The Azores are the hiker’s paradise. From the easy stroll along the coast to the steep climb of Pico, there is something for every taste. We enjoyed discovering the beautiful landscapes along the way.
Lava arches
Just a few steps away from the village of Velas are impressive lava formations.
The anchorage is located next to the harbor and a steep cliff. It is the home of birds that make squeeking sounds at nightfall. A surprising concert.
Pastures with a view
With agricultre and dairy products beeing the main economic sector, no wonder we saw so many pastures along this trail. They are located on flat highlands.
The first portion of the trail was along the coast. The strategically placed forts played an important role to resist the invasion of the Spanish.
The Battle of Terceira (Bay of Mós Landing) triggered the end of D. António I of Portugal’s reign (1583). The Spanish presence in Portugal only ended with the Restoration of Independence (1640).
The trail ended in the village of Sao Sebastiao, well know for their bull runs.
To see even more agricultural land, we went to the viewpoint of Serra do Cume from which you can contemplate the impressive interior plain of the island of Terceira. The fields are divided by stone walls and known as manta de retalhos (patchwork blanket).
Up through the woods
This time, the trail went up from the coastal village of Serreta almost straight up to a beautiful view point on the mountain.
What’s next?
Our time in the Azores comes to an end. We can feel the weather change and soon, strong winds and rain will be more frequent. Our plan is to sail to Madeira but we also need to take care of Silvia’s tooth infection. So, we will see where the trail takes us next.
