Santiago Island trek: Pico de Antónia hike with family visit

Walk from agricultural fields to Santiago's highest point and back down through protected forest.

A guided trek on Santiago Island that climbs Pico de Antónia (1,394 meters) through farmland, a local family's home, and Monte Txota Natural Park, then descends to the village of Rui Vaz. The hike covers roughly 9 kilometers over 5 to 6 hours of walking, with significant elevation gain and narrow, tilted terrain. Pickup and drop-off at your accommodation in Praia or São Jorge dos Órgãos are included, as is a picnic with juice, sandwich and fruit. A live guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese or French. This trek is for walkers over 16 with high fitness levels and no spinal, cardiovascular or pregnancy-related concerns.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hike from Longueira to Rui Vaz

• Pickup at accommodation
• Travel to Longueira village
• Start hike at 485 meters altitude
• Walk through houses and fields
• Visit local family
• Hike uphill to Pico D'Antónia
• Picnic and enjoy mountain views
• Walk through Monte Txota Natural Park
• Visit secret viewpoint
• End hike at Rui Vaz village
• Transfer back to accommodation

The experience

The day starts with pickup at your accommodation, then a drive to Longueira in São Jorge dos Órgãos where the walking begins at 485 meters above sea level. You'll hike through agricultural fields growing corn, mango, coffee, tomato and papaya (depending on season), passing local houses and stopping to visit a family and learn how they live. The terrain is steep and narrow in places, requiring careful footing as you gain elevation.

The route pushes uphill to Pico de Antónia, Santiago Island's highest point at 1,394 meters. A picnic stop here gives you time to rest and take in views across the island. On clear days, you can see Fogo Island and its volcano on the horizon. From there, the trek moves through Monte Txota Natural Park, where a guide points out endemic plants and birds found nowhere else and now threatened with extinction. A secret viewpoint reveals some of the island's best vistas before the descent begins.

The hike ends at 1,000 meters elevation in Rui Vaz village, where you're picked up and driven back to your accommodation. Total walking time is 5 to 6 hours over roughly 9 kilometers, with about 1,050 meters of elevation gain and 600 meters of loss. The path is one-way, narrow and tilted in places, and some sections may require basic climbing ability. Bring hiking shoes, walking sticks, a hat, sunscreen and water. Hiking pants are especially recommended from August to November.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off at your accommodation in Praia or São Jorge dos Órgãos.
• a live guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese or French.
• a picnic with soft juice, sandwich and fruit.
• liability insurance.
• transportation to and from Longueira.

Options for this experience

2 options

Shared Group TrekGuide in 4 languages · 08:30Pickup is included

Private TrekGuide in 4 languages · 08:30Private tour, 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 dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Under 16: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 20 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Physically demandingNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Bu Country Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this trek if you're a confident walker comfortable with steep, narrow terrain and significant elevation gain over a full day. The high fitness requirement and one-way descent mean this is built for hikers, not casual walkers, and the narrow, tilted path demands sure footing and focus.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.

How high is Pico de Antónia and what's the view like from the top?

Pico de Antónia reaches 1,394 meters, making it Santiago Island's highest peak. On clear days the view stretches across the island and out to Fogo Island, where you can see the volcano on the horizon.

What's the walking distance and how long does the hike actually take?

The trek covers roughly 9 kilometers with 5 to 6 hours of walking time. You'll climb about 1,050 meters and descend 600 meters, starting at 485 meters elevation and reaching a maximum of 1,400 meters.

Do I visit a local family, and what happens there?

Yes, the route includes a stop at a local family's home in the agricultural fields. You'll get to know their daily life and see how they farm the land around Santiago Island.

What plants and animals will I see in Monte Txota Natural Park?

Monte Txota is home to endemic plants and birds found only on Santiago Island and now threatened with extinction. Your guide will point them out and explain what makes them unique to this place.

What's included in the picnic, and when do I eat?

The picnic includes soft juice, a sandwich and fruit, served at the summit of Pico de Antónia after you've climbed to the highest point. It's a rest stop before the descent through the natural park.

Can I choose a private trek or do I have to go in a group?

You can book either a private trek or a shared group trek, depending on your preference and budget. Both follow the same route and include the same guide, pickup, and picnic.