FAIAL
The Blue Island
From the lookout of Cabeço Gordo, the ground seems to slide softly until it levels out by the seaside, where a profusion of hydrangeas brings to land the colour of the sea, as if materializing a romance between the blue of the flowers and the green of the vegetation and pastures. The same happens along the road leading to the Caldeira, in the centre of Faial, and on other roads, justifying the nickname of Blue Island. But there is a complete change at the Capelinhos Volcano, with its arid and rough landscape proving that grey can also be charming.
Interactive Trail Map
Cabeço do Canto
Category - Circular
Difficulty - Medium
Extension - 2.6 km
Time average - 2h00
Inserted in the area of protected landscape of the Central Area, this route allows us to go through areas of great volcanic interest like the volcanic ridge of Península do Cabeço, a Geosite with around 20 volcanic cones, from Cabeço dos Trinta until Capelinhos. Along the trail the marks change between the white, red and yellow from the intersection of Grand and Small Route and yellow and red from Small Route. The crossings are properly marked on site, with signaling arrows.
Begin the trail near the accessing road to Cabeço Verde and follow left between the wood until Furna Ruim, a lava cave with 55 meters deep. Gaze this volcanic phenomena with caution and proceed towards Algar do Caldeirão that you should go around by the right end side. Go down between the wood with several typical exemplars of laurel forest such as Azores Laurel (Laurus azorica), Azorean Holly (Ilex azorica), Azorean Heather (Erica azorica), among others.
Arriving to the lapilli road (red/black gravel), that you should cross carefully, continue climbing through a staircase until Cabeço do Canto. Go around the volcanic cone, by the left end side, enjoying the view to the volcano Vulcão dos Capelinhos. The return is done by the same way, going around the second cone by the right end side, until reaching the starting point.
At the end of the trail, profit to visit Cabeço Verde (accessible by road) visualizing the trail done and the view over Praia do Norte, Cabeço do Fogo, Morro do Castelo Branco and the remaining volcanic cones laid out sense East/West, culminating with the volcano Vulcão dos Capelinhos.
Caldeira
Category - Circular
Difficulty - Easy
Extension - 6.8 km
Time average - 2h30m
Inserted in the Natural Reserve of Caldeira of Faial and in a section of protected landscape of the Central Area, this circular route located in the center of the island, shows an important Geosite – Caldeira. With around 2 km in diameter, was formed through several eruptions, intertwined with periods of calm, along the last 400 thousand years. This trail goes along a height between 840 and 1040 meters, being advisable doing it in days of good weather and visibility. Along the trail the marks change between white, red and yellow from the intersection of Grand and Small Route and the yellow and red from Small Route. The crossings are properly marked on site, with signaling arrows.
Begin the trail at the viewpoint of Caldeira, cross the small tunnel accessing the crater and enjoy the view to its interior, filled with abundant flora, typical from the laurel forest. Back to the road, go up the stairs and follow right by a dirt road towards the Chapel of São João.
Along the trail it is possible to appreciate several specimens of endemic flora such as Azores Juniper (Juniperus brevifolia), Azorean Heather (Erica azorica), Azorean Blueberry (Vaccinium cylindraceum), Azorean Euphorbia (Euphorbia stygiana), Azorean Angelica (Angelica lignescens), among others.
As you go around Caldeira enjoy the views over the North and West coast, as well as its interior. Before the track starts going up towards Cabeço Gordo, the highest point of the trail with 1043 meters high, you will cross a connection to the West side of the island through the trail PR 06 FAI – Rota dos Dez Vulcões. Passing by the dishes, the trail goes down until the initial viewpoint. This part requires some caution due to its sharped unevenness. Reaching the parking place, there is the possibility to connect to the East side of the island through the trail PR 07 FAI - Caminhos Velhos.
Caminhos Velhos
Category - Linear
Difficulty - Hard
Extension - 17.5 km
Time average - 7h00
This route crosses a protected area for habitats and species management of Lomba Grande, a section of protected landscape of the Central Area and ends in the natural reserve of Caldeira of Faial. Major part of the trail is through the Graben of Pedro Miguel, one of the main Geosites of the Archipelago, ending in another also important one, Caldeira. This walk, besides its landscape value, takes place in old rural roads that connected the populations in the old times.
Begin the trail in the center of Ribeirinha, a parish that was hit by the earthquake of 1998, visible in the ruins of the church of São Mateus (1934). Continue until the coast, passing by the harbor of Boca da Ribeira and proceed until the Lighthouse of Ribeirinha (inaugurated in 1919), also damaged by the earthquake of 1998.
