Hiking Tours in Santiago Island, Cape Verde

Hiking in Cabo Verde: what to expect

Santiago Island sits at the southern end of the Cape Verde (Cabo Verde) archipelago and offers some of the most varied hiking terrain in the islands. The north of the island, centred on Tarrafal, is where the terrain becomes most dramatic: extinct volcanic cones, deep ribeiras carved by seasonal rivers, and ridgelines with views stretching to the Atlantic.

The Serra Malagueta Natural Park protects the island's cloud forest, a rare habitat in Cabo Verde where endemic trees, ferns, and migratory birds thrive in the moisture carried by the trade winds. Two separate hikes cover different parts of the park, from a summit circuit to a full traverse down to the village of Mato Brasil.

All hiking tours depart from Tarrafal and are guided by locals who have walked these paths their entire lives. Difficulty ranges from short, accessible coastal walks to full-day ridge traverses. Water and snacks are typically included. Check each tour for exactly what's covered.