Ponta do Sol to Cruzinha hiking tour: Coastal cliffs and villages

Walk the ridge between ocean and mountain villages while a guide explains what you're seeing

A full-day guided hike from Ponta do Sol to Cruzinha on Santo Antao, Cape Verde, following a steep coastal trail through colorful villages and past dramatic cliffs. The route passes Fontainhas, a mountain village with views to the Atlantic, and descends through several smaller settlements before lunch in a local restaurant. A live guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and one additional language. Coffee and lunch are included, and pickup from your accommodation is available.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hiking from Ponta do Sol to Cruzinha

• Meet at Tiduka hotel harbour
• Have coffee and introduction
• Hike up mountain path to Fontainhas
• Short break and learn village history
• Hike down through Corvo, Formiguinhas, Aranhas
• Visit abandoned 'forgotten village'
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Hike back up volcanic rocks along coast
• Car pickup at Cruzinha
• Return to accommodation

The experience

The hike starts at the harbor in Ponta do Sol, where you meet your guide over coffee and watch the morning activity before heading up a steep mountain path. From there the trail climbs through green valleys and colored streets toward Fontainhas, a village perched on a high ridge with a black sand beach below and views across the Atlantic. The guide shares the history and culture of the places you pass through, and points out endemic plants and animals. If conditions allow, you might spot turtle or whale species from the ridge.

After a break in Fontainhas, the route descends a steep path through several villages: Corvo, Formiguinhas, and Aranhas, then reaches an abandoned settlement the locals call the forgotten village. Your guide explains why it was left behind and what changed on this side of the mountain. Lunch happens in a local restaurant here, giving you time to rest before the final stretch. The walk back climbs volcanic rocks along the coast, where ospreys sometimes appear, and ends in Cruzinha where a car picks you up and returns you to your accommodation.

The full route takes seven to eight hours. You'll need at least a moderate level of fitness for the steep sections and the distance, and the terrain is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries or cardiovascular concerns. Children are welcome from age eight. A guide is included in every booking. The tour operates in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and one other language, and pickup from your hotel or accommodation is part of the package.

What’s included

• Guided hike with a local expert.
• coffee and tea at the start in Ponta do Sol.
• lunch in a local restaurant in the forgotten village.
• pickup and return transport to your accommodation.

Options for this experience

2 options

EnglishNo fixed time

Private TourGuide in 5 languages · No fixed timeLasts 8 hours; lunch includes coffee or tea; pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Infant (8 to 11 years) · Under 8: 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 13 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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

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

Operated by CapeVerdeTours

Is this one for you?The steep climbs and seven-to-eight-hour duration suit hikers with moderate fitness who want to move through several villages and landscapes in one day rather than stay in one place. If you prefer a gentler pace or shorter walking, look for a half-day option or a route that focuses on a single village.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

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

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (8 to 11 years). Children under 8 can't be included in the booking.

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 is Fontainhas and why does the guide spend time there?

Fontainhas is a village on a high mountain ridge with one of the most striking views in the world according to National Geographic. It sits surrounded by vegetation and farming fields with the Atlantic Ocean and a black sand beach visible below. The guide stops here to share the history and connect you with the people who live there.

Will I see wildlife on the hike from Ponta do Sol to Cruzinha?

Your guide has extensive knowledge of the animals and endemic plants along the route. Turtle and whale species can sometimes be spotted from the ridge, and ospreys occasionally appear along the coastal section near Cruzinha, though sightings depend on conditions.

What happens in the abandoned village on the route?

The forgotten village is a stop where your guide explains why the settlement was abandoned and what changed the landscape on that side of the mountain. It's also where lunch takes place in a local restaurant, giving you time to rest before the final climb back to Cruzinha.

How long does the full hike take and what fitness level do I need?

The hike takes seven to eight hours from start to finish. You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness for the steep climbs and the overall distance. The route is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.