São Lourenço dos Órgãos is a small cluster of steep valleys and ridges in the mountainous centre of Santiago, with its seat at João Teves. Pico de Antónia, the island's highest peak, rises on its western edge. The slopes below catch more cloud and rain than the coast, so the valley floors turn green with crops after the summer rains. Praia is less than an hour away by road, yet the valleys feel a long way from the capital's traffic.
The botanical garden and the mountain
The national botanical garden at São Jorge dos Órgãos is the only one in Cabo Verde, a small, quiet garden in the valley. Its paths lead past plants that grow nowhere else in the world. From the village, a steep path climbs to the cliff-top village of Rui Vaz. Longer hikes continue up towards the summit of Pico de Antónia at 1,394 metres, passing terraced plots on steep ground. The final stretch is rocky and exposed, so it's a guided walk for fit hikers.
Booking on adventuro
Many guided hikes here collect walkers from their hotels in Praia. Rui Vaz, the other main trailhead, is in neighbouring São Domingos, and São Salvador do Mundo lies over the ridge to the north-west. Use the Book here tab to see live dates for walks in the central mountains.
