Serra Malagueta – Mato Brasil

For hikers who want more than a summit and back, the Serra Malagueta to Mato Brasil traverse is the tour that delivers it. This 3.5-hour moderate hike extends the Serra Malagueta experience into a full crossing of the natural park, descending from the ridge through protected cloud forest and endemic scrubland all the way down to the traditional village of Mato Brasil. It is a community that feels removed from the rhythms of coastal Cabo Verde and offers a completely different perspective on life on Santiago Island.

The hike begins at the park entrance and follows the same initial ascent through the cloud forest zone, but rather than turning back, the trail continues along the ridge before beginning its descent into the Mato Brasil valley on the southern side. The vegetation changes noticeably as you drop altitude: the cloud forest gives way to more open terrain, terraced fields appear on the slopes, and the sounds of the village rise up to meet you before the first rooftops come into view.

Mato Brasil is a small, rural settlement where traditional Cabo Verdean farming life continues largely as it has for generations: livestock on the hillsides, women threshing corn by hand, children playing in the cobbled paths between stone houses. Your Tarradise guide will introduce you to the village and navigate the social protocols of a visit in a way that feels respectful and natural rather than intrusive. This is not a performance, and the community deserves to be treated accordingly.

The endemic plant diversity along the route is exceptional, with several species visible here that are rare even within Cape Verde. The descent also passes through some of the most dramatic volcanic rock formations in the Serra Malagueta range, with cliffs and overhangs that give the trail a wild, exploratory character. At €50 per person, this is outstanding hiking value in Cabo Verde. Small groups only: message Tarradise Tours on WhatsApp to reserve your spot.