15 Cape Verde Hiking Tours Worth Lacing Up For

1.Fogo Island: Pico do Fogo Volcano Summit Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 92 reviews · 6 - 7 hours · from $51Our pick

You’ll hike Pico do Fogo to 2,829 meters with a local guide, taking 3 to 4 hours to reach the summit. Guides such as Nezito and Junior adjust the pace, explain eruptions and local life, and lead the memorable ash descent toward Chã das Caldeiras.

“Unforgettable hike to Pico do Fogo with Nezito! Climbing Pico do Fogo was an amazing experience, made even better by our guide, Nezito. He made the hike feel safe, smooth, and enjoyable from start to finish. We started early in the morning, which helped us avoid the heat — definitely a good idea. The view from the top is absolutely breathtaking: vast fields of lava and ash, incredible volcanic landscapes, and clear signs of past eruptions. It really gives you a sense of the raw power of nature. The descent? Like skiing down a slope of soft volcanic ash — so much fun! A good level of physical fitness is…”

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2.Serra Malagueta: Principal Valley Hike & Lunch with Locals

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 64 reviews · 7 hours · from $111

Hike 4.5 km from Serra Malagueta into Principal Valley, visit rural settlements, eat fish or meat with a local family, and return to Praia by the scenic east coast. Guides may include Peter, Elton, or Katia, with service depending on the assignment.

“La guía Katia no explicó casi nada durante la excursión sobre el país, sus costumbres, sus fiestas locales, sus pueblos...la verdad, muy decepcionante. Se pasó toda la excursión hablando con el conductor, una mala experiencia sinceramente. La excursión muy cara para tener este pésimo servicio. Me gustó mucho la ruta de senderismo y la comida en la casa. No recomiendo esta excursión con vosotros, es mejor alquilarse un coche o buscar otra opción más profesional.”

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3.Praia: Baobab Mysterious Tree, Green Valley & Old City Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 53 reviews · 4 hours · from $53

You’ll walk 4 km downhill through farms, fruit trees, and grogue country before reaching Cidade Velha. Guides such as Antonio, Alex, and Americio explain Cape Verdean culture, plants, and history. Expect a moderate, stony trail, small groups, and transport from Praia.

“It was a beautiful route. The car was very small and the guide could have told us a little more or waited for the last ones in the group, who often missed out on things. We had to wait a very long time for the bus to take us back!”

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4.Santiago: Monte Tchota Natural Park to Pico d’Antónia Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 43 reviews · 6 hours · from $100

Start in Rui Vaz and hike through cool, biodiverse Monte Txota Natural Park to Pico d’Antónia, Santiago’s 1,394-meter high point. Expect a difficult 9-kilometer route, narrow tilted paths, a picnic, and possible views of Maio and Fogo. Guide Elder is praised for safety, patience, and nature knowledge.

“Great tour and guide went mostly in our pace and was well informed and helpful”

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5.From Tarrafal: Serra to Principal Hike & Lunch with locals

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 41 reviews · 5 hours · from $70

Walk downhill from Serra Malagueta Natural Park to Principal Valley with a small group and a multilingual guide such as Luis, Alex, or Ivana. Learn about Santiago’s plants, history, and daily life, then share a home-cooked meal with a local family before returning to Tarrafal by scenic road.

“Alex is an excellent guide, with lots of interesting observations and anecdotes about the flora and fauna and the islands in general. The food prepared by Mama was absolutely delicious.”

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6.Santa Maria: Guided Coastal Hike & Monte Leão Sunset

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 37 reviews · 4 hours · from $58

Join a multilingual guide, including Antonio Dias on some departures, for a four-hour west-coast hike from Ponta Preta to Monte Leão. Expect rocky surfaces, full sun, sea views, stops at Calheta Funda and Murdeira, support-car help, and sunset from the summit.

“Antonio Dias made sure we had a wonderful hike. He picked us up on time and was very kind to answer all of our questions. The scenery is just mesmerising all the way to the end. Many different surfaces, which makes it more interesting, exciting as well as challenging. Make sure you bring comfy shoes for the hike! Thank you for the unforgettable afternoon! :)”

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7.Santo Antão: Hiking Cova Volcano Crater to Ribeira Paúl

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 31 reviews · 5 hours · from $100

Join a guide such as Maira, Lea, Ravi, Riva, or Edy for a five-hour descent from Cova Natural Park into Paul Valley. You’ll see crater views, sugarcane and fruit farms, hear island stories, and visit a traditional grogue distillery.

