The 15 Best Hikes in Cape Verde

1.Pico do Fogo Volcano Summit Hike

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

Climb Cape Verde’s highest peak, see Fogo’s volcanic crater, and run down ash slopes with a local guide on this 6 to 7 hour hike.

“This was an amazing adventure. My driver was wonderful, providing seamless hotel transfers. Throughout the journey, he shared fascinating history about Chã das Caldeiras and local wine, making the travel time highly informative. Our guide was absolutely amazing and very experienced. We were a small group (English and French speakers), and the guide expertly delivered all information in both languages, ensuring everyone was included. He shared a wealth of knowledge about the volcano, lava paths, and local life. Since we were a fit group, we chose the extra route for a supplement (with steel cables) to get better views. The best part was the final descent, where we ran down…”

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2.Day Trip by Car or Trek

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

Review of Santo Antão from São Vicente, with ferry travel, mountain views, village stops, local lunch, rum tasting, and car or trek options.

“Prima tour met prima gids die goede toelichting gaf, interessant en aangenaam. Zeker een aanbeveling.”

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

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

Hike Serra Malagueta to Principal Valley, share lunch with a local family, and enjoy Cape Verdean mountain and sea views from Praia.

“Why you send me always mail about this trip. I didn’t do this trip, because I wasn’t picked up. I’m still waiting for an answer!!!!!”

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4.Santiago Island: Serra Malagueta & Tarrafal Beach Trek Tour

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

Hike Serra Malagueta, spot rare Cape Verde birds, enjoy a picnic, and relax at Tarrafal Beach on this full-day Santiago Island tour.

“I ended up being the only one attending the hike. So it was me, the guide and 2 trainees. The guide was very knowledgeable and all of the guys were very nice to spend time with. I booked the hike during the rainy season, so no views for me, but it was still a nicely spent day.”

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

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

Hike from Praia through Santiago’s green valley to a 400-year-old baobab and Cidade Velha, with local guides and hotel transfers.

“Leuke tour met geduldige en goed geïnformeerde gids”

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6.Santiago: Calabaceira Valley Trek & Visit to Cidade Velha

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

Trek lush Calabaceira Valley, visit a local rum distillery, and explore UNESCO-listed Cidade Velha from Praia for $82.

“petite randonnée avec explications puis visite de la ville. nature, culture parfait”

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

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

Hike from Monte Tchota to Pico d’Antónia, Santiago’s highest summit, with mountain views, a picnic, transport, and a guide.

“Great tour and guide went mostly in our pace and was well informed and helpful”

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8.Serra to Principal Hike & Lunch with locals

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

Hike from Serra Malagueta to Principal, enjoy mountain views, local culture, and a home-cooked Cape Verdean lunch for $70.

“De tour was mooi! Vanaf Tarrafal met een Hi-Lux een klein half uur naar de entree van het park. Vanaf de start werd veel uitgelegd over de natuur, en de tour is 1 lange afdaling van honderden meters. De paden zijn redelijk goed begaanbaar met sommige uitdagingen onderweg. Logisch, je loopt op een berg in de natuur. Er was een stop met een toilet, waar ook drinken werd verkocht. Erg klein dus er is ook niet veel en soms is het gewoon uitverkocht. De terugweg naar Tarrafal via de kunstroute was prachtig.”

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9.Guided Coastal Hike & Monte Leão Sunset

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

Review of Sal’s 4-hour coastal hike from Ponta Preta to Monte Leão, with west coast views, support transport, and a sunset finish.

“Belle randonnée, guide professionnelle. nous avons passé un très bon moment. Et le coucher de soleil... waouh... nous en avons pris plein les yeux”

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10.Hiking Cova Volcano Crater to Ribeira Paúl

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

Hike Santo Antão from Cova Crater to Paúl Valley, with mountain views, tropical farms, local stories, and a Grogue tasting.

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

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

Hike Serra Malagueta with a local guide, spot Cape Verdean wildlife, then swim and relax at Tarrafal Beach on this Praia day trip.

“The hiking part and visiting the most beautiful beach on the island called Tarrafal The tour guide was knowledgeable too”

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

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

Hike Serra Malagueta from Praia through Gongon and Hortelã valleys, with mountain views, local lunch, wildlife, and hotel transfers.

“A fantastic nature experience, if our guide hadn't tried to set a running record. 12 kilometers in about 3.5 hours! There was no picnic as described, just a quick stop to eat papaya! The guide was way ahead and either didn't notice some of our falls or didn't want to see them. The route is very challenging but beautiful, but it also requires a guide who cares about his or her group.”

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · from $81

Hike Santiago’s Calabaceira Valley, meet local farmers, and explore UNESCO-listed Cidade Velha on an easy half-day tour from Praia.

“Great hike with a great guide. Beautiful views and rich history. Guide had good knowledge of the area and the driver was very accommodating and safe. Appreciated their flexibility.”

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14.Verdant Valley Hike & Lunch With Locals

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

Hike Serra Malagueta from Tarrafal, spot Cape Verde wildlife, and share a home-cooked lunch with locals for an authentic half-day outing.

“Notre guide Ely était très à l’écoute. Très attentionné. Souriant et très interessant. La Rando a été extra grâce aux paysages et à notre guide. La pause dans son « jardin d’Eden » était inattendue et tellement bienvenue. Une belle expérience pour découvrir les paysages et le mode de vie à la montagne.”

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15.Santiago: Trek from Serra Malagueta to Rabelados Community

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · from $111

Trek Santiago’s Serra Malagueta, picnic in the forest, enjoy mountain views, and visit Cape Verde’s historic Rabelados community.

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