3-day Santo Antão hiking tour from Porto Novo

Crater, valley, and coastal cliffs across three days of hiking

A 3-day guided hiking tour of Santo Antão starting in Porto Novo, crossing the Cova Crater into Paúl Valley's plantations, then along the coastal trail to Ponta do Sol and through agricultural fields to Coculi. The tour includes a professional local guide, two nights of guesthouse accommodation with breakfast, all transfers, luggage transport during hikes, and family-style meals at local homes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Hike from Cova Crater to Paúl Valley

• Pick-up in Porto Novo
• Drive to Cova Crater
• Hike from Cova Crater to Paúl Valley
• Picnic or lunch with local family
• Continue hiking and exploring Paúl Valley
• Optional alcohol and melasse tasting
• Overnight in Paúl

Day 2: Coastal hike from Cruzinha to Ponta do Sol

• Transfer to Cruzinha
• Start coastal hike to Ponta do Sol
• Lunch with local family
• Pass Fontainhas village
• Arrive in Ponta do Sol
• Overnight in Ponta do Sol

Day 3: Hike from Cha de Pedras to Coculi

• Transfer to Cha de Pedras
• Hike from Cha de Pedras to Coculi (part 1)
• Lunch with local family
• Extra hike to Coculi (part 2)
• Transfer to Porto Novo for ferry

The experience

Day one starts with a scenic drive from Porto Novo to the Cova Crater, then a 5–6 hour hike down into Paúl Valley, the island's greenest region. You'll walk through forests of endemic plants and descend cobblestone paths past sugar cane fields, coffee plantations, and orchards of mango, papaya and guava. Lunch comes with a local family, and you stay overnight in a 4-star hotel in Paúl. An optional tour of local alcohol and molasses making is available if you want to go deeper into the valley's traditions.

Day two is a 6–7 hour coastal hike from Cruzinha to Ponta do Sol, following dramatic trails with panoramic sea views and steep zigzag paths. You'll pass through Fontainhas, the iconic village of colorful houses built into the cliffs, and stop for lunch with another local family along the way. The overnight is in a guesthouse in Ponta do Sol, a working fishing town with an old harbor.

Day three covers 3–4 hours of hiking through the agricultural fields of Cha de Pedras to Coculi, passing sugar cane, banana plantations and mango orchards. You'll have lunch with a local family, then a final 1-hour trek through farmland and traditional stone paths brings you to Coculi village. A transfer back to Porto Novo follows, timed for the afternoon ferry to Mindelo if you need it. Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian.

What’s included

• Professional local hiking guide fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian.
• two nights of guesthouse accommodation with breakfast.
• all transfers between Porto Novo, the trailheads and overnight stops.
• luggage transport during each day's hike.
• family-style meals at local homes on each day.
• optional tour of local alcohol and molasses making in Paúl Valley.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (4 and older) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 18 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by CapeVerdeTours

Is this one for you?This tour suits small groups and solo travelers who want to hike at a steady pace with time to rest and eat with local families, rather than rushing between stops. The fixed three-day itinerary means you commit to the full route, so it works best if you have the time and fitness for daily hikes ranging from 3–7 hours.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

5 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the hike like on the first day from Cova Crater to Paúl Valley?

The first day is a 5–6 hour hike that starts with a scenic drive to the Cova Crater, then descends through forests of endemic plants and cobblestone paths into Paúl Valley. You'll pass coffee plantations, sugar cane fields and tropical fruit orchards, with lunch at a local family's home before arriving at your overnight accommodation.

How difficult are the hikes, and what fitness level do I need?

The tour requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The daily hikes range from 3–7 hours depending on the day, with elevation changes and uneven terrain. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnant travelers.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to pay for separately?

The tour includes a professional local guide, two nights of guesthouse accommodation with breakfast, all transfers between Porto Novo and the trails, luggage transport during the hikes, and family-style meals at local homes. Dinners, personal expenses, drinks and travel insurance are not included. Ferry tickets between Mindelo and Porto Novo depend on which option you book.

What is Fontainhas, the village you pass on day two?

Fontainhas is an iconic village famous for its colorful houses built into the cliffs overlooking the coast. You'll pass through it during the 6–7 hour coastal hike from Cruzinha to Ponta do Sol on day two.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the starting point in Porto Novo?

Pickup is included in the tour. Transport to the starting point depends on which option you select at checkout. Some options include it and others do not.