We partner with Rewilding Britain to help protect our natural spaces for future adventures.
All centres are vetted for safety and quality. Your adventure is in good hands with adventuro.
Cova de Paul is Cabo Verde's largest volcanic crater, and this 5-hour day drops from the farms at 1,100 metres into the Paul valley. Hotel collection, often in Porto Novo, covers the mountain drive to Cova Natural Park. A grogue tasting sits at the bottom when rum production is running.
The mountain drive reaches Cova Natural Park at about 1,100 metres, where farms fill a round green plain inside the extinct volcano. From the rim the view crosses those fields, then toward the Paul valley and the ocean about ten kilometres away. The hike itself lasts about 3.5 hours, including a zigzag stone path that drops for around three hours through cane, banana, mango, avocado, coconut and abandoned vineyards. Commentary on native plants and animals runs as the air warms.
A traditional distillery waits at the bottom, with grogue when production runs from 1 January to 31 May. Outside those months you still walk the valley and see the stills, but tasting depends on whether they are working. The return drive passes Sinagoga, Vila das Pombas and Janela before drop-off at your hotel. Eat breakfast before pickup, because the five hours include a long descent.
Cova Natural Park sits high on Santo Antão around an extinct volcano. From 1,100 metres you look into a round agricultural plain, and locals still farm inside the crater, so the start feels lived-in rather than empty. Steep ground then falls into the green Paul valley, with the ocean about ten kilometres away.
The descent follows a stone path into Cape Verde's greenest valley, past abandoned vineyards and fruit trees. The return drive passes Sinagoga, Vila das Pombas and Janela. Collection from Porto Novo or other hotels you name means you do not need to arrange that mountain transfer yourself.
Shared and private trek rates are both available. Several hours on uneven stone steps make this a moderate outing for guests who already walk regularly rather than very young children. A cap of eight guests keeps the zigzag manageable.
Hiking shoes, a hat, sunscreen and water are required. The grogue tasting is part of the day when the stills are working from 1 January to 31 May. Eat breakfast before pickup, because the five hours include a lot of descent.
Local guides walk Cova to Paul regularly and know the farms inside the crater, the plants on the zigzags and the seasonal rhythm of the stills. The day starts high at Cova Natural Park and finishes with grogue in the valley when the stills are working.
Crater farms, a long green valley and a tasting at the bottom are why this line is one of the island's best-known walks. Drop-off is at your hotel after the coastal villages on the return.
We collect you from your accommodation in Porto Novo or another stay you name and drive through the mountains to Cova Natural Park. The walk itself starts at the crater, about 1,100 metres above sea level, among the farms on the round plain.
Tell us your hotel when you book so the driver can plan that mountain run. The finish is in the Paul valley after the descent, then we drive back via Sinagoga, Vila das Pombas and Janela.
This is a moderate descent. You hike about 3.5 hours from the crater, including a zigzag stone path that drops for around three hours into the Paul valley. Knees and ankles work harder than on a flat coastal path.
Hiking shoes with grip are essential on the stone. The group stays at eight or fewer so the pace can settle. This is a descent day, not a crater-rim stroll and return.
A visit to a traditional rum distillery and a taste of grogue are part of the itinerary when production is running. The rum-making season is from 1 January to 31 May.
Outside those months you still walk the valley and see the stills, but tasting depends on whether they are working. Ask us before you book if the tasting is your main reason for choosing a date.
Cova de Paúl is Cabo Verde's largest volcanic crater. From the rim you look across an immense green round plain used as agricultural fields, then from the edge across the Paul valley and toward the ocean about ten kilometres away.
The hike then leaves the crater on the stone zigzags. You pass cane, banana, mango, avocado, coconut and abandoned vineyards while your guide talks about native plants and animals.
Hiking shoes, a hat, sunscreen and water are the essentials. The start at 1,100 metres can feel cooler than the valley floor, so a layer you can stow is useful once the descent warms up.
Meals are not included beyond the seasonal tasting, so eat breakfast and bring a snack. Leave large luggage at the hotel. We handle the mountain drive both ways.
The descent is a moderate outing on stone zigzags from about 1,100 metres, so it suits guests who already walk regularly rather than very young children. Knees and ankles work harder than on a flat coastal path.
Shared and private trek rates are priced per adult at checkout. Write to us with ages if you are booking a mixed group and want an honest view of the terrain.
Groups run from one guest to a maximum of eight. You can book a shared trek or a private trek. The cap keeps the crater edge and the stone path from feeling crowded.
If your own party already fills most of the eight places, the day will feel almost private. Check remaining seats on the calendar.
Yes. We collect you from your accommodation in Porto Novo or other named stays, then drive through the mountains to Cova. Drop-off at the same hotel is included after the coastal villages on the return.
Flights and the ferry or flight onto Santo Antão are not included. Once you are checked in on the island, we handle the day's road transfers.
Highland cloud is common and usually only hides the long view toward the ocean for a while. The farms inside the crater and the zigzag path still run in everyday mist or a light shower.
We will contact you if rain makes the stone unsafe. Everyday weather is treated as mildly affecting the day. Wear shoes you trust on damp rock.
If you cancel 2 days or less before the Cova descent, the cancellation fee is 100%. Cancel 6 days or less before and the fee is 50%. Cancel up to 1000 days before the event and the fee is 0%.
Tell us early if the mountain pickup hotel changes or if you need another date, so the drive to Cova can be replanned.
About the centre
Ribeira Grande
We run guided outdoor adventures across the Cape Verde archipelago, from volcanic ridge walks and valley hikes to boat trips, snorkelling, and off-road tours on sand and lava trails. Local guides lead each trip with knowledge of island paths, Atlantic conditions, and the rhythms of each community you visit.
Whether you join a morning snorkel, a full-day hike on Santo Antão, or an off-road run to a shipwreck on Boa Vista, you get small-group attention and a clear briefing before you set out. Book the dates and islands that fit your trip, and we keep you informed about meeting times and what to bring.
Operated by Bu Country Turismo SU, Lda, a partner of adventuro.
