São MIGUEL
The Green Island
The landscape of São Miguel is marked by two mountain areas separated by a low altitude platform. Nicknamed the Green Island, its landscape is made up of extensive fields and patches of tress that were forced into the valleys of streams and into difficult to reach areas. Cryptomeria stands out on the island’s productive forest land and reaches large dimensions in dense woods that are one of the most iconic images of São Miguel. The original flora still survives in small areas, with native and endemic species such as the Azores heather, faya, laurel and holly serving as a shelter for a very special bird, the Azores Bullfinch, and making up a palette of different shades of green spread out along the horizon.
Interactive Trail Map
Agrião
Category - Linear
Difficulty - Medium
Extension - 7.6 km
Time average - 3h00
This linear route near the coast connects Povoação to Ribeira Quente, passing by Lomba do Cavaleiro. This trail, widely used before by the people that worked the productive areas of Agrião region, is also a crossing point of the pilgrimage along the island.
Begin the trail near the bathing area of Povoação and if the conditions allow (calm sea and no sand) go along the beach passing by the base of Ferro bridge, following after to the main road. This centennial bridge over the creek of Pelames is also a shelter to several types of Azores Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus azorica). In case of bad weather or high tide, choose to go up along the main road and after the bridge, make a detour on your left towards the creek. Back to the main road, go up along the main road (EN1-1A) until you find a detour on the left going to Lomba do Cavaleiro. In this detour profit to enjoy the view over Tronqueira/Graminhais.
Reaching to the second panel, the track leaves the main road and goes down a dirt road until the creek of Agrião. Cross carefully the creek, especially after raining days. Continue, now on a descending stage, by a wood with mainly Australian Cheesewood (Pittosporum Undulatum), Australian Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon), among others. The route proceeds parallel to the road, heading Ribeira Quente, crossing Ponta do Garajau (private property), a viewpoint where (in days of good visibility) it is possible to see the island of Santa Maria and the Chapel of Santa Rita. Finish the walk near the harbor of Ribeira Quente and profit to explore this village.
Caldeiras da Ribeira Grande - Salto do Cabrito
Category - Circular
Difficulty - Medium
Extension - 8.5 km
Time average - 2h30
Begin this walk at Ribeira Grande hot springs, going down the asphalted road and turn left heading Lombadas/Monte Escuro until you find a pipeline.
Continue left on the asphalted road and turn right, transpose a wall and follow along the way to gain access to the Fajã do Redondo Dam.
Take the same road back until the same pipeline and follow it until you find a detour on your left side, near a gate. When you arrive to the Hydroelectric Power Plant of Fajã do Redondo, climb the stairs that give access to a metallic sidewalk and continue until you reach the Hydroelectric Power Plant of Salto do Cabrito. Go round the building so you can see the waterfall that gives name to this power plant. Before climbing you will go through a detour on your right, near a stream, ending in sparkling water spring.
Return to the main road and go up until you reach the asphalted road, turning right. Follow the marks and turn right to a dirt road. Here you have to overcome two streams, the second one with bigger flow, being advisable to cross it barefooted.
Ahead you will find a fork, go right, cutting the your first on your left side until you see a paved road where you should turn right again, back to the Caldeiras of Ribeira Grande
Chá Gorreana
Category - Circular
Difficulty - Easy
Extension - 3.4 km
Time average - 1h30
This circular route along the tea plantations begins at the parking place of the Gorreana tea factory.
Working since 1883, it is the oldest tea plantation in Europe. The used plant – Camellia sinensis – for the green and black tea, was introduced in the island in 1750, brought by the ships returning from the East.
Carefully cross the gate on the way out of the factory towards the gate accessing the tea plantations.
Follow left side along an ascending dirt road, parallel to the main road that winds among the plantation and, later, woods of Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica). After crossing a stone bridge, pastures will take place over the tea plantations and the woods. You will find some agricultural fields, supporting houses for agricultural activity and the last tea plantations. In this high point of the trail, profit to enjoy the view over the North coast of the island.
Following the marks, leave the main road that goes up on the left, continuing by a descending narrow dirt road. This road, once used by the workers on the harvest season, goes down between the plantations until the tea factory where the trail ends.
