Cova to Paul Hike: Complete Guide from Ponta do Sol, Santo Antão
The Cova to Paul hike is the most famous walk on the island of Santo Antão, Cape Verde — and if you are looking for a guesthouse for the Cova to Paul hike, Ponta do Sol is the natural place to stay. Our guesthouse sits in this quiet north-coast village, the traditional base for walkers exploring the crater highlands, the valley of Paul and the coastal trails of northern Santo Antão.
This guide covers everything you need: the route, how to reach the trailhead, difficulty, what to pack, and how to plan your overnight stay in Ponta do Sol before and after the walk.
The Cova to Paul route at a glance
Cova is a small village set inside the crater of an extinct volcano at roughly 1,400–1,600 metres above sea level. From the crater rim, the trail drops into the Vale de Paul, a spectacular terraced valley of sugar cane, banana palms and tiny hamlets, and descends almost the whole way down to the village of Paul near the coast. Most walkers complete it in around four to five hours over approximately 13 kilometres — almost entirely downhill, on a mix of cobbled footpaths, dirt tracks and short road sections.
- Start point: Cova village, reachable by road from Ponta do Sol in about an hour
- Finish point: the valley of Paul (Vila das Pombas area), near sea level
- Distance: about 13 km, mostly descending
- Time: typically 4–5 hours at a relaxed pace
- Difficulty: moderate — the length and the steady descent under a strong sun are the main challenges
- Highlights: the crater rim viewpoint, irrigated terraces, sugar cane groves and dramatic canyon walls
Getting to the trailhead from Ponta do Sol
The trail is a one-way descent, so the practical plan is simple: take a shared minibus (aluguer) or a pre-arranged private transfer from Ponta do Sol up the winding mountain road to Cova, walk down through the Vale de Paul, and arrange transport back from the valley around the island road. Ask us when you book — we help our guests organise transfers and can advise on timings in every season.
From the rim of the crater you can see both of Santo Antão's great northern valleys: the Vale de Paul on one side and the valley of the Ribeira Grande river system on the other. From the same starting point, a second classic route descends towards Coculi and the Ribeira Grande valley — a good plan for a second hiking day.
What to bring on the Cova to Paul hike
- Sturdy walking shoes with grip — cobbled and rocky sections get slippery when wet
- At least 2 litres of water per person; more in the warmer months
- Sun protection: hat, sunscreen and sunglasses — the highland sun is intense
- Layers: mornings in Cova are cool and windy, the valley bottom is hot
- Cash for aluguers, fresh fruit and the famous grog (sugar cane rum) tastings in Paul
- A offline map or GPX track — phone coverage is patchy in the valley
When to hike it
The best months for hiking in Santo Antão are November to May, when the trade winds keep temperatures comfortable and the paths are at their driest. From August to October the rainy season turns the island dramatically green, but trails can be muddy and slippery. Whenever you come, start early — by mid-afternoon clouds often roll over the crater and visibility drops.
Where to stay: guesthouse for the Cova to Paul hike
Most walkers stay two or three nights in Ponta do Sol: one to acclimatise and drive up to Cova the next morning, and another to recover and explore the coastal trails around Ponta do Sol. Apartamento Fritzi is a small, affordable guesthouse in Ponta do Sol, Santo Antão — up to two guests, a fully equipped kitchen for your trekking breakfasts and recovery dinners, fast Starlink Wi-Fi for uploading photos, and a terrace with mountain views over the village.
Ready to plan the walk? Check availability and book direct — send a booking request with your dates and we will confirm availability with a personal reply.