Das Vinhas ao Mar - Graciosa PR04 GRA

This small linear route, located in the parish of Santa Cruz da Graciosa, connects the wine-growing landscape of Bom Jesus and Achada to the bathing area of ​​Barro Vermelho, partially crossing the Protected Area for the Management of Habitats or Species of Ponta da Barca.

Start the trail next to the old Bom Jesus primary school and a 19th century fountain. Follow the “Caminho do Barroso” road, flanked by typical rural houses and, 200m further on, turn left onto the dirt road. Once you reach the fork, turn right and follow the section of the route that crosses the wine-growing landscape of Bom Jesus and Achada, marked by the numerous basalt stone corrals that protect the vineyards, as well as the ruins of old wineries, which testify the past importance of this area.

Back at the Achada mill, a typical structure on this island, go right and pass the water reservoir, until you reach the “Caminho do Barroso” again. Go straight ahead for 30 meters and turn right on the narrow path that will lead you through a second area of ​​vineyard corrals. When you reach the asphalt, follow the signs that will guide you to Baía do Forno and, later on, to Ponta da Barca Lighthouse, which features a 23-meter tower, the tallest in the Azores. At this point, it is possible to observe the Ilhéu da Baleia, a geosite that corresponds to the chimney of an ancient volcanic cone, dismantled by marine erosion.

Then, continue along the coast, where you will see several bays and coves, which are the natural habitat of several seabirds, such as the Monteiro's storm petrel (Hydrobates monteiroi), the Cory's Shearwater (Calonectris borealis), the Audubon’s shearwater (Puffinus lherminieri baroli) and the common tern (Sterna hirundo).

After visiting the natural viewpoint over the emblematic grid of quadrangular vineyard corrals that surround the airport runway, continue along the irregular basaltic terrain until you find a detour to the road, which will lead you to the Barro Vermelho bathing area, where this route ends.