Santo Antao

A breathtaking island of dormant volcanic mountains, Santo Antao is a sight-seer's nirvana.

This northern-most island rises out of the Atlantic Ocean like a frozen huddle of colossal dinosaurs and provides unquestionably the most spectacular rugged sights of the Cape Verde islands.

Ideal for the likes of a two-day break from the nearby sumptuous carnival island of Sao Vicente - the ferry is just a 50 minute trip from Mindelo - this rugged compilation of volcanic mountains is an altogether different experience and one that leaves each and every visitor equally spellbound.

Its mountainous topography makes it a hiker's paradise, with altitudes reaching over 1,500m in several places and the highest peak, Top de Coroa, rising to 1,979 m.

On San Antao you can weave your way slowly through some of the most overwhelmingly beautiful terrain in the world. Sheer mountains rise out of, and contrast with, rich tropical green valleys and tumble immediately down to the seas, creating great cliff edges and a massive Atlantic Roar as the waves collide with the volcanic rock face.

The lush, fertile valleys include the breathtaking Paul, which is on a par with any other on the planet. Another amazing valley, Janela, is where an ancient rock, dating back to the 1400s, was found and has inscriptions on it which suggest they were engraved by a civilization that might have arrived on the islands before the Portuguese.

Most tourists come here by ferry, from Mindelo on Sao Vicente, before embarking on what is arguably one of the great road journeys of the world - an unforgettable drive over the spine of the island to the serenity of the town of Ribeira Grande, with its narrow streets, in the north. This 26km road was built from volcanic stones which were lifted from the mountains and laid by hand to create a patchwork that meanders across deep gorges and volcanic ridges.

The misty mountainsides are dressed with eucalyptus and pine forests, providing jaw-dropping views at every turn.

The island is the second largest on Cape Verde and, despite its rugged landscape, boasts the third largest population, with just over 47,000 people today living permanently there. Discovered by Portuguese navigator Diogo Afonso in 1462, Santo Antao, it wasn't inhabited until the mid-16th century.

In addition to Porto Novo and the quiet, trekking base of Ribeira Grande, there is also much to see in the pretty town of Ponta do Sol, which is a ten minute drive from Ribeira Grande. Ponta do Sol is the island's municipality and here you will find grand, colonial buildings, the island's finest church, its small airport and where you can enjoy the local foods in excellent restaurants, as well as savour the best of Santo Antao nightlife.

Another remarkable location is the harbour town of Tarrafal de Monte Trigo, which sits next to an extensive black sandy beach at the end of a stunning lush valley.

The island is also famous for grogue, the famous Cape Verdean rum, which is fermented from locally grown sugar cane, coffee and bananas.

The main attraction on other Cape Verde islands may the exclusive resorts, tropical warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean and sandy beaches, but here on Santo Anto the experience is all about its volcanic mountains and tropical valleys.

That's the beauty of the archipelago, if you have enough of one paradise, you can quickly swap it for another!

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