Santo Antão: Cape Verde's Most Dramatic Hiking Island
A ferry from São Vicente to Santo Antão reaches the most dramatic hiking in the Atlantic — deep ribeira valleys, cobblestone paths through terraced farms, and the lush green northeast contrasting with volcanic desert
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Paul Valley Cobblestone Trail
The old cobblestone road through the Paul Valley is Cape Verde's most famous hike — a path that cuts into the rock above the valley floor and passes through small farming communities
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Cova Crater Descent
The ancient volcanic crater at Cova is filled with green terraced fields — the descent on stone paths winds through a surprisingly fertile landscape hidden in the heart of the volcano
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Ribeira Grande Market Town
The capital Santo Antão has a lively Saturday market where farmers from the valleys bring fruit, vegetables and grogue for sale — the island's social hub
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Tarrafal de Monte Trigo fishing village
One of Cape Verde's most isolated communities — accessible only by boat or a long mountain trail — a fishing village located geographically isolated on the southwest coast
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Trekking in the northeastern green zone
The northeastern part of Santo Antão receives moisture from the Atlantic and is extraordinarily green — multi-day hikes through the mountains pass through villages where traditional Cape Verdean life continues
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Porto Novo to Ribeira Grande Road
The dramatic cliff road that connects the ferry port with Ribeira Grande is one of the world's most spectacular mountain drives — dizzying drops and hairpin turns above the Atlantic