Continue by the interior of the wood, passing by the viewpoint of Ribeirinha and go down towards the place of Espalhafatos. Follow to the right by the road, with caution and ahead, on the left end side, by a dirt road accessing cultivated fields and pastures. The trail crosses a road and continues in an ascending phase until arriving to a forest road where you should continue by the left end side.
Enjoy this small descending stage of the trail to regain strength while crossing the protected area of Lomba Grande. Here there is a connection to the center of Ribeirinha through the trail PRC 09 FAI – Ribeirinha. Continue along this road until Charcos of Pedro Miguel, a privileged area for watching migrating birds and proceed along several dirt alleys that alternates with asphalted ground until reaching the resting area of Cabouco Velho. From here, the road winds through a lapilli road (red/black gravel) until you arrive to the viewpoint of Cabouco.
Once you reach the end of the trail, be sure to cross the tunnel with a view to the interior of the crater. Here, there is the possibility to cover the perimeter of the Caldeira through the rail PRC 04 FAI – Caldeira or make the connection with the West side of the island through the trail PR 06 FAI – Rota dos Dez Vulcões.
Dez Vulcões
Category - Linear
Difficulty - Hard
Extension - 19.3 km
Time average - 5h
This route goes along the natural reserve of Caldeira of Faial, in a section of protected landscape of the Central Area and ends in the protected area for habitats and species management of Capelinhos, Northwest Coast and Varadouro. Along the walk it is notorious the origin of the island with passage in the Geosite of Caldeira, volcanic ridge of Península of Capelo and area of Vulcão dos Capelinhos and Costado da Nau. This trail begins at an altitude between 800 and 900 meters, being advisable to do it in days of good weather and visibility.
Begin the trail at the viewpoint of Caldeira and before starting, cross the tunnel with view over the interior of the crater. The way goes around the Caldeira and before climbing to Cabeço Gordo (dishes), go right, towards the area of the volcano of Capelinhos.
Go down by the West slope of the island until you arrive to a dirt road, place where it follows the trail PR 03 FAI – Levada, until Cabeço dos Trinta. Along the walk you will have the opportunity to observe several exemplars of typical flora of laurel forest, as well as some birds from the Azores.
Passing by the water storage tank you can choose to make a detour through the accessing tunnel to Cabeço dos Trinta. Back to the trail, descend along the wood and forest roads until you arrive to the viewpoint of Cabeço do Fogo. Inserted in a protected area for the habitats and species management, besides the view, it has spots of native vegetation and it is an important area of nesting for the Common Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus azorica).
The trail proceeds through out woods, areas of cultivated fields and pastures, passing by Furna Ruim, Algar do Caldeirão and Cabeço do Canto until reaching the road, that you should cross carefully, accessing Capelinhos. Enjoy the scenery in front of you where the volcanic ashes predominate, resulting from the eruption of 1957/1958 and adding 2,4 square km to the island. Continue until the parking place of the Interpretative Centre of the Vulcão dos Capelinhos, place where the trail ends.
Entre Montes
Category - Circular
Difficulty - Easy
Extension - 3.4 km
Time average - 1h30m
WARNING: Due to maintenance reasons, the route will undergo a detour near Fábrica da Baleia. Follow the signs on the ground.
This circular route develops between Montes da Guia and Queimado, places of huge historical importance in Faial. Because of its strategic location, the peninsula was vital in the development of the telecommunications between Europe and the United States, where, in 1893 was installed the first underwater telegraphic cable, working until 1969 and crucial in periods such as the World Wars.
Begin the trail near the parking place of the Porto Pim beach. Pass by the Observatório do Mar dos Açores and with the facilities on your right, go up until the viewpoint of Lira. From here it is possible to see the bay with the fortress of São Sebastião on the opposite bank. All along the trail there are several fortifications for maritime protection from the XVI and XVII century, baptizing the place as Porto Pim, meaning Safe Harbor.
Continue until the road where you should follow right, crossing the chapel of Nossa Senhora da Guia. Proceed South, with Caldeirinhas (underwater volcano craters of Monte Guia) on your left, until the trail turns North with view over the beach. Pass by the Porto Pim Aquarium, where most of the common species of the Azorean seas are exhibited, and afterwards, the house of Dabney.
