GUNUNG · Tanjung Verde (Cabo Verde)

Pico do Fogo

Pico do Fogo (Chã das Caldeiras), Ilha do Fogo

Information

Elevation: 2.829 m
Country: Tanjung Verde (Cabo Verde) (CV)
Location / Range: Fogo Island, Cape Verde archipelago (Atlantic)
Mountain type: Active stratovolcano (cone within a caldera)
Volcanic?: Yes — volcano
Coordinates: 14.9493, -24.3404
Difficulty: Challenging but non-technical: about 1,000 m of steep lava and ash climbing on loose footing; the summit section is aided by steel cables/ropes; a fast descent via scree
Best Season: Year-round; most stable and dry Nov–Jun. Start at dawn (around 06:00) to avoid the heat; summit weather can be foggy/windy
Permits & Rules: No specific formal permit, but licensed local guides from Chã das Caldeiras are generally required and regulated by the local community
Hazards: Active volcano (last eruption 2014–2015), loose lava rock and ash slides, sun exposure and dehydration, exposure on the cabled summit section, volcanic gases in the fumarole area

Description

Pico do Fogo (2,829 m) is an active stratovolcano and the highest point of the island nation of Cape Verde, rising from the centre of a large caldera on Fogo Island. Its near-symmetrical cone stands inside the caldera walls of Chã das Caldeiras, an unusual village whose people live on and around lava fields — including flows from the major 2014–2015 eruption that buried part of the settlement. The classic climb starts from the crater village at about 1,700 m, ascending steadily over lava and volcanic ash for roughly 3–4 hours to the crater rim, with the final steep summit section often aided by steel cables. Its signature is the descent: hikers can run and slide quickly down a long field of fine ash scree. The summit offers a 360-degree panorama over the caldera, secondary cones and the Atlantic Ocean.

Gallery

Foto bersumber dari Wikimedia Commons — klik untuk memperbesar & lihat sumbernya.

Routes

Chã das Caldeiras → Puncak Pico do Fogo (rute utama)

Menantang non-teknis — medan curam, lava lepas & abu

4–7 jam pulang-pergi (naik ~3–4 jam, turun cepat lewat scree)

The classic route starts from the village inside the caldera, Chã das Caldeiras (~1,700 m), setting off at dawn around 06:00 to avoid the heat. Hikers climb steep lava and volcanic ash slopes for roughly 3–4 hours toward the crater rim; the final summit section is quite steep and partly aided by steel cables, via-ferrata style. A licensed local guide is generally required. The descent is far quicker, sliding down a field of fine ash scree.

Source

Summit Hike bibir kawah (panorama kaldera)

Sedang–berat — ±1 km tanjakan vertikal dengan batuan lepas

Sekitar 3–6 jam total

A variation of the Pico do Fogo climb crossing fields of black ash and volcanic rock up to the crater rim at 2,829 m, the highest point of Cape Verde. The top opens a 360-degree panorama over the whole of Fogo Island, the caldera, and lava flows from eruptions including 2014. Done with a guide, with a fun descent through loose volcanic sand and ash.

Source

Climbing Experiences

Pico do Fogo (2,829 m), an active stratovolcano and the highest peak of Cape Verde on Fogo Island, is climbed from the crater village of Chã das Caldeiras at about 1,700 m, usually starting at dawn with a local guide that is generally required. The ascent climbs steep lava and ash slopes for roughly 3–4 hours, with the final summit section aided by iron cables. The descent is much faster, letting hikers slide down a long field of loose volcanic scree. The sources below include first-person vlogs and accounts in several languages.

References

The summary above is compiled from the following sources. Click to explore them yourself.