Padrão das Alminhas - Salto da Farinha - São Miguel PR21 SMI

This trail connects the Achadinha and Salga parishes, crossing landscapes of natural and cultural-historical beauty.

The journey begins at the Achadinha Garden, where a commemorative obelisk marks the landing of the Liberal Troops in 1831, an event that shapes the history of the political-military conflict between liberals and absolutists, leading to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in Portugal. At the same location, there is the Padrão das Alminhas, a monument linked to the Cult of Souls, a religious tradition established in the parish since the 17th century. Right after starting the trail, you will find Casa João Melo, dedicated to the life and work of the Azorean writer and the preservation of local culture.

Heading toward the area of Risco, the trail follows a “levada” that supplied an old watermill and passes through an area marked by several waterfalls. During the hillside ascent, you can take a detour to Poço Azul, a place of singular beauty and one of the landmarks of Achadinha. At the next fork, there are two options: follow the left path to return to Achadinha Garden or take the right path toward the valley of Salto da Farinha Geosite, a place with a great geological and landscape interest in Salga.

Upon reaching the Fojo picnic park, a small detour to the beginning of Salto da Farinha waterfall is recommended- —an impressive 40-meter waterfall where a small lake is formed. The name of the waterfall dates back to the time when cereals were ground there.

Back on the main route, the route continues to the Salto da Farinha viewpoint, the trail's endpoint, from where you can see a river valley with slope deposits and a pebble beach, occasionally covered with sand. The waterfall marks the end of Ribeira das Coelhas, which flows into the sea over the steep cliffs of the northern coast. This zone includes geological formations from the Povoação Volcano, the oldest polygenic volcano on São Miguel, now extinct.