiking in Santiago, Tour Reviews, Tours in Santiago

Santiago: Calabaceira Valley Trek & Visit to Cidade Velha

7.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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Santiago: Monte Tchota Natural Park to Pico d'Antónia Hike - From Praia to Rui Vaz, the day begins on the road
Hiking & Trekking, Hiking in Santiago, Tour Reviews, Tours in Santiago

Santiago: Monte Tchota Natural Park to Pico d’Antónia Hike

8.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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From Tarrafal: Serra to Principal Hike & Lunch with locals - Learning about Santiago instead of just looking at it
Hiking & Trekking, Hiking in Santiago, Lunch Experiences, Tarrafal Beach Trips, Tour Reviews, Tours in Santiago

From Tarrafal: Serra to Principal Hike & Lunch with locals

9.Serra to Principal Hike & Lunch with locals

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

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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Santa Maria: Guided Coastal Hike & Monte Leão Sunset - Ponta Preta, Calheta Funda, and Murdeira
Evening Experiences, Guided, Hiking & Trekking, Tour Reviews, Tours in Sal

Santa Maria: Guided Coastal Hike & Monte Leão Sunset

10.Guided Coastal Hike & Monte Leão Sunset

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 37 reviews · 4 hours · from $58

Join a four-hour guided hike from Ponta Preta Beach to Monte Leão, stopping around Calheta Funda and Murdeira before sunset. Antonio Dias is one named guide, and tours are offered in English, Portuguese, French, and Spanish. Bring water, sunscreen, and sturdy shoes: the route is sunny, uneven, and includes a climb.

“Antonio Dias made sure we had a wonderful hike. He picked us up on time and was very kind to answer all of our questions. The scenery is just mesmerising all the way to the end. Many different surfaces, which makes it more interesting, exciting as well as challenging. Make sure you bring comfy shoes for the hike! Thank you for the unforgettable afternoon! :)”

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Santo Antão: Hiking Cova Volcano Crater to Ribeira Paúl - The first views toward the ocean and Paul Valley
Fogo Volcano Tours, Hiking & Trekking, Santo Antão Valley Hikes, Tour Reviews, Tours in Santo Antão

Santo Antão: Hiking Cova Volcano Crater to Ribeira Paúl

11.Hiking Cova Volcano Crater to Ribeira Paúl

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 31 reviews · 5 hours · from $100

You’ll hike from Cova Natural Park, about 1,100 meters above sea level, toward Ribeira Paul with a guide such as Maira, Lea, Edy, or Ravi. Expect crater views, steep zigzags, tropical farms, local stories, and a stop at a traditional distillery for grogue. The five-hour trip includes transport and hotel pickup.

“Fantastica! Il miglior paesaggio mai visto in vita mia! Edy (la nostra guida) è preparatissimo ed è stato gentilissimo per tutto il viaggio! Stra consigliato”

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Serra Malagueta Natural Park Hike & Relaxing Swim at Tarrafal Beach - Plants, Birds, and Mountain Views
Hiking & Trekking, Hiking in Santiago, Tarrafal Beach Trips, Tour Reviews, Tours in Santiago

Serra Malagueta Natural Park Hike & Relaxing Swim at Tarrafal Beach

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

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

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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Serra Malagueta Natural Park: Hike to Gongon Valley & Lunch - Looking for vervet monkeys and gray-headed kingfishers
Hiking & Trekking, Hiking in Santiago, Lunch Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours in Santiago

Serra Malagueta Natural Park: Hike to Gongon Valley & Lunch

13.Serra Malagueta Natural Park: Hike to Gongon Valley & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 22 reviews · from $106

Start at about 1,000 meters in Serra Malagueta Natural Park, then walk 12.5 km downhill through Gongon and Hortelã valleys. Guides such as Jose and Katia lead the route, explain local plant life, and arrange lunch with a family. Expect steep sections, heat, and a demanding 4 to 5 hours.

“We had a wonderful and wonderful time with Cati, thank you for everything, it was unforgettable.”

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Santiago Island: 4-Hour Calabaceira Valley Hike & Guided Tour to Cidade Velha - The easy downhill walk through Calabaceira
Cidade Velha Heritage Tours, Guided, Hiking & Trekking, Hiking in Santiago, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Santiago

Santiago Island: 4-Hour Calabaceira Valley Hike & Guided Tour to Cidade Velha

14.4-Hour Calabaceira Valley Hike & Guided Tour to Cidade Velha

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · from $81

Travel from Praia into Calabaceira Valley for an easy 5-kilometer downhill walk past a giant baobab and farm fields, then explore Cidade Velha’s churches, slave market, cathedral ruins, and São Filipe Fortress. Guides such as Ailton and Maria bring useful knowledge of plants, local life, and Cape Verdean history.

“Belle randonnée avec la découverte d'une jolie vallée ainsi que de la Cidade Velha. Guide très sympa accompagné des apprentis guides. Merci à vous ! 👍”

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From Tarrafal: Verdant Valley Hike & Lunch With Locals - A downhill route with mountain air and wide views
Hiking & Trekking, Hiking in Santiago, Lunch Experiences, Tarrafal Beach Trips, Tour Reviews, Tours in Santiago

From Tarrafal: Verdant Valley Hike & Lunch With Locals

15.Verdant Valley Hike & Lunch With Locals

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 17 reviews · 5 hours · from $82

From Tarrafal, you’ll drive 20 minutes to Serra Malagueta, then walk downhill through mountain trails, rural villages, and native plant habitat with a local guide. The route ends with a Cape Verdean lunch in Principal Valley. Guide Ely has earned praise for his care and clear explanations, though guides vary.

“We really enjoyed the trek. The guide was very helpful at the spots where the track got a bit more difficult. The view is amazing. The true highlight for us was the way back to Tarrafal from the end of the track using the pickuptrucks together with all the locals! All in all we would absolutely recommend doing this excursion.”

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