In the dry South of Santo Antão, an ancient cone volcano stretches towards the sky, the Tope de Coroa: once powerful and impulsive, now extinct but extremely imposing. This mountain really wants to be conquered because it is not easy to climb at every point and requires a good physical condition. The volcano hike is one of the classics because with 1979 m the Tope de Coroa is the second highest elevation on Cape Verde after the Pico do Fogo.

 

Start: Cha de Feijoal

End: various options to be agreed on site

Altitude difference: +/- 700 m

Topics: arid flora, microclimate on Santo Antão, drought on Cape Verde, volcanism

Level of difficulty: medium-difficult

Group size: 1-12

Included: Transport, local guide (English speaking), lunch or packed lunch; exclusive drinks

Customisable: Unique

Bookable: as a single hike or part of an individual hiking trip

 

Why you will love this hike

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In contrast to the northern elevations of Santo Antao the southern relief impresses with an almost mystical imposingness. The sun conjures up plays of color on the rocks all day long while the silence is almost screaming because this part of the island is hardly inhabited. The dry and hot weather conditions have caused rather sharp-edged erosion, from which round dam domes protrude every now and then as if out of nowhere. The trek is quite tough and strenuous but the feeling at the top makes it all worthwhile with views from the nearby mountain ranges to the black beaches of Tarrafal. Anyone who has done this hike together with other classics can rightly call themselves an expert.