Parque Natural do Monte Gordo
Parque Natural do Monte Gordo
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
13 reviews
Excellent
7
Very good
6
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Jennifer Widom
Stanford, CA49 contributions
Dec 2015 • Family
We arrived in Tarrafal on Sao Nicolau by sailboat and wanted to spend a day hiking in the mountainous interior including Monte Gordo Natural Park. Although we could have managed it on our own with aluguers and a good map, we decided to hire a guide. Rotxa Skribida popped up on the internet, and the owner Antonio (nickname Toi) was very quick responding to our emails; he was also our guide. Toi was fantastic: excellent English, engaging personality, and very knowledgeable about the island's nature and history. We travel quite a bit, and while we often have good guides, every once in a while there's a standout. Toi is one of those. Highly recommended!
Written January 6, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carmina G
Alcacovas, Portugal16 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
Located on the highest point of the island. The ‘Monte Gordo’ National park, has a dazzling view! Great for a morning Trekking circuit. There are several species of ‘Dragoeiro’, and other trees/plants to admire. You can book your visit and have a monitor guiding and explaining all to you.
Written September 7, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
T-SGlobetrotters
Preston, UK4,090 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
The protected park area covers around 952ha in the north west of Sao Nicolau between Cachaco in the east (where the entrance to the park and its information centre is located), Hortela to the south and the start of the Fragata valley at its most northerly point. There are four suggested walks inside the park boundaries, described in a brochure available at the visitor centre. The 4.6 km main Recreational walk a fairly flat circular tour starts and the entrance to the park taking in small farmsteads and agricultural land, the Southern view walk 8km around the base of Mt Gordo, the West loop a 4km walk linking up with the recreational route and a Mt Gorgo summit walk of 1.5km. Copy of the Map is attached to this review. Guides are not needed and were not available at the time of our visit. Note the park reception is closed at the weekend although you still have access to the park.
We did not do the walks listed above but opted for a longer walk starting out north of Cachaco village which skirts the edge of the park before heading out towards Praia Branca. This is the ‘Northern auxiliary’ route climbing quite high up the valley and follows the edge of the park all the way to the Fragata valley where you turn off left, eventually reaching Praia Branca. Walk is around 11/12 km and took around 4 hours. From here it is necessary to find transport back to your accomodation. The landscape views all along the route were absolutely glorious and very enjoyable. We class this as one of the highlights of our Cape Verde visit.
The following day we did a lovely circular walk, starting and ending in Ribeira Brava up to Cachaco at the edge of the park entrance, around 11km in total taking around 4 hours. Again superb views and very interesting local interest in the valley base.This walk starts out on the path to Cachaco from Ribeira Brava, once in the village follow the main road south for around 2km towards Tarrafal before turning off left at a sharp right hand bend. The footpath takes you back to Ribera Brava.
For both walks we would recommend walking poles and good walking shoes, there is some loose shale and occasional steep ascents and descents but paths are generally in good condition, both walks are well worth the effort and almost certainly you will have the route to yourselves other than the occasional local person. This is well off the normal tourist track and provides a real and fascinating insight into rural Cape Verde. Guides not required.
We did not do the walks listed above but opted for a longer walk starting out north of Cachaco village which skirts the edge of the park before heading out towards Praia Branca. This is the ‘Northern auxiliary’ route climbing quite high up the valley and follows the edge of the park all the way to the Fragata valley where you turn off left, eventually reaching Praia Branca. Walk is around 11/12 km and took around 4 hours. From here it is necessary to find transport back to your accomodation. The landscape views all along the route were absolutely glorious and very enjoyable. We class this as one of the highlights of our Cape Verde visit.
The following day we did a lovely circular walk, starting and ending in Ribeira Brava up to Cachaco at the edge of the park entrance, around 11km in total taking around 4 hours. Again superb views and very interesting local interest in the valley base.This walk starts out on the path to Cachaco from Ribeira Brava, once in the village follow the main road south for around 2km towards Tarrafal before turning off left at a sharp right hand bend. The footpath takes you back to Ribera Brava.
For both walks we would recommend walking poles and good walking shoes, there is some loose shale and occasional steep ascents and descents but paths are generally in good condition, both walks are well worth the effort and almost certainly you will have the route to yourselves other than the occasional local person. This is well off the normal tourist track and provides a real and fascinating insight into rural Cape Verde. Guides not required.
Written January 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pierre W
Brussels, Belgium23,486 contributions
Feb 2018 • Solo
Monte Gordo remained hidden in the clouds during my 6 days on Sao Nicolau, and you will also face a fierce wind. But you can hike on the trails lower down, for instance till Ribeira do Calhaus. No need for a guide.
There is now an entrance fee of 300 CVE, free on Saturday and Sunday.
There is also a bungalow where you can spend the night, but you need to bring your own food.
There is now an entrance fee of 300 CVE, free on Saturday and Sunday.
There is also a bungalow where you can spend the night, but you need to bring your own food.
Written February 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Camina, I am a Norwegian who will visit Sao Nicolau from 20. to 27. of January. I intend to walk some days in the park. Do I then need to carry with me a tent, a sleping bag and Food? Or will I find accomodation there? When I arrive on Sao Nicolau I would
like to stay the first night in a nice place not to far rom the park. Do you have a place and hotels to recommend? Best regards, Geir PS! It wlll be fine if you can email your answer to my adress: geir.kirkeboen@psykologi.uio.no
Written January 8, 2019
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