Serra Malagueta to Principal Valley Hike from Praia with Lunch

Walk downhill through green valleys and meet the people who farm them

A guided hike from Praia through Serra Malagueta Natural Park and down into Principal Valley, with a local guide leading you past traditional houses and agricultural fields to a lunch cooked by a local family. The route covers roughly 4.5 kilometers over 2 to 3 hours of walking, descending 700 meters to the valley floor, then returns by vehicle along the eastern coast. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Praia are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hike Serra Malagueta and visit Principal Valley

• Pickup from accommodation in Praia
• Transfer to Serra Malagueta hike start
• Meet local guide and hike Principal Valley
• Explore local fauna and flora
• Visit first settlements and meet locals
• Walk through agricultural fields to Mato Dento
• Experience local hospitality in Mato Dento
• Drive east side with panoramic sea-land views
• Return to hotel

The experience

The hike starts with pickup from your accommodation in Praia and a transfer to Serra Malagueta. Your local guide meets you at the trailhead and leads you downhill through Principal Valley, pointing out the fauna and flora as you descend. The trail passes through settlements of traditional houses scattered across the canyon hillsides, where you'll encounter locals going about their daily routines. You walk between agricultural fields of coconut palms, banana trees, tamarind, mango and sugar cane, arriving at Mato Dento: a locality known for the warmth of its people and the Morabeza (Cape Verdean hospitality) they extend to visitors.

Lunch is a main dish of your choice (fish or meat) served with legumes and rice, eaten with the family that prepared it. After the meal, the tour ends with an hour's drive back to Praia along the eastern side of the island, where panoramic views of sea and land stretch across the horizon. The full outing takes 6 hours from pickup to drop-off.

The walking itself is moderate in difficulty: roughly 4.5 kilometers total, with 2 to 3 hours of actual walking time. You'll descend about 700 meters in elevation and climb back up roughly 100 meters, reaching a maximum elevation of around 770 meters. The trail is one-way, with medium tilt and narrow sections, but it is safe. Wear hiking pants (especially from August to November), bring proper hiking boots, a hat, sunscreen and water. If you're visiting August to October, pack water shoes as well.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off at your accommodation in Praia.
• a local guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese or French.
• lunch with a local family (choice of fish or meat with legumes and rice).
• transportation to and from the trailhead and back along the eastern coast.
• liability insurance.

Options for this experience

2 options

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

Private HikeGuide in 4 languages · 08:30Private 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 timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 16 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 7 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Bu Country Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the private hike if you want the pace and stops shaped around your group. The shared group hike works if you're comfortable meeting other travelers and prefer a lower per-person cost. Either way, the moderate difficulty and 2 to 3 hours of walking suit anyone with a reasonable fitness level who is comfortable on a narrow, medium-tilt trail with significant elevation loss.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What's the walking distance and how much elevation change is there on this hike?

The hike covers roughly 4.5 kilometers with 2 to 3 hours of actual walking time. You descend about 700 meters into Principal Valley and climb back up roughly 100 meters, starting at around 770 meters elevation and finishing at around 120 meters.

Can I choose what I eat for lunch, or is the meal set?

Lunch includes a main dish where you choose between fish or meat, served with legumes and rice. The meal is prepared and eaten with a local family.

Does the hike go through settlements where I'll meet local people?

Yes. The trail passes through traditional settlements scattered across the canyon hillsides, and you'll encounter locals living in the area. You also spend time in Mato Dento, known for the hospitality of its residents.

Is hotel pickup in Praia included in the price?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at your accommodation in Praia are included, along with the return drive along the eastern coast.