Monte Verde is the highest point on São Vicente at 774 metres, and on clear days the summit offers views across to the island of Santo Antão, whose jagged ridges rise dramatically from the ocean a few kilometres to the northwest. The walk to the top takes two to three hours from the road that winds up from Mindelo.
The mountain is unusual for São Vicente in being genuinely green — the northeast trade winds bring enough moisture to sustain scrubby vegetation on the upper slopes, a striking contrast to the barren volcanic rock that covers most of the island. The walk is straightforward on a clear day but the summit can be cloud-covered; mornings generally offer the best chance of views.