Trekking ao pico mais alto de Sâo Vicente: Monteverde

After hotel pick up you will drive for about 5 kilometers to reach the starting point of the trekking route. The hike to Monte Verde, the highest peak on the island of São Vicente, is one of the most captivating experiences for nature lovers visiting Cape Verde. Rising to 750 meters above sea level, Monte Verde dominates the island and offers breathtaking views over the Atlantic Ocean, the city of Mindelo, and—on clear days—the neighboring islands of Santo Antão, Santa Luzia, and São Nicolau.

The trail begins at the base of the mountain, about 100 meters above sea level, along the road connecting Mindelo to Monte Verde. From there, a paved road gradually turns into a stone and red-earth path surrounded by surprisingly lush vegetation compared to the rest of the island. The total elevation gain is around 650 meters up and the same down, covering about 6–7 km round trip, which takes approximately 3 hours at a relaxed pace.

Along the way, hikers pass through a unique natural environment. Thanks to its more humid microclimate, Monte Verde is home to 17 endemic plant species currently at risk of extinction, some of which can be found nowhere else in the world. The landscape shifts constantly—aromatic herbs, lichens, and small green shrubs accompany you as you climb higher, with the sea and valleys opening up below.

At the summit, the reward is a 360-degree panorama of São Vicente: the blue expanse of the ocean, the volcanic hills, and the colorful city of Mindelo stretching to the coast. When the wind rises, clouds swirl quickly around the peak, creating an almost mystical atmosphere that makes Monte Verde one of the island’s most memorable and inspiring places to visit.

We will return to Mindelo in the early afternoon.