The second highest point, Pico de Ana Chaves (1,630 m [5,348 ft]), lies about 3 km (1.9 mi) to its south east.

The entire island of São Tomé is a massive shield volcano which rises from the floor of the Atlantic Ocean, over 3,000 m (10,000 ft) below sea level.

On the lower slopes are plantations of coffee and cocoa, and higher up are large trees swathed in orchids, lichens and other epiphytes.

On the highest areas, tree cover lessens and vegetation is shorter, while ferns make up a significant portion of plant diversity.

The ascent can be made in a single eighteen hour hike from Ponta Figo, but this does not allow much time for viewing the flora and fauna.