From Boca de Ambas to Cha de Igreja

To get to Boca de Ambas, the starting point of the hike, we took an aluguer (shared taxi) from Ribeira Grande.

(S) When you arrive in Boca de Ambas from Ribeira Grande, take the path that runs along the road on the right. You will find it at the level of the Ribera Grande riverbed. The path starts with a slight incline,
After about 300 metres, the path begins to climb more steeply, clinging to the side of the mountain. This is the start of the ascent to the pass that leads to Cha de Igreja.
You will arrive at Col do Mocho.

(1) You can then begin to descend towards Cha de Igreja. The descent is quite steep at first, then you arrive at a more or less flat path.
You will pass through a small hamlet nestled among the crops. After this hamlet, the path runs alongside and joins the Ribeira de Garça.

(2) Descend into the bed of the Ribeira a Garça (there is no water), turn right and walk for a few hundred metres.

(3) You will see Cha de Igreja above you. Turn right onto a staircase that will take you up to the village (E).
See § Practical information for returning to Ribeira Grande.

No water.
Little shade.
Quite steep slope (uphill or downhill).
No difficulty finding your way around.

(E) To return to Ribeira Grande: In the village of Cha de Igreja, there will always be a shared taxi waiting to take you back. To return to Ribeira Grande in a shared taxi, we had to take several in succession, from Cha de Igreja to Garça, then another shared taxi from Garça to Cocculi and finally one from Cocculi to Ribeira Grande.

(1) You first arrive at a small plateau with a magnificent view of the Ribera Grande valley and the terraced crops clinging to the mountainsides. You are then at the highest point of the hike. From this viewpoint, you have a breathtaking view of the Ribeira da Garça and Ribeira Mocho, as well as the various Cape Verdean terraced crops. In the background, you can see the Atlantic Ocean. Cha de Igreja.

(E) At this point, you can continue along the Ribeira de Garça riverbed to reach the ocean and continue on to the village of Cruzinha.

Magnificent views.
Cape Verdean agriculture (terraces).......
Crossing a small village.