Rota da Água - Janela do Inferno - São Miguel PRC37 SMI

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.