TERCEIRA
The Purple Island
At its centre, there is the Guilherme Moniz Caldera, flooded by lavas with two thousand years old of the Algar do Carvão scoria cone, where it is the biggest spot of heather in the Azores. The same scenario unfolds to the north, at the Biscoito da Ferraria and Pico Alto, and to the west, at Serra de Santa Bárbara, where dense thickets of endemic vegetation remember the native forest of the archipelago, commonly known as laurissilva forest. In this way, Terceira represents the largest area of native forest in the archipelago.
The dominant green of the interior of the island fades on its periphery, where the secular human occupation and the colourful houses of locations dictate the rules. Also, it is where predominate the purple color in some of the façades of the buildings, especially of Angra do Heroísmo.
Interactive Trail Map
Passagem das Bestas
Category - Circular
Difficulty - Medium
Extension - 4 km
Time average - 2h30
This small circular route is totally established at the geosite and protected area for resources management of Caldeira de Guilherme Moniz, known for its macaronesia woods and peatlands that assure the recharge of the aquifers in this volcanic complex, with around 23 thousand years.
Begin the trail at the parking place, near the road, and follow along an old lava field, rocky and irregular, until the fork, where you should turn left. At this part of the trail it is possible to see, printed on the floor, the old oxcart tracks known as Passagem das Bestas, carved on the rock by the rolling of thousand oxcarts that for centuries, would come to the crater to pick wood.
Go down, following the old oxcart tracks, and follow the course of a stream until you arrive to a tube that supply the mini-hydric power plants of Angra. Then the trail follows a wood of Japanese Cedars (Criptomeria japonica) passing by a viewpoint.
Cross the pasture, where it is possible to see on your left, the biggest crater of the Azores, between the hill of Ribeirinha and Serra do Cume, the collapsed crater of Vulcão dos Cinco Picos with an average diameter of 7 kilometers.
Afterwards the trail follow a forest line until it reaches its highest point, in the hill of Morião. The trail, in a descendant sense, develops in a forest, rich in endemic species such as Azorean Heather (Erica azorica) and Azores Juniper (Juniperus brevifolia).
Pass by a viewpoint with view to Terra Brava and ahead, another one with a view to the interior of Caldeira do Guilherme Moniz. Go down the ravine that was used to access this crater and proceed until you arrive again to the old oxcart tracks.
Reaching the initial fork, turn left to the parking place, where the trails finishes.
Algar do Carvão - Furnas do Enxofre
Category - Circular
Difficulty - Medium
Extension - 6.6 km
Time average - 2h30
This short circular route takes place in a public sector of a Protected Area for the Management of Habitats or Species of the Central Plateau and Northwest Coast, where several environmental and landscape recovery actions are occurring. It connects two Natural Monuments – Algar do Carvão and Furnas do Enxofre.
Start the route at the car park in Algar do Carvão, follow the tarmac road and turn right on the lapilli path. Take the shortcut on the left leading to the longstanding forest exploration paths, alongside the hills covered with native forest. Climb up to the currently deactivated geothermal borehole and proceed along the unpaved path, crossing the plateau over a patch of Laurissilva forest, which includes panoramic views to Pico da Salsa, Pico Tamujo and the bogs of Sanguinhal.
After spotting the Geothermal Power Station of Pico Vermelho, turn south heading through patches of autochthonous flora and meadows. Once in the tarmac road, take an optional detour to the left (600m) and visit the Furnas do Enxofre fumarole field. Return to the previous location before taking the detour and follow the visible footpath in the centre of the meadow. Climb up to the hill top, where it is possible to appreciate the panoramic views to Pico do Alpanaque and Caldeira do Guilherme Moniz. On days with good visibility, it is possible to spot the volcanic Serra de Santa Bárbara massif and the islands of São Jorge and Pico on the horizon as well.
Walk down through the native vegetation, skirting Pico do Sanguinhal and turn left after reaching the road, leading straight to the car park of Algar do Carvão. The wooden structures of this trail were made using local wood, gathered from the removal services of exotic trees (eucalyptus) on behalf of the environmental and landscape restoration of this area.
