São Miguel

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.

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).

This circular route northwest of the island, in João Bom (Pilar da Bretanha), begins at the Regional Road, on a resting place. Go down along the road and follow the marks on your left, passing by a minimarket. Further ahead you will find a little Chapel on your left side and finally the street Rua da Relvinha on your right, where you should follow. At this stage of the trail, you will walk towards the coast on a dirt road that accesses agricultural fields and herding.

ALERT: Due to ongoing forestry, tree cutting and heavy machinery maneuvers are taking place. Therefore, we recommend paying extra attention to traffic on the first segment of the route. 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.

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.