An adventure trip in Fogo does not mean experiencing risky sports, but rather getting away from the crowds and into remote areas.
Perhaps with few facilities, but with plenty of opportunities to make it a top trip!
Our perfect adventure trip, this time in Sotavento, starts at Nelson Mandela International Airport in Praia. Where after a stopover we will board a domestic flight to the island of Fogo, the great volcano.
As soon as we take off and get altitude, the silhouette of the imposing volcano begins to be seen. 2800 meters culminating in a large crater that serves as a watchtower of the whole island. We will land in Sao Filipe, in an airfield with a runway that seems too short. The adventure trip in Fogo has already begun!
In order to plan our Fogo adventure, we will divide our stay in two parts. First we will focus on the volcano and its summit in the Cha das Caldeiras area. Then we will discover the coast of the island and the neighboring island of Brava, a small mountainous treasure known for its flowers and hills.
"It's a very mountainous piece of land, with virtually no flat land and no beach."
Descent of the Fogo volcano
Attention to what's coming in Fogo...
The Cha das Caldeiras area is located at more than 1700 meters above sea level, inside the caldera of an ancient volcano and right at the foot of Fogo peak, the still active volcano.
In this area the most spectacular and demanding treks are a must. Without forgetting the contact with the locals and their routines. These are some of our options:
- Summit of Pico de Fogo: A high mountain trekking of about 3 hours up the western slope of the volcano and with always amazing views. The best trekking in the whole country without any doubt.
- Pico Pequenho: in the last eruption of 2014 a new crater was formed. In it you can see a myriad of red, ocher and yellow colors as well as see some fumaroles still active.
- Cha wine cooperative: at more than 1700 meters, with little water and with the threatening presence of the volcano, in Cha grapes are grown and different wines are produced. We can make a visit to their facilities and do a tasting to learn firsthand its taste and peculiarities.
- Via ferratas: in recent years, local guides have installed cables and equipment to create different itineraries of via ferratas and equipped trails. An opportunity to get adrenaline while accessing unique corners originated by eruptions and lava flows and maximize your adventure trip in Fogo.
- Monte Velha trail: to descend again to the coast, there is no better way than going down the Monte Velha forest reserve. A eucalyptus forest that gradually turns into fields full of mango, papaya and coffee plantations.
As if it were not enough, three uninhabited islands in Cape Verde have lived somewhat oblivious to the more than 5 centuries of human presence in the archipelago. Just a few dozen kilometers from Sao Vicente, 3 islands remain impassive, preserving most of their original landscapes. This group forms one of the most important natural reserves of the archipelago.
Stone road in Brava
Once on the coast, we can walk around the island to continue getting to know the people of Fogo and its marine landscapes. Here the few beaches that we find are all black sand and the cliffs border the island almost entirely.
The capital of the island, Sao Filipe also offers attractions to be visited, as its cobblestone streets and colonial buildings make this small city a jewel of Cape Verdean colonial architecture.
And now a little "spoiler" of adventure in Brava...
Less than 2 hours by ferry from Sao Filipe, we discover the smallest island of all the Cape Verde islands, Brava. Also known as the island of flowers, it is a very mountainous piece of land, with practically no flat land and no beach. An abandoned airport, a fantastic bird refuge… and so far! haha, we will continue in another article.
These are some of the main recommendations that for us make this adventure trip in Fogo and Brava, a great experience; incredible landscapes, remote places and experiences that connect you with the whole environment.
