The paths on Santo Antão are well made and the classic routes are easy to follow. What catches walkers out is everything around the walk: the transport back, the cloud that arrives before lunch, the cobbles after rain, and villages without an ATM. These tips come from the routes on this site and cover what to sort out before you set off.
Plan the transport before the walk
Most classic walks on Santo Antão are one-way. The Cova–Paul descent starts at a crater rim on the mountain road; the coastal path ends in Cruzinha, a village with little traffic. Walking back the same way doubles the distance, so the ride at the end is part of the plan, not an afterthought.
- Ask your guesthouse the evening before. Most can book a driver for the drop-off and pick-up, or tell you when aluguers pass.
- Aluguers leave when they are full, not at fixed times, and thin out in the afternoon. Do not count on one at the end of a remote route.
- Agree the price and the pick-up point before you get in, and swap phone numbers with the driver.
- Loops need no transport: the Paul Valley–Cova loop and the Three Valleys loop from Coculi start and finish in the same place.
More on shared minibuses and taxis: taxis and aluguers in Cape Verde.
Start early
On most days, cloud builds over the ridges by late morning. Start early and you get the clear views over the Cova crater and the valleys; start at eleven and you may walk through mist. The low valleys and the coast also heat up quickly after midday, and the coastal path to Cruzinha has almost no shade.
As a rule of thumb, be on the trail by 8 or 9 a.m., and plan to finish long walks by mid-afternoon so you are not searching for transport in the dark.
Weather and seasons
The most comfortable months for hiking are November to March, when it is cool and dry. April to June is still good but warmer. For the greenest valleys, come in October; August and September bring the most rain, with slippery paths and occasional road closures.
The island has its own microclimates. The north-facing valleys are greener and more often in cloud; the south and west are dry and sunny. At the Cova crater, around 1,200 m, it can be cool and windy even when the coast is hot, so carry a warm layer whatever the forecast in Ponta do Sol says.
More detail: best time to visit Cape Verde.
What to wear and carry
- Shoes with a grippy sole. The paths are paved with hard, uneven cobbles that become slippery when wet. Light hiking shoes are fine; smooth trainers are not.
- Walking poles make a real difference on the long descents, such as Cova to the Paul Valley.
- At least 2 litres of water per person. Refill points are unreliable, and small shops are only found in villages.
- Sun protection: hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. Even on cloudy days, the sun is strong.
- A warm layer and a light rain jacket for the ridges and the crater.
- Cash for drinks, snacks and the driver. Cards are rarely accepted and ATMs are few.
- A charged phone and a power bank, with the route downloaded.
The full list: what to pack for Cape Verde.
When a local guide is worth it
You do not need a guide for the three classic routes. A guide is worth it for the remote west of the island, for linking several routes into a longer day, and if you want to understand what you are walking through: the crops, the irrigation channels, the grogue stills and village life. Guesthouses can usually put you in touch with a local guide, and hiring one puts money directly into the mountain communities.
Prefer to book in advance? See guided hikes on Santo Antão ↗ or a full-day guided tour from São Vicente ↗.
Those are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. How this works.
Staying safe on the trail
- Exposure: parts of the coastal path to Cruzinha run along cliff edges with only a low wall, or none. If you are uneasy with heights, walk only to the Fontainhas viewpoint.
- Rain: wet cobbles are slippery, and heavy rain can bring rockfall on steep sections. Postpone exposed walks after heavy rain.
- Cloud: on the ridges, visibility can drop within minutes. Stay on the main path and turn back if you lose it.
- Tell someone: let your guesthouse know which route you are walking and when you expect to be back.
- Remote routes: avoid walking them alone.
General advice: is Cape Verde safe?
Villages, farms and photos
Many paths are the main street of the villages they pass through, and they cross private terraces and gardens. Stay on the path, do not pick fruit or cane, and greet people as you pass: a simple bom dia goes a long way. Ask before photographing people, especially at their homes.
Which route to walk first
Start with the easy Three Valleys loop from Coculi to get used to the cobbles and the heat. Then walk the coastal path from Ponta do Sol, which is short if you stop at Fontainhas. Save the Cova crater and Paul Valley for a clear morning, when the views from the rim are at their best.
Compare all routes in Santo Antão hiking routes, and choose a base near the trailheads with where to stay on Santo Antão.
Frequently asked questions
Can you hike on Santo Antão without a guide?
Yes, on the classic routes: Cova crater and the Paul Valley, Ponta do Sol to Fontainhas and Cruzinha, and the Three Valleys loop from Coculi follow clear, well-used paths. Take a guide for the remote west, for linking routes or if you want someone to explain the farms and villages.
How do you get back after a one-way hike on Santo Antão?
Arrange it before you set off. Most guesthouses can book a driver to collect you at the end, or tell you when aluguers pass. On remote stretches, such as Cruzinha, there may be no public transport later in the day.
What time should you start hiking on Santo Antão?
Early, ideally by 8 or 9 in the morning. Cloud often builds over the ridges by late morning, and the lower valleys get hot in the afternoon.
Is hiking on Santo Antão dangerous?
The classic routes are not technical, but some cliff paths are exposed, and wet cobbles are slippery. Wear shoes with good grip, turn back in heavy rain or thick cloud on exposed sections, and tell your guesthouse where you are going.
What should you pack for hiking on Santo Antão?
Shoes with a grippy sole, at least 2 litres of water, sun protection, a warm layer and a light rain jacket for the ridges, cash, a charged phone with offline maps and, for long descents, walking poles.