São Salvador do Mundo is the smallest municipality in Cabo Verde, a compact patch of valleys and farmland in the middle of Santiago. Its seat, Picos, also called Achada Igreja, lies among steep volcanic peaks a few kilometres south-east of Assomada, just off the main road from Praia to Assomada. It became a municipality of its own only in 2005, and the villages around it still live from farming.
Walking among the peaks
Pico de Antónia, the island's highest point at 1,394 metres, rises about 4 kilometres south of Picos, and its summit sits on the boundary where São Salvador do Mundo meets two neighbours. The best-known routes to the top start from Rui Vaz and São Jorge dos Órgãos on the far side. Around Picos itself, farm paths wind between the terraces and rocky outcrops, which makes for gentler hikes. Serra Malagueta, the island's other big walking area, is a short drive north past Assomada.
Booking on adventuro
Picos sits between Praia and Assomada on the main road, so it's easy to pass through on the way to the island's walking areas. Guided climbs of Pico de Antónia often start at São Jorge dos Órgãos in neighbouring São Lourenço dos Órgãos, and Assomada, the main town of Santa Catarina, is the gateway to Serra Malagueta. Use the Book here tab to see live dates for guided walks in central Santiago.
