Volcanoes in Cape Verde are another living element of the landscape that coexists harmoniously with its inhabitants on a daily basis.
If there is something striking about Cape Verde, it is the diversity of ecosystems that can be found in just a dozen islands. A visit to the archipelago means coming across dream beaches, the most abrupt mountains, dunes, arid landscapes… All this in just a few kilometers of distance!
Nor can we forget the volcanoes in Cape Verde, since this type of formations in the country is a constant. There are extinct volcanoes as well as active ones, so there is no doubt that the Cape Verdean archipelago is a box of surprises.
Cape Verde is an archipelago of volcanic origin, although this condition is especially evident on the island of Fogo. Not in vain, its name is no coincidence, as Fogo means “fire”. On this island there is a proliferation of volcanic landscapes, those that will make you feel like you are on another planet. This is the destination for trekking enthusiasts.
Pico do Fogo: the volcano in Cape Verde that reawakened in 2014
What’s more, the island of Fogo even allows you to hike next to the caldera of an active volcano, as is the case of Pico do Fogo, which rises imposingly to an altitude of 2,900 meters. The National Park to which the highest peak in the country belongs is a real treat for nature lovers and hikers, because it is not every day that you have the opportunity to walk next to a volcano that can wake up at any time!
"Look out over the caldera of Pico do Fogo and walk along the slopes of the volcano feeling the heartbeat of the earth."
For a volcano to be classified as active means that it can erupt at any time, despite how dormant it may seem. That is what happened that morning in November 2014. Pico do Fogo erupted again after 19 years without doing so. The lava affected mainly the town of Cha das Caldeiras, located at the foot of the volcano, sweeping away everything in its path.
Fortunately, there were no deaths, although there was considerable damage, especially in the neighboring towns.
What is clear is that the island of Fogo is only suitable for thrill seekers, don’t you think?
Volcano tour in Cape Verde: would you dare to get close to a caldera?
One of the most incredible experiences you can have in the archipelago related to the volcanoes in Cape Verde is, precisely, to go to the caldera of Pico do Fogo and walk along its slopes. This is, without a doubt, an excursion that has become increasingly popular among the most adventurous travelers.
The caldera of Pico do Fogo has an extension of about 8 kilometers, so the trekking in the vicinity of the volcano will take a good part of the day. However, the views and the feeling of being on the roof of Cape Verde will compensate the effort.
As you can see, the volcanoes in Cape Verde represent another of the many attractions of this archipelago that does nothing but surprise us.