Fortes de São Sebastião
Category - Linear
Difficulty - Easy
Extension - 5.7 km
Time average - 2h30
Located in the volcanic massif of Cinco Picos, this small route travels along the Southeast coast of the island, passing by remains of ancient maritime defensive forts (16th - 17th century) and ending in the village of São Sebastião.
Begin the trail on the main road towards Ponta das Contendas. Go around on your right with a view over the lighthouse of Contendas and the islet - Ilhéu das Cabras - at the bottom. Go down the path to the Forte da Greta and Santa Catarina das Mós (both from 1581) and enjoy the view over the bay (Baía da Mina), ideal place for surfing.
Back again at the main road, follow right, cross the greenhouses and near the Pico dos Cernos turn right, going around the trees. Choose the detour on your right that goes down until Forte do Bom Jesus, built in 1644, with a view over Baía da Mina. Return by the same way and, on the fork, go right to a small wood where the endemic Azorean Heather (Erica azorica) is predominant.
At the geodesic landmark, profit to see the route already done and the one still remaining. Go down into a pasture with a cliff on the right and Willow trees (Tamarix gallica) on the left. Look back and enjoy the view over the islets of Mina.
Ahead, the Willow trees give place to Giant reed (Arundo donax) and the trail goes into a dirt road, accessing agricultural fields and pastures. Follow the marks until the detour to a viewpoint, where it is possible to see São Sebastião shoreline.
Turn to the main road and continue, on your right, near the sea until Forte do Pesqueiro dos Meninos, from 1581, with a beautiful view over the shoreline. From here the trail goes up to the village of São Sebastião passing by and ancient rebuilt watermill. Go up the place of Arrabalde where, in the past, the stream of Frei João used to run.
Once inside the village, pass by the chapel of Nossa Senhora da Graça. Further ahead you will cross Largo da Fonte, followed by the chapel of Sant’Ana. After the church you will see the main square, place where the trail ends.
Malha Grande - Biscoitos
Category - Linear
Difficulty - Medium
Extension - 14.2 km
Time average - 3h30
This small linear route connects Rocha do Chambre, located in the inner part of the island, to the popular swimming area of Biscoitos, during 14,2 km.
Start the hike on the dirt track and turn right on the first fork you encounter, through a path flanked by endemic vegetation (Erica Azorica). Follow this path until you find a tentadero and turn left, heading up the farming road along the pastures. Keep going up until you reach the Rocha do Chambre viewpoint, where you are able to see the caldera of the Pico Alto volcano. Up ahead, the geodesic landmark indicates the highest point of this trail (708 m), where you can contemplate the Protected Area of Biscoito da Ferraria and Pico Alto, rich in endemic vegetation species that fill the caldera.
Head down towards the valley (Vale do Azinhal), then follow the forest trail by the pastures that skirts the Gruta dos Balcões. This lava tube is the result of the last terrestrial eruption on the island, dating to 1761 and which had its origin in Pico Vermelho, Pico do Fogo and Pico das Caldeirinhas.
Keep heading down the secondary forest paths, between the pastures revealing considerable rocky outcrops, which result from the aforementioned lava eruption, as you enjoy the view to the northern coastline. Keep going until you find a shortcut that leads to a wood of incense (Pittosporum undulatum). From this point onwards, the hike will alternate between wood areas, lapilli roads and old orchards until you reach the street (Rua Longa).
Turn right, carefully cross the regional road and head down towards the small bay (Baía das Pombas), where you find the first swimming place of this area. Here you are also able to see the military trenches used in World War II, one of many existing structures built to strengthen the coastal defense system, such as the forts. Continue along the street (Avenida do Mar), alongside the Protected Landscape Area of Vinhas dos Biscoitos, where you can observe several volcanic stone (basalt) patch areas used for wine production.
