Track 212 : Ponta do Sol - Fontainhas - Corvo - Forminguinhas - Cruzinha

Beneath Cliffs and Rocks Virtual Hike: Ponta do Sol - Fontainhas - Corvo - Forminguinhas - Curzinha - Chă de Igreja Not recommended in rainy and stormy weather because of frequent rockfall.
Ponta do Sol	This hike of about 5 hours starts in the old colonial town of *Ponta do Sol, a quiet place since its harbour has lost importance due to the new harbour of Porto Novo. The little airport and the allocation of the maiors office have not significantly disturbed its profound sleep. A nice place where to sit and watch is the little harbour of boca de pistola* (Pistol's mouth) where small rowing boats bring in goods and fishermen. Click the pictures for a closer look.
Fontainhas	A little road winds through the rocks to the west and after an hour of walk reaches the pitoresque village of Fontainhas. Most villages in the mountains are built on the ridges in order to protect them from being washed away by the strong tropical rains or hit by rockfall. While in Years of draught the valley is virtually dry, in years of rainfall it is covered over and over with crops.
View at Ponta do Sol	From the following pass there is a nice view back on the peninsula of Ponta do Sol and the endless Atlantic. A good mule-path winds down to the village of Corvo. After climbing a few meters on the opposite slope, it continues to follow the rocky coastline.
close by Aranhas	After the next village, named Forminguinhas (=little ants), the track goes for a short while over the pebbles of the beach.
Praia da RŞ Seca	Then rocks tower up even higher and the track goes beneath them in hollow-like gorges. This part of the path is prone to rockfalls and should not be used during storm and rain - and in the first two weeks after rainfall. Having passed, we arrive at the wonderful black beach of Praia da RŞ Seca.
Pedrifications at Curzinha	Pedrifications of roots give rise to endless speculations about times when pastures in Cape Verde where greener. Surely, until 1968, the island was not only self-reliant. It even could feed Săo Vicente, while today over 90% of staple food is imported. We would be happy to learn more about it from those who manage to study those pedrifications in greater detail.
Chă de Igeja (Garça)	Chă de Igreja is a fairly well managed, nice and clean little village, mainly due to revenues from emigration and successful agriculture. Theres is Accommodation and "On parle Français! Parfaitement!" Bush taxis are rarely found in the afternoon and it may be difficult to get a car back to Povaçăo da RŞ Grande Grande. If you walk up (enjoably) to the bridge of Horta da Garça, your chances improve. Otherwise it is not a bad idea to join a party renting a car from Ra Grande in the early morning and do this walk in opposite direction.