Already in the factory, rest and enjoy a cup of tea and learn more about the tea cultivation on the island through the different proceedings for its production.
Lagoa das Furnas
Category - Circular
Difficulty - Easy
Extension - 9.5 km
Time average - 3h00
This circular route in Furnas begins at the parking place, at the entrance of the village, near Largo das Três Bicas.
Follow the marks along the village, passing by Igreja de Santana and Poça da Dona Beija until you reach a crossroad where you should continue towards Pico do Milho. From the top of this elevation it is possible to profit the view over the valley of Furnas.
Proceed along the road until you arrive to Lagoa of Furnas and follow left, by the cobblestone road, going round the lake. Along this way you will cross the Chapel of Nossa Senhora das Vitórias, a gothic construction from the 19th century, the garden Mata Jardim José do Canto and by the house Casa dos Barcos (Rural Tourism). Further ahead you will find the Furnas Monitoring & Research Centre and the surrounding area with several leisure places, ruins of ancient ovens of coal production and the biggest classified norfolk island pine (Araucaria heterophylla) in Europe.
Follow the road along the lake bank, through a very accessible flat dirt road where it is possible to see several wooden sculptures. Pass the crossing with the trail PRC 22 SMI – Grená/Pico do Ferro and continue until the area of Caldeiras. This place, due to the geothermal activity, provides one of the tourism advertisings of the island and where is done the famous traditional Cozido à Portuguesa, using the internal heat of the Furnas volcano.
After enjoying this scenery, continue passing by the crossroad to the viewpoint of Pico do Ferro (PRC 22 SMI – Grená/Pico do Ferro) and by the area of the ticket booth until reaching the regional road, where you should follow left. Proceed, carefully, along the road until you arrive the village center, place where the trail ends.
Lomba D’El Rei
Category - Circular
Difficulty - Medium
Extension - 4.4 km
Time average - 2h00
This walk begins near the church N. Sra. Do Rosário, situated in the middle of the village. Go round the left side and, about 300m, turn left by a land road, than turn right and go up the Hill of Moio de Baixo.
During this stretch the predominant vegetation is Canas (Arundo Donax) but it is also possible to find some other species of natural vegetation from the Azores as the Beechwood (Morella Faya) and Heather (Erica Azorica). Reaching one of the highest points of this walk, it’s possible to see, west the village of Fenais da Ajuda and east the village of Achadinha.
Follow this stretch, passing by cultivated lands, until you find a detour at your left side that goes down as far as the river mouth of the stream of Ribeira do Lenho. This part of the walk is done among vegetation as Incense (Pittospurum Undulatum) and Fern (Athyrium Filix Femina), next to the river mouth.
Cross the stream and continue on a pavement road, with the stream on your right side. After a slight climbing the walk continues right, place where you find the Ribeira do Lenho and Ribeira dos Caldeirões, where you can profit the ruins of watermill and stay near the base of one of the highest bridges of the Nordeste freeway.
From here, the walk proceeds among a wood of Japanese cedars (Crytomeria Japonica) until you reach the top of the hill Lomba D’El Rei in each you should come across a pavement road that will go over the Nordeste freeway.
After passing the speedway, turn left on a shortcut that will take you to the old Fonte Velha and to the Water Tanks where, before, served the local inhabitants. Continue the walk on a land road that ends on the garden Eira Velha , now Rua Formosa, that goes down as far as the church, where this walk began.
Mata do Canário
Category - Linear
Difficulty - Medium
Extension - 11.8 km
Time average - 3h00
This trail begins near Mata do Canário, East part of the Sete Cidades ridges, and ends at the village.
Walk down the dirt road to your right until you reach the tarmac road. Turn left, continue along the aqueduct, known as Muro das Nove Janelas, rebuilt in 1830 in order to supply Ponta Delgada.
Proceed ahead by an ascending dirt road, with japanese cedars (Cryptomeria japonica) on the left side. Go up the hillside until you reach the first viewpoint to Sete Cidades lakes, Pico da Cruz.
Continue on the dirt road that not only accesses pastures, but also is one of the most fascinating stages of the Azores Rallye. Along the ridge it is possible to see the interior of the crater with its different lakes and volcanic formations, as well as all the north coast of the island.