The hike ends at the popular natural swimming pools of Biscoitos.
Entre a Serra e o Mar
Trail Information
Category - Circular
Difficulty - Medium
Extension - 9.8 km
Time average - 2h30
This circular route begins near the church of Santa Bárbara parish, northeast part of the island.
Go west, along the road that fives place to an alley accessing pastures. Go up until the place of Covão da Mula from where you can see the center of Santa Bárbara and also the place where the population used to extract clay for domestic use.
Mistérios Negros
Category - Circular
Difficulty - Hard
Extension - 4.9 km
Time average - 2h30m
The trail of Mistérios Negros thrives in the Natural Reserve of Serra de Santa Bárbara and Mistérios Negros of Natural Park of Terceira, also included in the Special Area of Preservation of Serra de Santa Bábara and Pico Alto of Natura 2000 and in the geosite Caldeira de Santa Bárbara and Mistérios Negros.
This circular route begins near Lagoa do Negro and the supporting house of Gruta do Natal. Begin the trail in a road flanked by Common Heather (Calluna vulgaris) and Japanese Cedar (Crytomeria japonica). The road continues until you enter a pasture, where you should proceed ahead passing by a water tank until the road narrows down among the endemic vegetation formed by Azorean Heather (Erica azorica), Azores Juniper (Juniperus brevifolia), Azorean Blueberry (Vaccinium cylindraceum) and the native Cape Myrtle (Myrsine retusa).
Proceed, passing by three small lakes known as Lagoinhas do Vale Fundo. From the three, only one keeps water all year around, an important place to some migratory birds that come to this place. Continue the trail defined by its trachytic domes of black color and lack of vegetation, result of the volcanic eruption, in 1761.
Further ahead, on the highest point of the trail, it is possible to observe around Pico Gordo, the central massif of the island and Pico do Gaspar. Go down along a wood of Japanese Cedar that alternates with bordered pastures with these large size trees. Pass by the geodetic pillar of Pico da Cancela until you reach the road where you should follow left.
In this track you will find a detour on the right, optional, until Pico Gaspar, a place very rich in endemic vegetation. The trail continues on the forest road until the starting point, place where the trail ends and you can profit to visit Gruta do Natal, a lava tunnel with 697 meters.
Monte Brasil
Category - Circular
Difficulty - Medium
Extension - 7.4 km
Time average - 2h30
This circular route thrives in Monte Brasil, a geosite formed by an ancient extinct volcano with origin in the sea and that later joined the city of Angra do Heroísmo, classified as World Heritage by UNESCO.
In Monte Brasil, we can find the Fortress of São João Baptista, built in the late 16th century, one of largest fortresses built by the Spanish Empire across the world.
Begin the trail near park of Relvão, going up towards the fortress and turning left after the arcade. Pass by the chapel of Santo António, built in 1615 and continue profiting the views over the Southeast part of the island, bay and city of Angra do Heroísmo.
The trail continues through the shortcut on the right that goes up to a picnic area, passing by Pico do Facho, place where there is a Signal Station. From here, the trail goes round the caldera, where the vegetation is mainly formed by endemic Azorean Heather (Erica azorica), passing by the ruins of the fort Forte da Quebrada, integrated in the defensive ensemble of São João Baptista Fortress.
Return to the main road, where the vegetation begins to give place to Australian Cheesewood (Pittosporum undulatum) and make a detour to your left, to a whale lookout and to an old station of World War II. Return by the same detour and proceed towards Pico das Cruzinhas, integrated in the Forest Reserve and Recreation Park of Monte Brasil, it is a privileged place to see the city of Angra do Heroísmo but also some birds and other animal nurseries, an old anti-aircraft warfare from World War II and the monument to the V Centenary Terceira island Settlement (1432-1932).
From here go down, passing by the Fortress until the park of Relvão, place where the trail ends
Relheiras de São Brás
Category - Circular
Difficulty - Easy
Extension - 5 km
Time average - 2h
This trail starts next to the picnic area of the village of São Brás.