“I'm Extremely disappointed with the way that Bu Country Tours handled my booking! I confirmed an updated pick up location the day before my scheduled tour, only to find out on the actual tour day that the people in the office had neglected to notify the tour guides. What resulted from that mess up was that both me and the poor tour guides (Lea and Maira) were trying in vain to locate each other via Whatsapp for 2 hours. The person from the Bu Country Tour office that I spoke to on the day kept telling me that my tour guides were gonna head back to pick me up at…”

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8.Serra Malagueta Natural Park: Hike to Gongon Valley & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 22 reviews · from $106

Start at 1,000 meters in Serra Malagueta Natural Park and walk downhill through endemic plants, remote villages, Gongon Valley, and Hortelã Valley. Your guide leads a 12.5 km route with about 580 meters of ascent and 1,100 meters of descent, followed by lunch with a local family.

“Our guide, Jose, and our driver were fantastic. Jose showed us a lot and explained even more than the itinerary suggested. The food at Hermiña's was delicious. We highly recommend the tour.”

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9.From Tarrafal: Verdant Valley Hike & Lunch With Locals

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 17 reviews · 5 hours · from $82

From Tarrafal, ride 20 minutes to Serra Malagueta, then walk downhill through mountain trails, rural villages, native plants, and bird country with a local guide. Finish with a home-cooked Cape Verdean lunch in Principal Valley. Guides speak English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.

“Excellente journée avec un guide passionné et passionnant !”

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10.Hike to the highest point of Monte verde

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 14 reviews · from $69

Climb Monte Verde, São Vicente’s highest point, with hotel or port pickup, an English, French, or Portuguese-speaking guide, and a mostly paved route that becomes a trail near the summit. Guides Yuran and Elody have led highly praised outings, with tea, coffee, or grogue available at the top.

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11.Santo Antão: Ponta do Sol & Fontainhas Guided Trip with Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 9 reviews · 6 hours · from $91

Join Bu Country Tours for a guided trip through Ponta do Sol, Fontainhas, Aranhas, and Cruzinha. Guides such as Ruben, Riva, Américo, and Vidson lead a steep coastal route with ocean views, volcanic rock, village life, and a black-sand beach stop. Confirm the hike length before booking.

“superbe randonnée, bouclée en 4h, mais avec une grosse condition physique. Rivaldino, notre guide, super pro. A faire, sans hésitation.”

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12.Hike Monte Verde

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 8 reviews · 3 hours · from $64

Travel from Mindelo to Monte Verde, then climb by an old footpath and mountain road with guide Raquel or another multilingual guide. Look for endemic plants, farm animals, abandoned homes, and birdlife before tea, coffee, or local liquor at the summit tea house.

“Ich hatte eine unterhaltsame Wanderung mit Raquel. Einen Teil der Strecke sind wir einen steinigen, mäßig gesicherten Weg gelaufen, den Rest bis zum Gipfel dann die Straße mit Kopfsteinpflaster. Man sollte auf jeden Fall eine Windjacke mitnehmen, da es an manchen Stellen enorm windig und kalt sein kann. Leider war der Ausblick an dem Tag auch nicht gut. Dafür gab es oben einen kleinen Imbiss und Kaffee oder Tee zum Aufwärmen. Viele Touristen fahren einfach mit dem Auto zum Gipfel, es ist jedoch viel entspannter und bewusster, diesen Weg zu wandern.”

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13.Private Hike through mountains and distant rural villages

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 4 hours · from $82Top rated

Travel from Praia to Rui Vaz for a 4-kilometer downhill hike through eucalyptus woods, farms, and volcanic valleys. Guides such as José, Orlando, and Antonio explain Santiago’s plants, culture, and rural life before you visit Longueira, a remote village below Mount Pico Antonio.

“Très belle randonnée en compagnie de José ! Un super guide qui nous a appris pleins d'anecdotes fascinantes sur l'histoire du pays et la flore environnante. La visite de la distillerie de rhum et la dégustation de canne à sucre ont été un bonus exceptionnel !”

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14.Fogo Island: Spectacular Vulcano HIking Experience(2829 m)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7 reviews · from $51

You’ll hike Pico do Fogo with a local guide, starting from Cha das Caldeiras and climbing about 1,050 meters to Cape Verde’s highest point. Expect 5 to 6 hours on foot, steep sections, black volcanic ground, a crater walk, and a small group of no more than eight people.

“L'arrivée au pied du volcan dans la nuit pour découvrir le levé du soleil dans le cratère est une des choses à voir dans sa vie, tellement l'impression est extraordinaire.”

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15.Tarrafal: From Praia:Hike in Serra Malagueta Natural Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 6 reviews · 5 hours · from $111

Travel from Praia to Serra Malagueta Natural Park with a private guide such as José Correia, Apollo, or Ednilson. Walk easy mountain trails at about 800 meters, spot endemic plants and birds, enjoy views toward Fogo, then eat lunch at Mountain Lodge Restaurant.

“On the trail to the viewpoint Viracão we had great views on both sides of the island. It was rather an easy walk. After 2 1/2 hours we were back at the office of Serra Malagueta Nature Park and I found 80USD per person is a bit too much for the tour.”

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