Sierra Malagueta to Vale de Gongon hiking tour Santiago

Walk through protected forest and descend into a year-round green valley.

A guided hike on Santiago Island that starts at Sierra Malagueta Natural Park and descends into Vale de Gongon, a lush valley known for its vegetation. The tour includes hotel pickup, a morning drive to the north of the island, lunch, and time to meet locals and taste regional food. A live guide leads in English or French.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hike from Sierra Malagueta to Vale de Gongon

• Hotel pickup in the morning
• Drive to north of Santiago Island
• Walk through Serra Malagueta Natural Park
• Descend into Vale de Gongon valley
• Experience rural life and meet locals
• Taste local food

The experience

The hike begins with pickup from your hotel and a scenic drive north to Serra Malagueta Natural Park. From there, the trail takes you through protected natural landscapes before the descent into Vale de Gongon, where year-round vegetation fills the valley. Along the way, you'll move through the terrain at a moderate pace, stopping to take in the scenery and meet people living in the area.

The route is built around cultural exchange as much as the landscape itself. You'll have the chance to taste local food and see how rural life works on Santiago Island, not as a staged stop but woven into the walk. The guide speaks English or French and moves with the group throughout the morning.

Lunch is included, and the whole outing takes around four hours from start to finish. Children from age 6 can join, though the hike does involve sustained walking and elevation change, so a moderate level of fitness makes the day more enjoyable.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and scenic drive to the trailhead.
• guided hike through Serra Malagueta Natural Park with a live guide in English or French.
• lunch.
• time to meet locals and taste regional food.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day13 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 15:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 17 days ago

Good to know

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

Operated by RURAL TOURS

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a full-day immersion with hiking and cultural stops. Choose the morning departure if you prefer to explore Santiago's other sites the same afternoon.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (6 to 11 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What is Vale de Gongon like when you reach it?

Vale de Gongon is a green valley on Santiago Island known for vegetation that stays lush year-round, which is unusual for the region. The hike descends into it after crossing the protected landscapes of Serra Malagueta Natural Park.

How long does the hike take from start to finish?

The tour takes around four hours total, including the hotel pickup, the drive to the trailhead, the hike itself, and lunch.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup, the guided hike with a live guide in English or French, lunch, and access to the protected natural park are all included.