The 15 Hikes in Santiago That Earn Their Price

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

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

Hike Serra da Malagueta and the Principal Valley in Santiago, eat lunch with locals in Mato Dento, then return via east-coast views.

“I really enjoyed this tour if you want to see the locals life closer and enjoy the very tasty meal of a local family and the beautiful nature and animals and plantations you get to book this hike plus Peter the Guide was the cherry on top making everything so smooth, helping in every detail and gave so much information about the whole country and history and fauna and Flora, it was overall perfect!! Thank you :)”

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2.Serra Malagueta & Tarrafal Beach Trek Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 61 reviews · 8 hours · from $106

Hike Serra Malagueta Natural Park on Santiago Island, enjoy a picnic, then unwind at Tarrafal Beach in an 8-hour tour.

“Elisanto was an awesome guide and I will rate it a 10/10”

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

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

Guided 4-hour hike from Praia to Cidade Velha, with farms, a 400-year-old baobab, and an endemic bird chance. Pickup included.

“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.Calabaceira Valley Trek & Visit to Cidade Velha

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 49 reviews · 4 hours · from $82

Calabaceira Valley trek plus Cidade Velha UNESCO sights, former slave market, and a stop at a local rum distillery.

“The tour was advertised as being an easy walk. There were several elderly people on this tour that were forced to go down a mountain very steep with boulders. The tour was supposed to be four hours and ended up being almost 8 hours long. The description is very misleading, saying it it was an easy hike.”

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5.Monte Tchota Natural Park to Pico d’Antónia Hike

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

Hike Monte Txota Natural Park to Pico d'Antónia, Santiago’s highest point, for big views, a cooler forest feel, and a tough but worth-it day.

“It was great, the end was though but overall a great exercise and worth it!”

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6.Serra to Principal Hike & Lunch with locals

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

Hike from Serra Malagueta to Principal on Santiago Island, then enjoy home-cooked lunch with a local family. Small group, pickup in Tarrafal.

“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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7.Serra Malagueta Natural Park Hike & Relaxing Swim at Tarrafal Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · from $104Top rated

Guided Serra Malagueta hike from Praia, then swim at Tarrafal Beach. Small group, picnic included, moderate trail, park fee extra.

“The hike was not very challenging, and we went at a good pace for enjoying all of the beautiful views. The guides were very knowledgeable and friendly. It was a nice reward to end the hike in Tarrafal at the beach.”

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

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

Hike Serra Malagueta from Praia to Gongon and Hortelã valleys, with local family lunch, wildlife spotting, and big views.

“We had a wonderful and wonderful time with Cati, thank you for everything, it was unforgettable.”

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9.4-Hour Calabaceira Valley Hike & Guided Tour to Cidade Velha

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · from $81

Half-day Calabaceira valley hike plus Cidade Velha UNESCO tour from Praia, with an easy 5 km walk and expert local guidance.

“Hiking through the Calabeceira Valley was definitely the highlight of my trip to Cape Verde. It was the perfect combination of nature, culture, and history. I am also very grateful for my guide Maria, who made this experience especially memorable by sharing her knowledgRead more”

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10.Verdant Valley Hike & Lunch With Locals

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

Hike Serra Malagueta from Tarrafal, spot endemic birds, then enjoy a home-style lunch in Principal Valley with local families.

“It was a very fun excursion. You start at the top and the hike is walking down into the valley. While receiving information about: plants, animals, culture and also rum. It was very interesting. The meal at the locals house was really good. My husband and I are vegetarian which was not a problem at all. They made the meal vegan. Absolutely amazing! We took a “bus” / local taxi with multiple people, which was very interesting, entertaining and gave insight into the culture and commutation. I recommend bringing hiking boots or some shoes with a good grip as some stones on the way down are slippery.”

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11.Trek from Serra Malagueta to Rabelados Community

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · from $111

Hike Serra Malagueta Natural Park to 1,064 m, picnic in the forest, then meet the Rabelados community in thatched houses.

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12.Hiking: Monte Tchota Natural Park – Pico D’Antónia (1394m) – Longueira

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $98

Hike Santiago’s highest point, Pico d’Antónia, in Monte Tchota Natural Park with a guided ascent, picnic lunch, and Longueira farm and home visits.

“Cátia (the guide) and Nilton (the driver) were both wonderful! They are passionate about their country and didn't hesitate answering all my questions and even gave me some nice recommendations. I felt safe at all times, they made sure we were keeping a steady pace but Read more”

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13.Longueira, Pico de Antónia & Monte Tchota Trek

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 10 reviews · from $106

Guided Santiago trek from Praia to Longueira and a rum distillery, then Pico de Antónia and Monte Tchota natural park, with picnic.

“Very nice hike, not easy especially the last meters which climb steeply. The very friendly guide as well as her trainee present today.”

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14.Hiking Pico de Antónia – Summit Adventure & Scenic Views

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $120

Hike Pico de Antónia from Santiago with pickup, a private group, and big summit views, including possible sight of Fogo and Maio.

“Great time great guys great share You can true the staff There are professionnal they do know how to have a really good time in this trekking”

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15.Private Hike through mountains and distant rural villages

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

Guided 4 km hike on Santiago Island from Rui Vaz to Longueira, with volcanic views, rural village life, and small-group comfort.

“Meu guia Antonio foi muito aberto, comunicativo e interessado em garantir que eu aprendesse o máximo possível sobre os cabo-verdianos, sobre a ilha de Santiago e também sobre a cultura e história de Cabo Verde. A caminhada e as conversas foram ótimas. Gostei muito e recomendo fazer este passeio com o fornecedor Kapverden Tours. Muito obrigada, Antonio, por seu tempo e sua companhia.”

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