Guided Walks on São Tomé
There is a fantastic range of guided walks across the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe. These small, equatorial islands invite you to explore their mystical interior, following small trails through primary rainforests and derelict plantation estates. When you arrive at your hotel or retreat, you will be provided with information on view points and short trails that you can explore independently. For walks that take a little longer and dig a little deeper, we will arrange a local guide.
São Tomé is the larger of the two islands and has dramatic mountains and deep valleys. The Southern end of the islands is covered in dense primary forest. In contrast, the south of the island has more open woodland. Walks often pass through historic plantation estates and will see coffee and cacao growing in abundance. Many of the old plantation houses are slowly being taken over by the forest. This is a very fertile landscape, so fruit and vegetables such as avocado, beans and yam are growing all over. You may have to cross the odd river or two.
At a higher altitude, the islands are covered by primary rainforest, called ‘obo’ in Portuguese. The Obo National Park protects an area of 300 square kilometres across both islands. The environment here is pristine and you’ll discover an amazing diversity of trees, flowers, ferns, orchids and mushrooms. It’s fascinating to learn how plants are used everyday in cooking and as medicine.
The walks available to you will largely depend on where you are staying, as trails are scattered across different parts of São Tomé. It is worth bearing in mind that tourism remains in its infancy. As a result, local guides are exactly that – residents of the islands who know the terrain, trails and natural environment exceptionally well.
To give you a sense of the walking experiences available in São Tomé, we have highlighted some of the more popular routes 👇
Long half day – Water’s Path Walk
The excellent Water’s Path walk follows the route of a levada – a manmade water channel snaking through the rainforest at an altitude of around 400m. This day is a great experience. First transfer in a 4×4 vehicle along increasingly rough tracks up past smaller plantations and into the rainforest. Leaving the vehicle, join your guide hiking up a short, steep and slippery slope to gain the levada. The levada has a lost-world feel, a stone and concrete channel that winds it’s way along the 400m contour, with bridges and tunnels.
The tunnels are a particular feature, requiring a headtorch and also wading up to above your knees in the levada! You’ll spot nesting bats overhead. Eventually you’ll reach the river valley where the Angolares waterfall tumbles into it’s plunge pool. You can stop here for a refreshing dip before walking out along the levada and then down tracks through plantations to meet the road to Mucumbli.
4 hour trek to Lagoa Amelia
Enjoy one of the most iconic trails on São Tomé, on a privately guided walk to Lagoa Amélia (1,483m), a dried volcanic crater set within the heart of beautiful Obo National Park. The walk rather than the destination is the highlight, taking approximately four hours. This is an easy to moderate walk with a few gentle ascents and descents. The trails can be muddy and slippery in places, and you’ll occasionally need to step over low fallen tree trunks along the way.
The walk begins at the botanical gardens of Bom Sucesso, following a trail through small agricultural plots before entering the lush rainforest of Obo National Park. As you gradually gain height, your guide will point out a variety of medicinal plants and native trees, while keen eyes may spot some of the islands’ remarkable endemic bird species hidden within the forest canopy. The route culminates at the atmospheric crater of Lagoa Amélia, one of São Tomé’s most iconic natural landmarks.
4 hour Bombaim to Bernardo Faro Trek
This enjoyable guided walk begins at the historic Roça Bombaim plantation estate and follows a scenic route through the island’s lush interior to the small community of Bernardo Faro, which forms part of the Água Izé plantation. Covering around 12km and taking roughly 4 hours, the walk is of moderate difficulty and is mostly gently undulating, with no significant ascents or descents.
Setting off through the plantation, you’ll follow narrow trails through a landscape of secondary rainforest interspersed with cocoa and banana plantations, passing a pretty waterfall en route. After around an hour, you reach the village of Claudino Faro, where it’s often possible to see cocoa beans drying on long trays in the traditional way. From here, the route follows an old colonial road that once connected the inland plantations with Água Izé and the coast. On reaching Bernardo Faro, you’ll be met by 4WD and driven along the remaining section of the historic road to Água Izé, before returning to São Tomé city. This is a wonderful walk for those interested in combining beautiful scenery with an insight into the island’s plantation heritage and rural communities.
A challenging full-day hike from Cão Grande to Porto Alegra
This challenging 6–7 hour guided trek begins near the dramatic volcanic plug of Cão Grande and leads deep into the lush rainforest of southern São Tomé before ending in Porto Alegra. Starting early, you’ll make your way towards both Cão Grande and the smaller Cão Pequeno (“small dog” in Portuguese), two striking volcanic formations that rise dramatically above the surrounding forest. While experienced hikers can climb the imposing Cão Grande as a multi-day trek, we do not offer this option due to the risk of slipping and limited road access. However, this walk starts nearby and offers an equally dramatic landscape,
You follow a rugged path through dense rainforest, crossing muddy trails, small rivers, and thick vegetation. From Cão Pequeno, the journey continues south towards Santa Josefina, passing through palm oil plantations and offering a glimpse of local rural life. The walk concludes at the picturesque harbour of Porto Alegre, where boats depart for the idyllic Ilhéu das Rolas.
How can I book a guided walk when I visit São Tomé and Príncipe?
If you are booking your holiday with us we can arrange walks on both islands. We can offer first-hand advice on which will be the most suitable for you. We offer fully-flexible, tailor made holidays and can help you decide which accommodation, walks, and experiences are best for you.
To find out more, have a chat with Max or Ian on: team@archipelagochoice.com.
