The rugged peaks and canyons of northeast Santo Antao are one of the world's great landscape dramas. Precarious roads trace the top of its ridges giving sheer views on both sides down thousand-metre cliffs into the tiny settlements below.
The people live in a series of deep valleys, their world enclosed by colossal volcanic walls. As you ascend the valley on foot you discover in astonishment that the settlements reach high into the cliffsides, clinging to ledges and surrounded by banana trees and cassava. In the west of the island is an apocalyptic and inaccessible landscape of steep walls, jagged edges and harsh ravines.
There is one overwhelming attraction: hiking the ribeiras and the mountains. Non-Hikers can also appreciate the landscape from the spectacular drives over the ridges and along the ribeira floors. The road from Porto to Ribeira Grande is one of the highlights of a visit to Cape Verde.
© by Bradt Travel Guide [5]