Santo Antão is the best hiking island in Cape Verde and one of the finest walking destinations in the Atlantic. Centuries-old cobbled paths link valley villages that roads never reached, and the terrain changes from desert to cloud forest within a few kilometres. Below you will find every route worth building a trip around, compared side by side, with a full guide, elevation profile and photos for the three most popular walks.
Prefer a guide? Guided hikes and day trips
All routes on this page can be walked independently. If you would rather go with a local guide, or only have a day, these tours are bookable in advance on GetYourGuide.
Guided hikes on Santo Antão
- Day hikes with local guides
- Two-day tours including the ferry
- Pick-up available
Santo Antão full day: crater and valley
- Drive up to the Cova crater
- Hike down the Paul Valley, or take the old road
- Guided, with ferry from São Vicente
Santo Antão day trip with lunch
- Ferry from Mindelo, then 4x4 or minibus
- Cova crater and the Paul Valley
- Short hike and a Cape Verdean lunch
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Santo Antão hiking routes compared
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Cova crater and Paul Valley | 10.5 km loop, or a one-way descent | ~860 m (loop) | 3–4.5 h | Moderate |
| 2. Ponta do Sol to Cruzinha | 11.5 km one way | Rolling; high point ~215 m | 4–5 h | Moderate, exposed |
| 3. Three Valleys from Coculi | 11 km loop | ~370 m | ~3.5 h | Easy to moderate |
| 5. Ribeira da Cruz and the west | Varies | Varies | Varies | Guide advised |
| 6. Coastal path from Cruzinha | Varies | Varies | Varies | Moderate |
Distances, ascent and times for routes 1–3 are based on komoot's planned routes and are estimates; walking times exclude breaks.
Which Santo Antão hike should you choose?
- Only one day? Walk the Cova crater and Paul Valley — it shows the island at its greenest and most dramatic.
- Short on time or staying in Ponta do Sol? Walk to the Fontainhas viewpoint and back (about 2 hours), or the full coastal path to Cruzinha.
- Want something easy, or walking with children? The Three Valleys loop from Coculi has no cliff edges and only one short climb.
- Experienced and looking for solitude? The dry west, ideally with a local guide.
1. Cova crater and Paul Valley
10.5 km loop ~860 m ascent ~4.5 h
The signature walk of Santo Antão. The classic version starts at the rim of the Cova crater, drops over the edge and descends through the Paul Valley to the sea at Vila das Pombas: roughly 3–4 hours, almost all downhill on cobbles, moderate but hard on knees. Arrange an aluguer to drop you at the rim and meet you at the bottom.
If you are staying in the valley, a 10.5 km loop climbs from the upper Paul Valley up stone-walled zigzags to the crater and back, with around 860 m of ascent and no transport needed.
2. Ponta do Sol to Fontainhas and Cruzinha
11.5 km one way high point ~215 m 4–5 h
A cliff path carved into the north coast, with drops straight to the sea and the village of Fontainhas perched on a spur. The walk from Ponta do Sol to the Fontainhas viewpoint is about 2.5 km each way and starts with the only steep climb of the route.
Continuing past Ribeira do Corvo and the abandoned houses at Aranhas to Cruzinha makes a committing 11.5 km one-way traverse along the cliffs. Not for those uneasy with exposure. Arrange transport at the Cruzinha end in advance.
3. Three Valleys loop from Coculi
11 km loop ~370 m ascent ~3.5 h
The gentlest of the classic walks and a good first day on the island. The loop starts in Coculi, in the valley behind Ribeira Grande, and wanders between sugar cane, banana plantations, dry-stone terraces and thatched stone houses, always with the jagged ridges of the interior overhead.
There is one climb of about 180 m in the first 2 km and no exposed sections, which makes it the best choice for families and anyone nervous of heights.
4. Ribeira da Cruz and the west
The drier western side offers a completely different landscape: bare rock, deep canyons and long views, with far fewer visitors. Routes here are more exposed and less obvious, so a local guide matters more than elsewhere.
5. Coastal path from Cruzinha
A rugged shoreline route along the north coast linking fishing hamlets, with sea cliffs, black-sand coves and almost no other walkers. Transport at either end needs arranging in advance, as public aluguers are infrequent. The best-known stretch, between Ponta do Sol and Cruzinha, is covered in route 2.
Practical advice for all routes
- Cobbles are hard and uneven — proper shoes with grip are essential.
- Carry 2+ litres of water; refill points are unreliable.
- Start early; cloud often builds over the ridges by late morning.
- Arrange aluguer pick-ups in advance — many walks are one-way.
- Download routes for offline use; mobile coverage in the valleys is patchy.
- Hire a local guide for unmarked or western routes.
- The most comfortable months are November to March; October is the greenest, August and September the wettest — see best time to visit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best hike on Santo Antão?
The Cova crater to Paul Valley hike is the classic: either the 3–4 hour descent from the crater rim to the sea at Vila das Pombas, or a 10.5 km loop from the upper valley to the crater and back. The coastal path from Ponta do Sol via Fontainhas to Cruzinha is the other must-do.
What is the easiest hike on Santo Antão?
The Three Valleys loop from Coculi, near Ribeira Grande: about 11 km with roughly 370 m of ascent, on farm tracks and paths with no exposed sections. The walk from Ponta do Sol to the Fontainhas viewpoint and back is also short, but it starts with a steep climb.
Do you need a guide to hike on Santo Antão?
Not for the main routes like Cova–Paul, Ponta do Sol–Fontainhas–Cruzinha or the Coculi loop, which follow clear, well-used paths. For the western valleys and linking routes, a local guide is well worth it.
How difficult is hiking on Santo Antão?
Most classic routes are moderate: long, steep and on hard cobbles, but not technical. Good footwear and a head for heights on the cliff paths matter most.
How many days do you need for hiking on Santo Antão?
Three full days lets you walk the three main routes on this page without rushing. Add a day or two if you want a guided walk in the west, and allow for the ferry from São Vicente at each end.
When is the best time to hike on Santo Antão?
The most comfortable months are November to March, when it is cool and dry. April to June is still good but warmer, October is the greenest month, and August and September bring the most rain. Whatever the month, start early: cloud often builds over the ridges by late morning, and the low valleys get hot in the afternoon.