GuardTrailsCape Verde · July
Volcanic Craters & Arid Ridges
Explore the dramatic volcanic spine of the island, walking through high-altitude plateaus, mountain ridges, and arid canyons.
- days8
- bases3
- stages5
- nights7
- transfer days2
- stage to stage125 km
- by road and boat, day by day7 h 07
The season for your dates
In July, 9.1 h of usable time per day (heat); in March: 12 h.
Historical statistics (Open-Meteo), not a forecast.
Who this itinerary is for
This itinerary suits a traveller looking for: a trip in July, days of walking, a day hike and a village stroll.
The area
the high volcanic plateaus, mountain ridges, and the arid western canyons.
The map
Loading the map…
The days at a glance
One line per day: where you sleep, what the day is, the road, and how its time is split.
| Day | Evening base | The day | Road | Time of the day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day1 | Evening base : Porto Novo | ArrivalPorto Novo, arrival | 1 h 48 road and boat | 8.0 h usable |
| Day2 | Evening base : Porto Novo | Day excursionThe Pine Forests of Cova Crater | Road 47 min | 12.0 h usable |
| Day3 | Evening base : Porto Novo | Day on sitePorto Novo, arrival | — | 8.0 h usable |
| Day4 | Evening base : Corda | TransferThe Mountain Ridges of Corda | Road 55 min | 8.0 h usable |
| Day5 | Evening base : Corda | Day on siteThe Mountain Ridges of Corda | — | 8.0 h usable |
| Day6 | Evening base : Cha de Morte | TransferThe Arid Canyons of Cha de Morte | Road 1 h 22 | 8.0 h usable |
| Day7 | Evening base : Cha de Morte | Day on siteThe Arid Canyons of Cha de Morte | — | 8.0 h usable |
| Day8 | — | DeparturePorto Novo, departure | 2 h 15 road and boat | 8.0 h usable |
- programme
- travel
- free time
Good to know
The trade-off
You will miss the lush, tropical green valleys of the northeast and the famous coastal cliff paths.
What this version leaves out
Paul Valley lush terraces · Tarrafal de Monte Trigo isolated west coast
Getting there
Fly to Cesaria Evora International Airport (VXE), 1 h 48 by road and boat from the start.
This journey includes a boat: timetables are not checked here, confirm them before booking.
Where you sleep
You will find a variety of guesthouses, local homestays, and small mountain lodges throughout the island, and it is highly recommended to book in advance during the peak hiking season.
Safety
Cape Verde: no warning from the UK authorities (FCDO). Advice of 2026-07-28 · Official advice
Check before booking and before taking out insurance: the advice may have changed since.
Why this version, the cost in detail and the sources are on the method page. Read the method →
When, and for how long
How long?
- You ask for
- 7days
- The area needs, at least
- 8days
- Days kept
- 8days
Travelling in July.
The climate — July
- Daily high, 1 day in 4 is hotter
- 30 °C
- Daily high, 1 day in 20 is hotter
- 31 °C
- Unfavourable day
- 0%
- Windy day
- 3%
Rain, wind and temperature are measured over the 8 h in the middle of the day, on a historical baseline of 40 observations (Open-Meteo). It is a measuring window, not the length of your day: each day of the programme counts 8 h of usable time.
The itinerary, day by day
5 stages over 8 days, in the order of the days. A stage appears on the day you first reach it: you sleep several nights at some, and a day trip leaves from your base and brings you back to it. Each day has its own page.
Every day of this trip has 8 h of usable time, except D2: 12 h. Room to breathe — we have not padded these days to fill them: the free time left is part of the trip.
- Day 1ARRIVALPorto Novo, arrival · night in Porto Novo1 h 48 by road and boatSee the day →
Stage 2 · Espongeiro
The Pine Forests of Cova Crater
Day trip from Porto Novo · no night here · climate favourable
- Day 2EXCURSIONfrom Porto Novo → The Pine Forests of Cova Crater9 h planned · 47 min on the road · 12 h usableSee the day →
- Day 3AT BASEPorto Novo, arrival · night in Porto Novo1 h 30 plannedSee the day →
Stage 3 · Corda
The Mountain Ridges of Corda
We sleep at Hotel Xoxo, 2.3 km away
2 nights · climate favourable
- Day 4The Mountain Ridges of Corda · night in Corda7 h planned · 55 min on the roadSee the day →
- Day 5AT BASEThe Mountain Ridges of Corda · night in Corda6 h 30 plannedSee the day →
Stage 4 · Cha de Morte
The Arid Canyons of Cha de Morte
2 nights · climate to watch
- Day 6The Arid Canyons of Cha de Morte · night in Cha de Morte6 h 30 planned · 1 h 22 on the roadSee the day →
- Day 7AT BASEThe Arid Canyons of Cha de Morte · night in Cha de Morte6 h 30 plannedSee the day →
- Day 8DEPARTUREPorto Novo, departure · end of the trip2 h 30 planned · 2 h 15 by road and boatSee the day →
What it costs, roughly
€519 to €806 per person
€65 to €101 per day
Based on: 2 people.
The cost estimate and the availability of accommodation, transport and activities are as of 31 October 2026: prices and availability change over time.
Where the money goes, and how this figure is obtained →To check
1 point to look at before booking.
D1Ferry with limited departures: check the timetable and book — Mindelo → Porto Novo
ferry with limited departures — the timetable is not checked here: look it up before booking
The method
Why this version, what sets it apart from the others, the cost in detail, the interest of the places, the automatic review and the sources.
Read the method →