Vale do Paúl
Cape Verde · Santo Antão · 600 m
Description
The Paúl valley cuts from the crater rim of Cova down to the sea in eight kilometres and drops sixteen hundred metres on the way, which packs almost every climate of Cape Verde into one walk. The upper valley is cloud forest and terraced fields of taro and yam, the middle is sugar cane and mango, the mouth is dry and rocky. Grogue distilleries work the cane by hand along the whole length. Cova itself is an extinct crater floor planted with crops, and the descent into it is the classic Santo Antão route. Guesthouses lie along the valley and break the walk anywhere.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 2 to 6 days (optimal 3 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: April – June or September – December
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Cova crater to Paúl descent
- Terraced fields and cloud forest of the upper valley
- Grogue distilleries and the cane presses
- Cova de Paúl extinct crater floor
- Cabo da Ribeira village
- Mango, papaya and sugar cane terraces
- Pico da Cruz and the ridge viewpoints
- Village guesthouses along the valley
- Cachupa and goat cheese from the terraces