Skip to content
  • Map
  • Route Finder
  • Route Planner
  • Travel Guide
Sign upor
Log in
  • Map
  • Route Finder
  • Route Planner
  • Travel Guide
Sign up
  • Places & Accommodation
    • Places to visit
    • Eat & drink
    • Huts
    • Accommodation
    • Ski resorts
    • Crags
  • News & Conditions
    • Current Conditions
    • Weather
    • Webcams
    • Avalanche Report
    • Events
  • Inspiration
    • Collections
    • Offers
    • Travel Stories
    • Publications
  • Community
    • Challenges
    • Groups
  • Settings
  • Help
Back
Travel Guide Cape Verde
  • Activities
  • Attractions
  • Trip planning
  • Destinations
  • Santiago - die größte der Kapverdischen Inseln
    Santiago - die größte der Kapverdischen Inseln Photo: Samuel B., Adobe Stock

Cape Verde

Cape Verde - a group of islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, which certainly does not lack in character. Reachable from Central Europe in about six hours by plane, the islands are often compared to the Caribbean. Miles of sandy beaches await visitors here, as do fiery volcanoes and a fascinating underwater world. But also culturally the archipelago with its African and European influences has a lot to offer.

Find out more
Outdooractive Editors  Verified partner 
Author of this page
LogoOutdooractive Editors

Activities at Cape Verde


Hiking in Cape Verde: Xôxô Valley, Santo Antao
hikes
mountain hikes

Attractions at Cape Verde


Highlights

  • My Map
  • Content
  • Show images Hide images
Features
2D 3D
Maps and trails
Hiking Route · Cape Verde
To the primeval tree of Assomada
PremiumPremium content Difficulty easy
Distance 5.7 km
Duration 2:00 h
Ascent 200 m
Descent 200 m

A small but varied circular route that has a surprising amount to offer: The destination is the giant tree  "Poilón", an ancient kapok tree.

from Nina Dudek,   Outdooractive Premium
Mountain Hike · Cape Verde
Pico do Fogo, der „Feuer-Gipfel“ (2829 m), Insel Fogo, Cabo Verde - Kapverden
Toprecommended route Difficulty moderate
Distance 8.3 km
Duration 6:00 h
Ascent 1,138 m
Descent 1,138 m

Nur wenige Landschaften dieser Erde wirken derartig urzeitlich und elementar wie die unmittelbare Umgebung eines aktiven Vulkanes.

3
from Wolfgang Drexler,   alpenvereinaktiv.com
Mountain Hike · Cape Verde
Der Welt den Rücken kehren auf dem Gudo de Cavaleiro
PremiumPremium content Difficulty difficult
Distance 25.7 km
Duration 10:00 h
Ascent 1,600 m
Descent 1,600 m

Der Gudo de Cavaleiro ist mit seinen gut 1.800 Metern der höchste Berg der Inselmitte von Santo Antão. Diese Wanderung mit rund 1.600 Höhenmetern ...

from Nina Dudek,   Outdooractive Premium
Hiking Route · Cape Verde
Monuments & Oases in Val de Martiene
PremiumPremium content Difficulty moderate
Distance 11.9 km
Duration 4:30 h
Ascent 740 m
Descent 740 m

This impressive circular hike through the Val de Martiene is mentioned in almost no travel guide. Yet the fertile, lush green fields in the midst ...

from Nina Dudek,   Outdooractive Premium
Mountain Hike · Cape Verde
Auf den Pico d'Antónia von Rui Vaz (Insel Santiago, Kapverden - Cabo Verde)
Toprecommended route Difficulty moderate
Distance 14.4 km
Duration 6:30 h
Ascent 877 m
Descent 877 m

Die markante Gestalt des Pico d'Antónia prägt in weiten Teilen der Insel Santiago den Berg-Horizont. Sein Gipfel ist schroff und fällt nach Osten ...

from Wolfgang Drexler,   alpenvereinaktiv.com
Hiking Route · Cape Verde
Wüste & Vulkane im Schatten des Covão da Bordeira
PremiumPremium content Difficulty moderate
Distance 15.1 km
Duration 6:30 h
Ascent 1,100 m
Descent 1,100 m

Durch die wüstenhafte Vulkanlandschaft der westlichen Hochebene führt diese Wanderung hinauf auf einen Vulkankegel mit grandiosem Rundum-Panorama.

from Nina Dudek,   Outdooractive Premium
Hiking Route · Cape Verde
Die einsamen Bergdörfer bei Serra Malagueta
PremiumPremium content Difficulty moderate
Distance 13.2 km
Duration 5:00 h
Ascent 210 m
Descent 1,000 m

Eine lange, aber technisch relativ einfache Wanderung auf alten Verbindungspfaden. Anfangs durch verwunschene Eukalyptus- und Kiefernwälder, auf ...

from Nina Dudek,   Outdooractive Premium
Discover more
  • My Map
  • Content
  • Show images Hide images
Features
2D 3D
Maps and trails

Geography and population

The state of Cabo Verde, consisting of the Cape Verde Islands, is located at the level of Senegal off the west coast of Africa. The capital, Praia, is located on the island of Santiago, where the majority of the population lives. The official language of the islands is Portuguese, whereas in everyday life and in the areas of art and culture, Cape Verdean Creole is mostly spoken.