Go round the Blue Lake, passing by detours to João Bom and Mosteiros, always following the main trail until reaching the fork with the trail PR 03 SMI - Vista do Rei/Sete Cidades.
Turn left, by the road of Arrebentões, heading Sete Cidades. This part of the trail is very slippery and inclined so we advise some caution going down, along the main road.
When in the village, profit to visit the requalification project of the lake banks and Casa do Parque. Finish the trail next to the church of São Nicolau at the village center.
Costa Norte
Trail Information
Category - Linear
Difficulty - Medium
Extension - 8.4 km
Time average - 4h00
This small linear route of 9 km connects the village of Bananeiras to Anjos, in a small walk along the North Coast of the island.
Leave Bananeiras towards Baía do Raposo. This trail, often used by people that go fishing to the bay, classified as Geosite, allows you to visit two watermills, the stream that feeds them and a mill belonging to the local vineyards, presently in ruins.
Moinhos da Ribeira Funda
Category - Circular
Difficulty - Medium
Extension - 3.3 km
Time average - 2h00
This circular route at Ribeira Funda (Fenais da Ajuda), begins near the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Aflição. Go down the tarred road until you reach a fork. Here, follow left by the pasture side until the entrance of a wood of Japanese Cedars (Cryptomeria japonica), Australian Cheesewood (Pittosporum undulatum), Fayatree (Morella faya), Cabaceira (Pericallis malvifolia), among others. It is also possible to observe several species of birds such as the Buzzard (Buteo buteo rothschildi), Common Blackbird (Turdus merula), European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) and Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea patriciae).
The track goes down until a place where it will go round the ruins of an ancient levada (water channel) and some watermills known as Moinhos do Crim. Explore this place near the stream and go up until the main road, on your left. The trail follows the stream on the right bank, passing by another ensemble of mills that you can visit, crossing a bridge to the left bank. Here, there is a detour that connects to the PR 27 SMI Praia da Viola.
Return to the right bank and follow the marks towards the stream mouth, passing by some waterfalls. From here, the trail starts its ascending stage along a staircase in “Rocha do Padre do Norte”. It is advisable some caution due to the altitude in regarding the sea. During the climb, profit to appreciate the view of the North Coast with Maia, Ponta do Cintrão and the volcanic massif of Sete Cidades to the West and the edge of Fenais da Ajuda on the opposite side.
At the top of the cliff, the trail proceeds on a dirt road that climbs towards the starting point.
Pico da Vara
Category - Circular
Difficulty - Hard
Extension - 7 km
Time average - 3h00
This trail goes along the protected area for the Management of Habitats and Species of Tronqueira e Planalto of Graminhais, the Nature Reserve of Pico da Vara and allows access to Pico da Vara, the highest point of the island, with 1103 meters high.
It begins near the Forest Guard House of the Reserve of Atalhada, village of Santo António Nordestinho. The hiker should follow the marks passing by the wood of Atalhada until arriving the viewpoint with a view over the villages of Santo António Nordestinho and Algarvia. At the fork, you should take the road on the left hand side, flanked by japanese cedars (Crytomeria japonica), heading Pico da Vara.
These roads were used in the past for accessing areas of coal production, cattle handling and commerce between the municipalities of Nordeste and Povoação. At the fork, choose going left, to reach the geodesic landmark of Pico da Vara, where it is possible to enjoy wide views over the crater of Povoação (to the south), Planalto dos Graminhais, the crater of Furnas Volcano and its lake (to the west) and the volcanic massifs of Fogo and Sete Cidades at the bottom.
On the way back you should go down the trail and turn to the right hand side towards the Forest Guard House. It is possible, in these higher areas, to observe examples of endemic vegetation such as Azores juniper (Juniperus brevifolia), Azorean holly (Ilex azorica), Azorean heather (Erica azorica) and peat bogs formed by Sphagnum sp., fundamental for the water catchment. As you go down, the natural flora gives place to public woods of japanese cedars, whose management is certified - FSC@ (License Code FSC@ C119744). The trail ends ahead, near the Guard House, where it is possible to visit the endemic garden.
