From Tarrafal to Monte Trigo along the coast of Cape Verde

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A superb hike along the ocean on a paved path on the island of Santo Antão in Cape Verde. A coastal hike from the small port of Tarrafal and its black sand beach to the village of Monte Trigo. This village is only accessible via this paved and very steep path, or by boat from the sea.

Details

n°236262
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.92 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 619 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 619 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 188 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4 m
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Photos

Friends on the road
View of Tarrafal
On the paved path
Trail from Tarrafal to Monte Trigo

Description of the walk

(S/E) Head north towards Tarrafal and follow the paved road to Monte Trigo. There are no intersections, so it is impossible to take a wrong turn.

As this trail is constantly overlooking the mountainside, the views are varied and change constantly as you wind your way along! Santo Antão is a volcanic island, so you will be surrounded by a mineral landscape with very little vegetation. The trail winds around the hills, and you may sometimes feel like you are no longer going in the right direction!

Once you reach Monte Trigo, return by the same route or by boat.

For the return journey, it is advisable, and even recommended, to take a local fishing boat. To do this, you will need to hire the services of a fisherman in Tarrafal before setting off on your hike (rates are very affordable) and agree on a time with him.If you choose this option, you will need to choose a day when the sea is calm, but this return trip will allow you to follow the path as it winds its way down the mountainside in front of you!

You may even be lucky enough to see whales.

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 8 m - Tarrafal
  2. 1 : km 10.87 - alt. 10 m - Monte Trigo
  3. E : km 10.92 - alt. 4 m - Tarrafal

Notes

Water is scarce in Cape Verde, so you should never count on finding it in this country. Only drink bottled water, never local water, even if it has been purified! There are no shelters, but you won't need them, as it doesn't rain from October to June (the "rainy season" is from July to the end of October) and temperatures are always bearable.

Walking on cobblestones requires suitable footwear; high-top shoes should be well-fastened, and good socks are a must, otherwise you risk getting blisters on the soles of your feet. Even if the temperatures are not scorching, you should regularly protect yourself from the sun with a good sunscreen.

For meals, there is an excellent restaurant on the beach at Monte Trigo, where you can enjoy fresh local fish on a terrace overlooking the bay.

Detailed map (available on site):
Santo Antaõ at 50000
Or: Attila Bertalan
Bonner Str. 60
76185 Karlsruhe, Germany
Internet link

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
jmb33
jmb33

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It's a beautiful hike, well marked. No major difficulties...
You need good shoes because there are a lot of stones.
I recommend it if you're in Tarrafal.
Be careful if you want to return by fishing boat, I recommend arranging this before you set off.
Duration: 4 hours at average speed with a break

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Stef74
Stef74

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent hike along the coast.
There is really no need to hire a local guide.
The route is generally paved, despite a few rocky sections and some roadworks, and is not particularly difficult apart from its 10 km length.
As mentioned in previous comments, the route has no shade, no water sources and is generally sheltered from the wind.... So don't hesitate to take plenty of water with you!
The diversity of the landscape and the succession of ascents and descents make the route fun, beautiful and photogenic!
Once you arrive at Monte Trigo, it is very easy (especially in August) to find a fisherman who will be happy to take you back to Tarrafal by boat for a few euros (because in the sun, the walk back would not have been much fun) after you have quenched your thirst at the little "bistro" in Monte Trigo.

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randonneur_beta
randonneur_beta

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route was done with a local guide, but it's hard to get lost because the trail is mostly paved and easy to see (be careful, there's construction in Tarrafal at the start of the route).
Despite setting off at around 7 a.m., the trail is almost always in the sun with no water sources (so make sure you take plenty of water with you).
Otherwise, there are magnificent landscapes along the route on the side of cliffs (steep relief, overlooking the rocky coast, basalt flows, etc.: a paradise for geologists).
The advantage of setting off with a local guide (a few dozen euros) is that they book your lunch with a local resident in Monte Trigo and, above all, they book your return trip to Tarrafal on a fishing boat (faster and much less tiring).

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jean claude bernard
jean claude bernard

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 25, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,

Hike completed in July 2017.
It is really essential to take plenty of water with you...

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Wilby
Wilby

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello,

We took a 4x4 taxi from Porto Novo to Tarrafal. The journey took two hours, including 45 minutes on a bumpy track to get down to Tarrafal. According to local residents, the paved road should be finished in two years.

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