The archipelago of Cape Verde is of volcanic origin. The highest elevation is the 2929 m high Pico do Fogo, which is still active and last awoke in 2014.

Praia on Santiago, Cape Verde
Photo: Pedro, Adobe Stock
Pico do Fogo
Photo: daboost, Adobe Stock
Volcano on the Cape Verde island of São Vicente
Photo: daboost, Adobe Stock
Sunset in Cape Verde
Photo: Susen Reuter, Adobe Stock

Impressions from Cape Verde: The beach of Praia on the largest island of Santiago, the famous volcano Pico do Fogo on the island of Fogo, sunset on Cape Verde and the volcanic landscape on Sao Vincente. 

Characteristics of the islands and outdoor activities

The nine inhabited islands have very different appearances. While the eastern islands of Sal, Boavista and Maio are flat and dry, the western islands are mountainous. On Santo Antão, São Vicente, São Nicolao, Santiago, Fogo and Brava you can see mountain ranges, green valleys and volcanoes. The climate is pleasantly mild all year round so that even in the German winter a swimming vacation is possible.

The islands of Sal and Boavista are particularly popular among swimmers, but surfers and divers also feel at home here. From October to mid-July, during the "time of the winds", the northeast trade wind is active, which is very popular among windsurfers.

Hikes at Cape Verde

Cape Verde, Cabo Verde, the great Cape, volcanic islands off the north-west coast of Africa. In the middle of the ...

Outdooractive Editors

In addition, the islands of Cape Verde are a true paradise for hikers and mountaineers. Santo Antão, Fogo and São Nicolao are particularly suitable as hiking islands. Since the Cape Verde Islands are not as touristy as other islands, you can go here in solitude and tranquility and enjoy absolute dream hikes.

A small but nice hike leads you to the primeval tree of Assomada on the island of Santiago, for example. Real mountaineers can climb the highest mountain on Santo Antão, the Tope de Coroa.

To the primeval tree of Assomada
To the highest mountain of Santo Antão - Tope de Coroa
Bordeira: Via Ferrata and High Altitude Trail (Fogo Island, Cabo Verde - Cape Verde)
Monuments & Oases in Val de Martiene

A colorful culture

Due to its history, Cape Verde has developed a culture in which both African and Portuguese elements are noticeable. This is evident, for example, in Cape Verdean music, which reflects a wide variety of styles. Among the best-known musical styles are the traditional morna and the rhythmic coladeira.

The national dish of the islands is cachupa, a hearty stew with mashed corn, green bananas, pumpkin and cabbage. For dessert, people enjoy the fruits of the islands.

Colorful houses and flowering trees on the island of Maio
Photo: Elena Skalovskaia, Adobe Stock

Trip planning


Weather

Webcams

  • Webcam · Cape Verde
    Palmeira: Kite Beach - Sal Cape Verde - Sal
  • Webcam · Cape Verde
    Santa Maria: Ponta Preta
Show all webcams at Cape Verde

Reviews

  32
Xoxo Valley by Karl
January 27, 2023 · Community
More Show less
Comment
Cruzinha - Fontainhas - Ponta do Sol by Ralf
January 11, 2023 · Community
More Show less
When did you do this route? December 22, 2022
Photo: Ralf Metz, Community
Photo: Ralf Metz, Community
Photo: Ralf Metz, Community
Photo: Ralf Metz, Community
Photo: Ralf Metz, Community
Photo: Ralf Metz, Community
Photo: Ralf Metz, Community
Photo: Ralf Metz, Community
Photo: Ralf Metz, Community
Comment
Pico do Fogo, der „Feuer-Gipfel“ (2829 m), Insel Fogo, Cabo Verde - Kapverden by Ralf
January 11, 2023 · Community
More Show less
When did you do this route? December 18, 2022
Photo: Ralf Metz, Community
Photo: Ralf Metz, Community
Comment
Show more Show less

Destinations at Cape Verde


THE way to start your next outdoor experience!

Sign up for free
Travel Guide Cape Verde
App Store
Google Play Store
Huawei App Gallery
  • Our services
    • Register for free
    • Pro and Pro+
    • Pro for Search & Rescue
    • Benefits and discounts from our partners
    • Vouchers
    • B2B
  • More services
    • Help Center
    • Blog
    • Shop
    • Newsletter
    • Affiliate Program
  • Corporate
    • Discover Outdooractive
    • Careers
    • Team
    • corp.outdooractive.com
    • business.outdooractive.com
Learn more about the apps for Android and iOS
1% for the Planet Digitize the Planet
Choose a language
English
  • Deutsch
  • italiano
  • français
  • español
  • עברית
  • 中文
  • română
  • português (Portugal)
  • português (Brasil)
  • čeština
  • suomi
  • русский
  • magyar
  • norsk bokmål
  • slovenčina
  • Nederlands
  • 日本語
  • українська
  • हिन्दी
  • Türkçe
  • Ελληνικά
  • Mobile version
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cancellation policy
  • Customer information
  • Terms of payment
  • Map information
  • Legal Disclosure