Praia
Category - Circular
Difficulty - Medium
Extension - 11 km
Time average - 4h00
This linear roundtrip until the banks of Lagoa do Fogo begin in a dirt road that accesses farming lands and pastures. During the climb you will pass by the ruins of an ancient factory where fibers were produced from a plant introduced, the New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax).
Continue climbing until you reach a fork, follow right by a wood of Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), until you arrive to a Levada (an irrigation channel), on which the trail proceeds. It is advisable to wear proper shoes due to the presence of muddy areas on the extension of the Levada.
At this stage it is possible to observe several endemic flora such as Azorean Blueberry (Vaccinium cylindraceum), Azorean Heather (Erica azorica), and Laurustinus (Viburnum treleasei) among others.
Passing by the dam you will enter in the valley of Ribeira da Praia, an open area, with big slopes on both sides, with several points of water abstraction. This construction, initiated in 1984, intended to abstract the major part of the water springs from the filtering of Lagoa do Fogo and was concluded in 1998.
Reaching the lake bank, caution is advised due to the presence of a colony of seagulls, especially territorial during the nesting season (April-May).
The return is made on the opposite sense, taking advantage of the magnificent view over the South Coast of the island with the Islet of Vila Franca.
Quatro Caminhos do Faial da Terra
Category - Circular
Difficulty - Medium
Extension - 7.5 km
Time average - 3h00
This circular route through the village of Faial da Terra develops partially in the geosite of Caldeira of Povoação. Begin the walk at the center of the village and follow the marks by a road accessing agricultural fields. Along it you will cross several times the regional road, passing by the old whale watching tower, place used by the ancients to watch and locate the different cetaceans species.
Continue in an ascending sense passing by the regional road and by a dirt road, flanked by the traditional hedges done with Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens). Ahead you will find an intersection of two trails (PR 18 SMI – Vigia das Baleias and PRC 40 SMI – Quatro Caminhos do Faial da Terra), where you should choose to go straight and make a detour on the left hand side until Pico dos Bodes. In 2007, suffering urban and landscape requalification works, this space offers a panoramic view from Faial da Terra to the town of Vila Franca do Campo. Return the same way until the road and follow, left hand side, now is a descending sense towards Faial da Terra.
This part of the trail develops around a wood overtaken with Australian Cheesewood (Pittosporum undulatum), Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) and pastures. At this stage, it is possible to profit from a view over Faial da Terra and Fajã do Calhau. At the final part of the trail, you can choose to make a detour until the village of Aldeia do Sanguinho, place in rebuilding, where you can find typical houses, small agricultural farms and several exemplars of Buckthorn (Frangula azorica), an Azorean endemic specie that gives its name to this place.
Go down the road, winding in cobblestone, carefully due to slippery ground and inclination degree until you reach the stream and afterwards the road until the main board, place where the trail ends. There is here, the possibility to connect to other points of the island through PRC 40 SMI – Quatro Caminhos do Faial da Terra, PRC 09 SMI – Sanguinho and PR11 SMI – Ribeira do Faial da Terra.
Ribeira do Faial da Terra
Category - Linear
Difficulty - Medium
Extension - 5.9 km
Time average - 2h00
This linear route along the stream of Faial da Terra until the village, begins in the regional road, between Povoação and Água Retorta, near a picnic area, before the Recreational Forest Reserve of Água Retorta.
Along the trail, caution is advisable on the crossing of the wooden bridges due to the slippery ground.
Begin the trail on a dirt road, among the dense vegetation, parallel to the stream. This track passes by a clearing where there is an old, abandoned watermill and accessing the stream. Explore the location and continue among the Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria Japonica) and Australian Cheesewood (Pittosporum undulatum) wood, crossing several wooden bridges over the small creeks that feed the main stream.
Make a detour on your left towards Salto do Cagarrão, an impressive waterfall and return to the main road heading South. Reaching the intersection, connecting place with PRC 09 SMI – Faial da Terra/Salto do Prego, choose left towards Salto do Prego. At this point it is possible to explore the waterfall base as well as climbing until the upper part of the stream.
Return by the same way, passing by the previous intersection and at the fork, go left along the stream (here you can choose to go right and do the road passing by Aldeia do Sanguinho). The trail goes down until a bridge over the stream, point where the vegetation gives place to orchards belonging to small family farms. We ask the hikers not to pick fruits and vegetables along the track.
