The 7 Best Santo Antão Valley Hikes

1.Santo Antão Day Trip with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 101 reviews · from $147Our pick

Join a local guide such as Maira, Riva, or Lea for a full-day crossing of Santo Antão from Mindelo. Ride the ferry, visit Cova de Paúl, follow the Corda Road, stop in Ponta de Sol and Ribeira Grande, then reach green Vale de Paúl. Lunch is not included.

“Très belle journée. Notre guide Riva parle très bien français et nous a donné toutes les explications sur le cap vert et son île Je recommande , très belle île luxuriante”

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2.Santo Antão Highlights: Day Trip by Car with Ferry from SV

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 84 reviews · 11 hours · from $135

Spend 11 hours crossing from Mindelo to Santo Antão by ferry and van. Guides such as Madu and Danni lead the route through Cova de Paúl, Pico da Cruz, Ribeira Grande, Ponta do Sol, Paúl, and Janela. You will stop for Cape Verdean food and visit a grogue distillery, with ferry tickets, transfers, and guiding included.

“Foi um dia maravilhoso! As paisagens são de cortar a respiração. Mas o melhor de tudo são mesmo as pessoas. Já tinha lido boas referências sobre o Madu, o nosso guia, mas superou todas as nossas expectativas. Tão simpático e atento às necessidades de cada um e à gestão do grupo. Mais do que um guia turístico, Madu revelou-se um extraordinário guia cultural, dando-nos a conhecer não só os ambientes mas a forma de vida das suas gentes. O orgulho colocado no seu património natural e humano e no percurso de desenvolvimento desta nação contagia e fez-nos crescer o respeito e a empatia com um povo que vive feliz com…”

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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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4.Full Day Island Tour & Visit to Cova de Paúl

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 54 reviews · 7 hours · from $106

Spend seven hours crossing Santo Antão by road, from the 1,000-meter Cova de Paúl crater to Fontainhas, Ponta de Sol, and the green Paúl Valley. You will stop for photos, meet fishermen, eat lunch at a local restaurant, and taste grogue. Guides may include Riva, Mitch Adams, Itza, Ivan, or Maira.

“Nous avons passé une excellente journée grâce à notre adorable guide Riva et à ses multiples compétences, tant sur l’histoire , la culture, l’agriculture , etc. de l’île . Merci”

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5.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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6.Full-Day Island Tour in Santo Antão with Lunch Included

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 14 reviews · from $118

Spend 7 to 9 hours seeing Santo Antão with a local guide, visiting Cova Crater, Delgadinho, Ribeira Grande, Ponta do Sol, and Paul Valley. Coffee, tea, lunch, water, entry fees, and a short walk are included. Guide Natcha has earned special praise for patient explanations and a friendly approach. Pickup is offered, but private transport is not included.

“Paseo por valle Paul y cerveza en bar local . Guia experto y conocedor de la zona. Recorrido por lo mejor de la isla”

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7.Ponta do Sol & Fontainhas Guided Trip with Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 9 reviews · 6 hours · from $91Best value

Travel from your hotel to Ponta do Sol, Fontainhas, Praia das Aranhas, and Cruzinha with a local guide. Expect dramatic cliffs, black sand, village life, and a strenuous route that may take about five hours on foot. Guides include Riva, Ruben, Gerson, Rivaldino, Américo, and Vidson.

“superbe randonnée, bouclée en 4h, mais avec une grosse condition physique. Rivaldino, notre guide, super pro. A faire, sans hésitation.”

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