Max visited Fogo and Santiago in October 2022 with his friend Stuart. Here’s Max’s story of their Serra Malagueta walk, on the day they arrived at Santiago from Fogo.
Stuart I have had a fantastic visit so far and our ascent of Fogo Volcano was certainly a highlight. We land at the small airport on Santiago and collect our baggage. We’re met by our cheerful guide, Johnny, who’ll be with us for our next couple of days. Praia airport is outside Praia itself but there are good views of the sprawling suburbs from the van . The city has an organic feel, spreading landwards from Praia bay and north up the Sao Filipe valley.
Last time I was here, the landscape was baked and dry after a drought that had lasted three years. This time was very different. The recent, plentiful rains meant that the deserts had bloomed into a lush and verdant landscape. I can’t stop exclaiming how green it is. This is Stu’s first visit and he’s just as impressed.
Our favourite beach and an ascent of Pico do Antonia
We’re heading north as we’ll stay in Tarrafal on Santiago’s northern tip for our three days on Santiago. The hop on the little aeroplane from neighbouring Fogo island was in the morning and we’re hoping to get out walking again. First we’ll explore the northwest valleys of the Serra Malagueta Natural Park. Next will be a summit of Pico do Antonia, Santiago’s highest point at 1,392m.
North of Praia, Santiago’s true nature starts to reveal itself as the horizon slowly appears through the wind-blown Saharan sand haze that’s characteristic of the country. It’s a harshly jagged skyline compared to the southern plains and the single-tooth profile of Pico do Antonia really stands out. Stu’s transfixed and can’t wait to get exploring, but the summit isn’t planned until tomorrow.
Santiago’s main south-north road stretches all the way from Praia to Tarrafal. It’s the artery route and there’s a constant flow of trucks, cars and aluguers (think hop-on-hop-off shared taxis), all in various states of repair. The road is sinuous and two-way but there’s no rush or hassle from the traffic.
The centre of Santiago is a mish-mash of otherworldly peaks and valleys, volcanic mountains sculpted by erosion and weathering over millions of years. Santiago’s mountain capital is the city of Assomada and this suddenly comes into view: a colourful city spread over a mountain plateau some 500m above sea level, the plateau edge standing 150m above the deep Telhal valley. We stop to take the view in.
The Serra Malagueta National Park
It’s an adventure already and this is just the drive north.
North of Assomada the central plain runs into the peaks of today’s walking destination: the Serra Malagueta Natural Park. Breaking through the gatekeeping hills, the mountain pass finally starts to descend and it’s here we stop and prepare for our walk.
The Serra Malagueta Natural Park runs east of the main road and down the deep valleys to the north-east coast. We’re going to walk into the Principal valley and the van will take the long way round to collect us from the end. Guide Johnny buys the permits necessary to enter the Natural Park, hands us our packed lunches, and we’re away.
The path drops away from the road and we’re immediately immersed in the landscape, incredibly lush from the recent rains. Again – last time I was here, this same view was desert-like, the parched valleys coloured yellow and orange from the bare earth and dormant plants. Now it’s absurdly verdant to me and it’s hard to comprehend the dissonance between what I see and what I remember. Much of what we walk through and past is farmed land. Johnny walks ahead, talking to us about the valley and it’s plantations.
The path is delightful to walk along, zig zagging down the steep mountain sides and winding along subsidiary ridges. The more we descend the higher the plant life becomes. After around an hour we’re within terraces such as found anywhere fertile and steep.
The small plots are planted with maize, beans, bananas, sugar cane, sweet potatoes, cassava, cabbage, yam, papaya, banana, melons, figs, sugar cane: everything grows here when the rains have been good. We start to meet locals and pass their homes, stone built amongst the terraces. The construction so far from easy access is incredible to see. Reaching a stream crossing we stop for a late lunch and the pasta salad is welcome. After the stream the houses start to increase in density and before long we’re descending alleyways into the locality of Chão de Horta, part of the Principal settlement.
Here’s where our walk ends and we get back into the van for our onward journey to Tarrafal and the wonderful Kingfisher Resort. It’s been a full-on few days what with the walking on Fogo and todays transfer-flight-transfer-walk-transfer to the Kingfisher. Stu takes full advantage of the nearest hammock when we check in. And … relax.”
Our Serra Malagueta hike took about three hours. We offer it as part of a day out when you travel with us to Santiago and the hike can be included whether you’re staying in the Oasis Atlantico Praiamar in Praia, the Kingfisher Resort in Tarrafal – or anywhere in between.
If you want to chat a little more about walking in Cape Verde, just message myself or Jake on: team@archipelagochoice.com