Arriving the main road, continue parallel to the stream until the center of the village, known as the “Nativity Scene of the Island”.
Rocha da Relva
Category - Circular
Difficulty - Medium
Extension - 5.5 km
Time average - 3h00
This roundtrip linear route until Rocha da Relva allows the hiker to visit one of the few detrital fajãs (cliffs) of São Miguel. Go down along a paved road until the first detour on the left, towards Rocha do Cascalho.
This descend until the sea (approximately 600m) passes some wine cellars, houses but mainly vineyards restricted to the traditional way in basalt rock. This structures, besides protecting from the sea spray, provides a milder environment for the crops giving them a distinctive taste. Once you reach the sea level, profit to relax in a resting area and, if time allows, it is also possible to dive into the Atlantic waters.
Go up until the original detour and choose left towards Rocha da Relva. Along the descend you will pass several summer houses, vineyard and orchard farms, as well as some house and pack animals, being the donkey the most characteristic. Very useful for the inhabitants of the Rocha, these animals are a mean of transportation for materials and basic goods, until their destination. This place is well appreciated for farming and leisure due to its micro climate that benefits the development of the vineyards and other crops. It is requested to the hikers to not pick fruits or other products during the walk.
Along the trail you will find fountains, a resting area and a shrine in honor of Nossa Senhora dos Anjos. Reaching the end of the walk, near the last houses, you have to return the same way, until the starting point.
Rota da Água - Janela do Inferno
Category - Circular
Difficulty - Easy
Extension - 7.6 km
Time average - 2h30
Before starting the trail, make sure you are suitable equipped. Begin the walk near the Casa da Água - Trail Point, an old milk post transformed into a support facility for hikers, to promote the municipality of Lagoa and environmental awareness.
Go down the road, passing by the picnic area and follow, on your left-hand side, the secondary road to Água de Pau. Follow the marks until you find an ascending dirt road on your left. Along the climbing, gaze the municipalities of Lagoa and Ponta Delgada that were left behind. Cross a water line until you reach the first tunnel. After the tunnel you will pass a supporting house for the water harvesting.
Walk along the ribeira Seca stream riverside passing by the intersection with PR 42 SMI – Rota da Água, entre Túneis e Condutas connecting to Água de Pau. Further ahead you will reach a point of interest – Janela do Inferno – a vertical wall, rich in water springs and where it is possible to see a cavity, made by the water erosion. In its base there is a natural pond where it is possible to observe Newts (Triturus cristatus) in different stages of their life cycle (aquatic larva, juvenile/eft and adult). Take a chance to appreciate the beauty of this place and to regain energy.
From here, the trail turns back, by the other creek bank, crossing a series of majestic aqueducts that used to supply the ancient Alcohol Factory of Lagoa and nowadays supplies water for the municipality. At the end of the wooded area you will find a last tunnel that used to work as an aqueduct, with a 50 m length.
Here, the trail returns to a dirt road accessing farming fields. After crossing the regional road, with caution, continue ahead until you find a lookout point with a view to the municipality of Ponta Delgada. Continue the track through the interior of the village of Remédios until Casa da Água – Trail Point where the trail ends. Profit to visit the Chapel of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, located on high ground with beautiful views over the South coast of the island.
Rota da Água, entre Túneis e Condutas
Category - Linear
Difficulty - Medium
Extension - 15 km
Time average - 5h00
This linear route connects the place of Remédios to the village of Água do Pau, through ancient roads used by the watermen, taking the water to the parish of Lagoa. The trail crosses several resources connected to this line of activity such as old bridges, aqueducts, clay pipelines, levadas (watercourses) and some tunnels. To cross the tunnels, it is advisable the use of lanterns and before starting the trail be sure you are suitably equipped. Along the trail, it is necessary to pay special attention for the presence of animals that should not be disturbed. This trail shares legs with other trails therefore pay attention to the signaling marks.
