Santo Antão loop

This hike covers some of the most interesting hikes to do in the northern part of the island.
It starts with the classic PR1 SARG: Ponta do Sol - Cruzinha (around 16kms)
After Cruzinha, you walk on a fire road for a couple of kms until you connect with PR2 SARG: Boca Ambas as Riveiras (7.5kms). This will be the first challenging pass, around 700m of steep climb.
After it, another walk on a fire road will take you to Caibros where you can spend the night in the local accommodation or camp. (total distance 26kms).
Next day starts with a more challenging steep climb of around 1000m. The views are magnificent and you can enjoy a panoramic of some of the island peaks. Around 1200m the hike is a bit more boring. You will cross some villagers and walk through a canyon. Eventually a couple of kms on a cobblestone road will take you to Espongeiro. It is possible to spend the night there and have food in the local accommodation. You continue on the road towards Cova (an old crater), at the hike max altitude (1400m). There are some viewpoints next to the road but you gotta be lucky with the mist to make sure you can see something.
From Cova there is a 100m climb and you get the first views of Valle de Paul. Very steep descent of 700m towards the valley, where it is also possible to eat and stay for the night.
From there you start you way towards the coast, but rather than taking the road, you can take a local path which goes through fields and farmlands, an eventually to the top of Pico da Cruz. I recommend staying chez Sandra for a local coffee. The path goes down and eventually you merge with a cobblestone road to Cidade das Pompas. Feel free to finish your hike there and get on a Colectiv bus. Otherwise you can continue walking towards Ribeira Grande and cross the town of Sinagoga, but be aware that that road has more traffic so it might not be that nice.