Estrada da Corda
A historic stone-paved mountain road over the central ridge of Cape Verde's Santo Antão island, from the ferry port of Porto Novo through the Cova crater to Ribeira Grande, lined with cliffs and deep valleys.
Estrada da Corda is a historic road on Santo Antão Island in Cape Verde. Built in the mid-20th century from hand-laid basalt stone, it runs from the southern ferry port of Porto Novo, climbs the island's central ridge past the Cova crater and several pine-covered passes, and then follows the steep ridgeline down to Ribeira Grande on the north coast. It is about 35 km long, and its highest point is over 1,400 m. Lined with valleys hundreds of metres deep, terraced fields, and small villages in the clouds, it is considered the most spectacular road in Cape Verde and is almost a must-do on Santo Antão. A common itinerary is to take a roughly one-hour ferry from Mindelo on São Vicente to Porto Novo. Then hire a car or take a shared aluguer minibus along Estrada da Corda to the north coast. Get off at the Cova crater and hike down to Paul Valley, or spend one to two nights in Ribeira Grande or Ponta do Sol, visiting Torre Valley and the village of Fontainhas. Since a new coastal asphalt road was built after 2009, Estrada da Corda carries less traffic and offers even better views. The road is paved with stone blocks, narrow, with sharp bends, and in places without guardrails. It is slippery after rain, so drive carefully, and it is best to hire a local driver.