The family lived here from 1806 to 1894, leaving an enormous edified heritage, recovered by the Parque Natural de Ilha. At this stage of the walk, follow left along the beach, leaving Monte da Guia and entering Monte Queimado, a volcano of terrestrial origin.
At the end of the beach follow right by Rua da Rosa and at the end, turn right again by the peak of Monte Queimado. Before reaching the top, profit to rest and enjoy the view over the marina of Horta.
The trail continues until the parking place, place where the walk began. After the walk, profit to visit all the places of interest along the trail.
Levada
Category - Linear
Difficulty - Easy
Extension - 7.6 km
Time average - 2h30m
Inserted in the part of protected landscape of the Central Area, this linear route crosses sections of great volcanic interest, passing by the Geosite of Peninsula do Capelo and of great richness regarding species of fauna and flora typical from the laurel forest. Along the trail the marks change between white, red and yellow from the intersection of Grand and Small Route and the yellow and red from Small Route. The crossings are properly marked on site, with signaling arrows.
Begin the trail near Cabeço dos Trinta, village of Capelo. Choose the detour on the right end side until the tunnel accessing the interior of the Cabeço, a volcanic cone filled with endemic vegetation. Return the same way until the dirt road, follow right until the water storage tank, that you should cross by the left end side and continue until you find the levada (water channel).
Considered as one of the greatest engineering works of the Azores, was inaugurated in 1964, after 4 years of construction and 7 years of planning. Located 680 meters high and along 10 km long (nowadays only 8 km can be done), had as main function supply water for the production of hydroelectric energy. The water is captured in several points along the track, and later, channeled to the mini hydric central, in Varadouro.
Now and then, clearings are seen along the track that will allow you to visualize the alignment of the volcanic cones of the Volcanic Complex of Capelo. Proceed along the endemic vegetation such as Azores Laurel (Laurus azorica), Buckthorn (Frangula azorica), Azorean Holly (Ilex azorica), Azorean Heather (Erica azorica), among others. It is also possible to watch some birds from the Azores like the Common Blackbird (Turdus merula azorensis), Goldcrest (Regulus regulus inermis) and the Common Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs moreletti).
The trail continues following the levada, intervened along the 2 km with restoration works in 2013 until the place where the walk ends at Alto do Chão, village of Cedros.
Ribeirinha
Category - Circular
Difficulty - Easy
Extension - 8.3 km
Time average - 2h30
This circular route in the village of Ribeirinha evolves partially in the protected area for habitats and species management of Lomba Grande and the Graben of Pedro Miguel, one of the main Geosites of the Archipelago. Also known as the volcanic complex of Ribeirinha, represents the oldest part of the island with around 800 thousand years.
Begin the trail in the center of the village of Ribeirinha, hit by the earthquake of 1998, seen in the ruins of the Church of São Mateus, built in 1934. Go along the coast, passing by the harbor of Boca da Ribeira, old fishing pier, nowadays equipped with recreational facilities on shore such as bathrooms and a picnic area. Proceed along the wood, among exemplars of Japanese Cedar (Crytomeria japonica) and the endemics Azores Juniper (Juniperus brevifolia), Azorean Heather (Erica azorica), among others. Continue until the Lighthouse of Ribeirinha (inaugurated in 1919), also hit by the earthquake of 1998.
Proceed in the interior of the wood passing by the viewpoint of Ribeirinha and ahead, after crossing the road carefully, the place of Espalhafatos. Here it is possible to make a small roundtrip detour to see the church of São Mateus. Back to the main track, go up by a dirt road that give access to farming fields and pastures. When arriving to a small tarmac road you should go left. Further ahead you can make a roundtrip detour, on your right hand side, to see the viewpoint of Pedras Negras.
At this point, the trail starts to descend through the protected area of Lomba Grande. Here you can choose to connect with other points of the island through the trail PR 07FAI – Caminhos Velhos and GR 01 FAI – Costa a Costa. Go down the wood by the right end side until you reach the regional road, which you should go along very carefully, on your left end side.
Arriving to the center of the village, visit the ruins of the Church São Mateus and explore this very important historical place in the history of the island.
Rocha da Fajã
Category - Circular
Difficulty - Medium
Extension - 5 km
Time average - 2h30
Inserted in the protected area for the habitats or species management of Capelinhos, Northwest coast and Varadouro, this route shows Fajã da Praia do Norte, greatly affected by the historical eruption of Cabeço do Fogo, in 1672. The cliff, of mist origin (detrital and lava stone), constitutes the Geosite of the Fossil Cliff of Praia do Norte and represents an important place for the settlement of the population due to its micro climate that allowed the production of vineyards, wine cellars construction and summer houses.