Begin the walk near Casa da Água – Trail Point, an old milk post transformed into an Help Center for trekkers, to promote the municipality of Lagoa and environmental awareness. Go to Remédios passing by the Chapel of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, situated on a high point with a view towards the South coast of the island. Continue until you enter a dirt road accessing pastures. At this point of the trail you will cross several tunnels until you reach Janela do Inferno, a vertical wall, rich in springs and where it is possible to see Newts (Triturus cristatus) in different stages of their life cycle (adult, juvenile/eft and aquatic larva).
Continue the trail until the point where the trails go apart (PRC 37 SMI – Rota da Água, Janela do Inferno that continues towards Remédios) and follow heading Água de Pau. The trail will pass by a viewpoint, at Pico do Raposo, several ancient bridges and a fountain. Ahead there is a municipal shortcut, on your right hand side, that connects to the village of Água de Pau. Continue through the South slope of Fogo that, due to the abundance of water, lead to the setting of several plants of potable water collection, allowing the economic development of Lagoa.
The trail enters a descending stage passing by a crossroad with PR 41 SMI – Rota da Água, Pedras Brancas, where you should follow right towards Água de Pau. If you choose to go left, you will go to Ribeira Chã. Ahead you will cross a vertical wall known locally as Pedras Brancas (white stones) where it is usual the practice of climbing and rappel. Continue until you reach the center of the village of Água de Pau, place where the trail ends.
Rota da Água, Pedras Brancas
Category - Linear
Difficulty - Medium
Extension - 5.2 km
Time average - 2h00
This linear route connects the village of Ribeira Chã to Água de Pau. Begin the trail at the center of the locality, known for its museums, mainly the Sacred Art and Ethnographic, the Ethnographic Yard and Azorean Endemism as well as the Rural House of Maria dos Anjos Melo, where we can see all the history, culture and heritage of this place. Rich for its gastronomy, Ribeira Chã is known for its Italian Arum cereal flour porridge, a typical sweet of the village, done with the rhizome of the plant known on the island as Italian Arum (Arum italicum).
Go up the road that crosses the locality, passing above the fast track and ahead, following left by a dirt road that access pastures and agricultural fields. Continue along the road until you find the crossroad with PR 42 SMI – Rota da Água, entre Túneis e Condutas, where you should follow on your left. At this point, if you choose to go right, you will be heading towards the place of Remédios. From this point, the path continues among a wood formed mainly by Australian cheesewood (Pittosporum undulatum), Japanese cedar (Crytomeria japonica) and some Tree ferns (Cyathea cooperi).
At this descending stage of the trail, you will pass by a trachyte vertical wall known locally as Pedras Brancas (White Stones), where it is usual the practice of climbing and rappel. The path continues inside the wood until it reaches a tarmac road, where you should proceed very carefully, turning left on a dirt road accessing pastures and agricultural fields. Arriving to the base of the fast track, choose to go to your left hand side and follow the marks until the interior of the village of Água de Pau, place where the trail ends. It is possible to visit the Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Monte Santo (built in 1931), where the Blessed Virgin made an apparition to a local girl.
If weather allows it, visit the geosite of Fajã lávica (lava stone) and the fossil cliff of Caloura, where it is possible to have a bath at Ponta da Galera, the southernmost point of the island or in the beautiful fishing harbor of Caloura.
Sanguinho
Category - Circular
Difficulty - Medium
Extension - 4.5 km
Time average - 2h00
This small circular route in Faial da Terra begins near the bus stop. Go up the asphalted road until the fork where you should continue straight by a dirt road, always along the left bank of the stream. Along the trail, the vegetation is thicker, with the Australian Cheesewood (Pittosporum undulatum) and the Australian Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon) as predominant species.
Along the trail there are several orchards on both banks of the creek, belonging to small family farms. We ask the hikers not to pick fruits along this track.
Reaching a bridge over the stream, cross it to the other side and go up until the fork, where you should go right to Salto do Prego. Follow the marks until you arrive to the waterfall of Salto do Prego, passing by a road on the left that connects to PR 11 SMI Ribeira do Faial da Terra.
At this point it is possible to explore the base of the waterfall as well as climbing by a trail until the higher part of the stream. Return by the same way, follow right on the second fork, heading Aldeia do Sanguinho. In this old village, being restored, you will find typical houses, small farms and several samples of Buckthorn (Frangula azorica), endemic specie of the Azores that gives name to this place.
