Mosteiros covers the north-eastern side of Fogo, where the volcano's steep slopes run down to the Atlantic. The trade wind brings enough cloud and moisture to keep this side greener than the rest of the island. Coffee is the main crop, grown between about 350 and 1,300 metres on rich volcanic soil, and the town of Mosteiros, also called Cidade da Igreja, sits on the coast below. Higher up, the Monte Velha forest lies on the way to the crater.
From the crater to the coffee
The most memorable way to arrive is on foot. A long hike leaves Chã das Caldeiras, crosses the flat floor of the crater, then drops through the cool Monte Velha forest and on through coffee plantations to the village of Pai António above the coast. It's around 12 to 15 kilometres, almost all downhill, and you'll often walk through cloud before the sea appears below the trees. Most walkers send their bags ahead by road and arrange a pickup at the end. Down in town, you can taste coffee grown on the slopes you've just walked through.
Booking on adventuro
Many visitors spend a night in the crater at Santa Catarina do Fogo before this walk, then a night or two in Mosteiros. The island's airport and ferry are on the other side of the volcano in São Filipe. Use the Book here tab to see live dates for guided walks from the crater to the coast.