Begin the trail near the regional road and follow the marks passing by several fountains until you start to descend by a dirt road accessing cultivated fields. Go down, carefully, until you arrive to the cliff covered with laurel forest typical vegetation such as Azorean Heather (Erica azorica), White Wood (Picconia azorica) among others. Little further ahead there is a viewpoint to the North coast of the island.
Arriving to the base, cross the stream of Adão and follow the street of Rua das Adegas until Praia do Norte beach, known locally for the practice of surf. Continue along the coast passing by a kinder park, an area for the protection of endemic plants and a picnic area.
From here the trail goes to the center of Praia do Norte, passing by the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Penha de França, built in 1787. The trail follows the road until going up the cliff by a dirt road, on the left. Reaching again the road, turn right on the fountain until the place where the path begins.
Rumo ao Morro de Castelo Branco
Category - Circular
Difficulty - Easy
Extension - 3.7 km
Time average - 1h30m
Partially inserted in the protected area for the habitats and species management of Varadouro and passing by the natural reserve and geosite of Morro do Castelo Branco, this route allows us to access the trachyte dome with the same name, a Geosite that forms a peninsula on the Southeast part of the island.
Begin the trail at Lombega, near the regional road and go alongside passing by a café where you can stop to refill. Follow the marks, on the left end side, by a dirt road accessing cultivated fields until reaching the cliff. Continue near the cliff among the several exemplars of Azorean Heather (Erica azorica), Fayatree (Morella faya) and Giant Reed (Arundo donax).
Follow the marks, passing on your left by a view point, overlooking the youngest part of the island, the area of Capelinhos. Ahead, there is Morro do Castelo Branco, resulting of a coastal volcanic eruption, with around 300 thousand years and an important nesting place for some species of sea birds like the Cory’s Shearwater (Calonnectris diomedea borealis), Common tern (Sterna hirundo), Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) and Barolo Shearwater (Puffinus baroli). When reaching a gate, choose the detour on your right end side, towards Morro and before the end of the road profit the view on the East, to Pico island.
From here the trail continues the same way until the gate where you should follow right and ahead, on your left end side, by an asphalted road accessing cultivated fields and pastures. This road continues until the regional road. Place where the trail ends.
Faial from Coast to Coast
Category - Linear
Difficulty - Hard
Extension - 36.8 km
Time average - 12h
This trail takes us into the time of the island’s formation, passing by volcanic cones and chimneys, craters and caves, mysterious and characteristic places of the beautiful Azorean volcanic landscapes.
It starts in the parish of Ribeirinha, the oldest and most eastern point of the island. In fact, the trail runs on one of the transversal faults of the great submarine ridge, located towards the West of Faial - the Mid-Atlantic Ridge - a true scar in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
It resulted from the last great continental separation and oceanic expansion that began 300 million years ago, along which volcanoes get installed, forming islands at the surface.
This route starts exactly where the island’s first piece of land was formed due to eruptions of the old Ribeirinha Volcano of about 800 000 years of age that originated the volcanic complex with the same name.
The trail reaches an altitude of 1000m, passing by old paths and by Faial’s Caldeira, the crater of a dormant volcano with a diameter of 2 km and a depth of 400m. It was originated about 500 000 years ago and the successive eruptive phases built the central zone of Faial, named as Cedros Volcanic Complex. This Caldeira, covered by luxuriant Laurel Forest vegetation, in which you can try the feeling of living on these mist islands, has collapsed throughout its different eruptions, whose most recent one occurred only 1200 years ago, covering 70% of the island with pumice stone.
The unique characteristics resulting from the island’s young age make this trail that crosses the island from the Eastern coast to the Western coast even more attractive. You will pass by luxuriant landscapes typical of these islands, until you will reach the authentic moon desert of Capelinhos Volcano landscape, frequently called “the last volcano of the line” for it is the most recent element of a fissural volcanism that produces an authentic alignment of cones.
This process was initiated 15 000 years ago and ends at Capelinhos Volcano that resulted from the eruption of 1957/58. This volcano was responsible for the emission of 175.000.000m3 of ashes, forming the present Capelo’s Volcanic Complex, Europe’s most recent volcanic peninsula, where this trail ends