Things to do in Ribeira Grande

Ribeira Grande is the main town on the north-east side of Santo Antão, and the base for hiking tours in Ribeira Grande. It lies where the Ribeira Grande and Ribeira da Torre valleys reach the Atlantic. Locals also call it Povoação.

The town and its valleys

It is a working town, not a sight. The walks start from it, or from Ponta do Sol along the coast.

• Povoação. Colonial and newer houses, street art, a hospital and banks. The day tours by car stop here for lunch.
• Ribeira da Torre. One of the greenest valleys in Cape Verde, with bananas, mangoes, sugar cane and breadfruit.
• Delgadinho. A narrow ridge that divides the two valleys, and a well-known photo stop.
• Ponta do Sol. The northernmost town in the country. Fishing boats land at the old port of Boca de Pistola.

Four walks from here

• Ribeira Grande to Chã de Igreja. About six hours, from the riverbed past banana plantations and a windmill that helps villagers collect water. The picnic is at Boca das Ambas Ribeiras, above the valley floor.
• Ponta do Sol to Fontainhas. About three hours along the coast path, past terraces and donkeys carrying water.
• Ponta do Sol to Cruzinha. A hard 16 km, about five hours of walking, through Fontainhas, Corvo and Formiguinhas. It can be done in either direction.
• Pinhão to Sinagoga. Downhill from a village at 600 metres to a natural swimming pool, if the weather allows. Not for anyone afraid of heights.

Guides collect walkers from Ribeira Grande, Ponta do Sol, Pinhão, Sinagoga and Paúl. The ride to Paúl takes 30 minutes.

Practical

• Weather. Monthly means run from 20C in March to 27C in September. About 149 mm of rain falls in a year, and September is the wettest month.
• The sea. Waves and currents on the north coast are dangerous, and there is no swimming along the coast path.
• Kit. Hiking shoes, a hat, sunscreen and water. Bring a light jacket from November to March.
• Cash. Village restaurants take euros or escudos, and often no cards.
• Access. The trails are steep and uneven, and not for wheelchairs or strollers.