Cabo Verde Ribeira Trail

25 NOVEMBER / 2TH DECEMBER 2023
40 PARTICIPANTS MAX.
5 STAGES RACE
54KM – 3800D+ 4700D- / WALK OR RUN
97KM – 6000D+ 8400D- / RUN ONLY
DIFFICULTÉ: HARD
INDIVIDUAL PRICE 1850€ (WITHOUT FLIGHTS)

Arriving through Sao Pedro airport, we reach the capital of the island of Sao Vicente, Mindelo. A city that became known by the famous singer, Cesaria Evora, the woman from the port who became the “Barefoot Diva” who revealed the beauties of her archipelago to the eyes of the world. A bubbling city where we will stay several nights (two nights at the start of the stay and one night at the end of the stay).

Participants will be officially expected from Saturday 26 November at the airport.

Saturday and Sunday will be devoted to acclimatization, relaxation and various visits to the island to acclimatize and immerse yourself gently in Cape Verdean culture.

The next morning, the start of the trail will be given on this same island with a rather rolling first route. In total, 19KMS (370D+ ​​/ 650D-) for the long distance and 10kms for the short distance (150D+ / 150D-). This stage 1 of Sao Vicente offers a first glimpse of the requirement of the routes but also of its riches with a route drawn between oases, villages and the seaside. You will have to work in the last meters to reach the Viana volcano before reach our point of arrival. After lunch in the small fishing village of Calhau, we will take the ferry to reach the island opposite, Santo Antao. One hour of crossing, to then discover Porto Novo and enjoy its hotel with swimming pool, located on the beach.

The 2nd stage, named Bordeira de Norte, is a volcanic plateau in the western part of the island, dry and arid. In total 18KMS (470D+ 950D-) or 10KMS (400D+ 700D-). The first part offers trails between volcanoes, canyons and small cottages. After a technical descent, the second part of the route is a dizzying path between the mountains that offers breathtaking views of the island. A first feeling of the end of the world! A nice descent to finish and join the buses that will take us to our place of lunch. A sublime setting in the middle of the mountains where you can swim in a natural pool. We will then be back in Porto Novo for the evening and dinner.

The 3rd stage, the Vale de Paul, a mythical and unmissable stage with this lush valley contrasting with the arid landscapes seen the day before. It is the most complicated stage for the short distance 10KMS (800D+ 1000D-). Participants will alternate between walking and jogging between the many climbs and descents. Immersed in the heart of this valley, you will be carried away by the beauty of these landscapes between agricultural fields, villages and the smiles of the locals who will greet you as you pass. On the long distance, 20KMS (730D+ 1700D-), the participants will also have the opportunity to discover this valley but before they will have to make a loop around the cova de Paul, the island’s famous volcano. Greener and wetter landscapes, where it will be necessary to cover more, because it is not rare that in this denser vegetation, the clouds stagnate and remain clinging to the mountains, even offering you a few droplets of water retained by the trees. The junction to reach the valley will be at the cost of a demanding descent of more than 2kms in the mythical stairs characteristic of the paths of Cape Verde. A stage rich in points of view and encounters. The peasants knew how to tame this land and turn it into a green setting where scarce water is a precious and shared commodity. On the trail, you will also come across the locals who use it every day and if you listen carefully, you will even hear the many honks of the fishermen who warn the population of the arrival of fresh fish. A wonderful immersion in this valley which, without a doubt, will be a highlight of the stay.

Arrivals will be done slowly and lunch will be around Paul. An opportunity to discover the city before joining the charming holiday village where we will stay for two nights, Pedracin. Perched in the middle of the mountains, this complex offers all the necessary comfort with a swimming pool with a view of the mountains. The end of the afternoon will be devoted to rest (optional massages). Depending on the level of fatigue of each, we can stroll through the alleys of the city of Ponta do Sol, before eating in one of the restaurants in the city. A view of the ocean, Cape Verdean music to crown this beautiful day. Ponta Do Sol which will be the place of our final arrival of our trail.

The 4th stage around Cha de Pedras, is traced in what we could call the balconies of Ribeira Grande. The short distance will be easier than the day before with 9KMS (350D+ 400D-) while the long distance will be the most demanding stage with a course of 17KMS (1300D+ 1300D-). This stage will once again be an immersion in this jagged valley with breathtaking views. After a last path along the irrigation canals, the arrival of the stage will be close to Ribeira Grande where we will have lunch before discovering this city.

Final stage of the Cabo Verde Ribeira Trail, you will have to overcome this stage 5 of Ponta do Sol to be the finisher of this beautiful immersion in Cape Verdean land: 22.5KMS (1220D+ 1300D-) or 15KMS (750D+ 750D-) depending on your choice. A demanding coastal path that goes up and down constantly but with breathtaking views of the ocean and the villages of Corvo and Fontainhas, two colorful villages perched in the middle of the mountains. A breathtaking stage! For the long distance, you will still have to be on your entry legs because a demanding climb awaits you for the first three kilometers before starting a descent with the ocean in your sights. An arrival by the sea to celebrate the end of the race. Once the step is complete, we will resume the direction of Mindelo passing by the rope route offering us the last panoramas of Santo Antão. In Mindelo, a festive closing evening in the Cape Verdean tradition will come to close a beautiful intense week of efforts and sharing.

Back in our departure hotel, a musical evening will be offered to you before enjoying the next day freely Mindelo before taking the plane to your home.

Please note that participants have the option of arriving in advance or extending their stay, by one or more days, but this extension of stay will be at their expense.