Walk down the winding road in paving stone, very carefully due to its slippery ground and angle of inclination, until you reach the first fork of the trail, near the stream. Descend the main road until the initial panel, ending the trail.
Serra Devassa
Category - Circular
Difficulty - Medium
Extension - 4.9 km
Time average - 2h00
Integrated in a Protected Area, this small circular route in Serra Devassa allows you to walk along volcanic cones and small lakes.
This trail unfolds between an altitude of 750 to 900 meters, being advisable to walk in days of good visibility.
Begin the walk in the parking place opposite the Forest Park of Mata do Canário. Go up the hill, around a swampy area and following right on the fork. All along the hill it is possible to see afar Pau Pique lake and the ruins of the aqueduct of Muro das Nove Janelas (connection place to the center of the village through the trail PR 04 SMI – Mata do Canário/Sete Cidades) that used to supply Ponta Delgada.
Continue until the highest point, Pico das Éguas, with 873 metres, from where it is possible to see the Éguas lake on your left and Rasa ahead. From here the trail goes down until the lake shore, situated in a depression between several volcanic cones, passing by a cave and the water house.
Go round the lake on your right and follow the detour on your right, crossing a wood of japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) until reaching Empadadas lagoons. Along the way it is possible to see and listen to some birds such as common blackbird (Turdus merula azorensis), the common chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs moreletti) or the buzzard (Buteo buteo rothschildi).
After the detour, return to the main road following right, going around Pico das Éguas, until the starting point.
Vigia da Baleia
Category - Linear
Difficulty - Medium
Extension - 7 km
Time average - 3h00
This linear route connects the town of Povoação to the village of Faial da Terra, a connection between the geosites of Caldeira of Povoação and the stream valley of Faial da Terra and Fajã do Calhau. Begin the walk by the road accessing Lomba dos Pós and follow the marks until you find a dirt road, on the right hand side that formerly connected the two villages. Along the way, it is still possible to do sidewalks done in the past by the local population. This shortcut crosses areas of wood overtaken by Australian Cheesewood (pittosporum undulatum) and Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica).
Arriving to the road, choose the detour on the left hand side, towards Pico dos Bodes, place where there is an intersection between two walks (PR 18 SMI – Vigia da Baleia and PRC 40 SMI – Quatro caminhos do Faial da Terra). In 2007, suffering urban and landscape requalification works, this space offers a panoramic view from Faial da Terra to the town of Vila Franca do Campo. Return by the same way until the road and descend to Faial da Terra, initially by the asphalt and later on by a dirt road accessing pastures and agricultural fields. Here it is very common to see the traditional hedges done with Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens).
This shortcut ends at the regional road, where you should continue to walk until you find a dirt road that goes to an old whale watching tower, place used by the ancients to watch and locate the different cetaceans species. From here, the trail continues in a descendent sense until the center of Faial da Terra, with a view over Fajã do Calhau. Arriving to Faial da Terra, there is a possibility to connect to other points of the island through PRC 40 SMI – Quatro Caminhos do Faial da Terra, PRC 09 SMI – Sanguinho and PR11 SMI – Ribeira do Faial da Terra.
Vista do Rei - Sete Cidades
Category - Linear
Difficulty - Easy
Extension - 7.7 km
Time average - 2h00
This trail starts at Vista do Rei viewpoint, goes through the southwest slope of the Sete Cidades ridges and ends inside the village. Throughout the walk it is possible to contemplate the interior of the crater with its different lakes and volcanic formations.
Arriving to the tarmac road there is a possibility to make a small detour, to the left and visit the viewpoint of Lomba do Vasco with a view over the west coast, focusing on the village of Mosteiros and its small islets.
The trail continues right, on the regional road, descending towards the village of Sete Cidades. Follow the marks, turn left and continue on a dirt road.
Arriving to the road junction with the trail PR 04 SMI - Mata do Canário/Sete Cidades, turn right, to the road of Arrebentões, direction Sete Cidades. This part of the trail it is quite inclined and slippery and therefore you should proceed carefully, along the main road.
When in the village, profit to visit the requalification project of the lake banks and Casa do Parque. Finish the trail next to the church of São Nicolau