Leave the car park where the information panel is located, keep to the right of the asphalt road for 200m until you reach a place where there is a monument honouring old oxcarts.
Turn left onto a dirt trail, where further ahead, you will find the Relheiras, the marks carved in stone by ancient oxcarts. You can spot two types: narrow and V-shaped; broad and flat.
After passing the Fonte do Cão [hole in the ground where dogs used to drink water], you will reach a square where you should turn left onto a narrow trail. A little further ahead, this shortcut becomes wider and there are greater numbers of Azores heathers (Erica azorica) and Japanese cedars (Cryptomeria japonica).
Upon arriving at an iron gate, turn left and continue along a road whose surface alternates between dirt and asphalt for 2 km until you reach the beginning of the route. Note that on the last part of the route, you can often spot the common buzzard (Buteo buteo rothschildi), an endemic bird of the Azores.
Rocha do Chambre
Category - Circular
Difficulty - Medium
Extension - 8.8 km
Time average - 2h30
This small circular route takes place in the interior of Terceira island along 8,8 km. This trail reaches an altitude of 700 meters, being advisable to do it in days of good weather and visibility. Along the walk, whenever necessary crossing a gate, leave it closed.
The trail begins on a dirt road that will give place to a Macadam country road. Along this short path you can gaze different species of endemic flora such as Azorean Heather (Erica azorica), Azores Laurel (Laurus azorica), Azores Juniper (Juniperus brevifolia). Here the trail enters a Japanese Cedar wood (Cryptomeria japonica) and proceeds alongside a waterstream until it reaches an agricultural field.
Pass through a gate, follow the dirt road until reaching another wood with a viewpoint over Vale do Azinhal. Here there are several places with different sights of the valley. The forest area ends on a clearing, where it is possible to contemplate the Pico Alto crater.
Continue left along the cliff, until reaching the highest point (704 m) of Rocha do Chambre – Juncal. This area, rich in endemic vegetation, it is also known for its trachytic domes, belonging to the Natural Reserve of Biscoito da Ferraria and Pico Alto.
Follow along the cliff, cross a bridge and stop by the viewpoint over Rocha do Chambre. The path goes downward, side agricultural fields, where it is possible to see several volcanic formations.
At the end of the decline, follow the dirt road, pass through a gate and continue the trail flanked by a stone wall and Azorean Heather. Reaching the fork, turn left towards the beginning/end of the trail.
Serreta
Category - Circular
Difficulty - Medium
Extension - 6.8 km
Time average - 2h30
The small circular route of Serreta thrives in the Natural Park of Terceira, in the area of the Natural Reserve of Serra de Santa Bárbara and Mistérios Negros and in the Protected Area for the Habitats management or Species of the Central Plateau and Northwest Coast.
Begin the trail near the crossroad of Canada da Fonte, by an ascending dirt road. Following the marks, you will go in a narrow road where you can observe species of endemic vegetation such as Azorean Heather (Erica azorica), Azores Juniper (Juniperus brevifolia), Laurustinus (Viburnum treleasei), Azorean Angelica (Angelica lignescens), Azorean St. John’s Wort (Hypericum foliosum), among others.
Arriving to the dirt road, follow until the end, proceed by a land road to another dirt road flanked by endemic species such as Azores Laurel (Laurus azorica), Azores Juniper and Azorean Holly (Ilex perado).
Follow the marks until Lagoinha, a small lagoon in the flank of the volcano of Serra de Santa Bárbara, surrounded by a wood of Cedars, typical from the Azorean Laurel Forest.
Return by the same way until the road, following left and later to the right, into a pasture until you arrive to Ribeira do Além. This watercourse passes by big lava disposed and domes of Biscoito da Fajã, inserted in a deep valley, with its slopes filled with natural vegetation. Walk along the creek passing by the viewpoint below Pico do Negrão.
Arriving to a pasture, you should go around left, follow until a road flanked by Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) that will take you to the initial panel, place where the trail began.