Flores
Santa Cruz and Fajã Grande
Duration
Full day (8 hours)
Total distance
29 km
Difficulty
Medium
ITINERARY
RVU01FLOThe island of Flores has a very unique and stunning landscape shaped by important hydrographic basins and the presence of several ancient volcanic cones. Along several waterfalls and lagoons, this itinerary presents you an incredible island, whose abundance of water, source of life, has shaped both the landscapes and the locals' experiences.
The Boqueirão Environmental Interpretation Centre, our first point of interest, is a space dedicated to promoting and providing knowledge about the places with the greatest environmental interest on the island.
We head to Central Plateau, where we can appreciate the particularities of four of the seven existing calderas on the island - Caldeira Branca and Caldeira Seca -, followed by a short walking trail, making a stop by a viewpoint that allows you to simultaneously observe the Caldeira Comprida and the Caldeira Negra, the deepest caldera in the archipelago. It is possible to appreciate several beautiful panoramic views throughout this geosite.
After lunch, we proceed to Fajã Grande, a lava delta covered by sediments brought by water lines (such as Ribeira Grande), where we can enjoy one of the most beautiful coastal landscapes in the Azores. This fossil cliff, with about 300 meters high, delimits the fajãs from the central plateau of the island and possesses numerous waterfalls on its slopes, which feed the permanent bodies of water in its base. These bodies of water are locally designated by poços, one of the most famous being the Poço do Bacalhau, nurtured by a waterfall with about 90 meters high. An idyllic place where you can also take a dip!
We take a short break to appreciate the famous Ilhéu de Monchique, Europe's westernmost point, located about 1500 meters away from the west coast of Flores. Historically this islet had a fundamental role in supporting navigation, as a reference point for correcting routes and checking navigation instruments.
We head to Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro, through a walking trail of loose stone, considered by many to be a paradisiacal place, with its steep cliff, from which various waterfalls flow.
Lastly, we take the opportunity to visit the Alagoa Watermill, one of the few existing mills on the island still in operation. A short visit you cannot miss, where you can learn how hydraulic energy was used by the population for grinding cereals, namely corn, very abundant in the island of Flores.
CERTIFIED AGENTS
Experience OC
Este passeio tem inicio em Santa Cruz, com a visita ao Centro de Interpretação Ambiental do Boqueirão, de onde partimos para o planalto central da ilha das Flores, e ai começamos a nossa jornada por alguns dos locais mais belos dos Açores. Depois de passar pela Caldeira Seca e Branca seguimos para a Comprida e Negra, aquela que é a mais profunda dos Açores. De seguida seguimos até à Fajã Grande para admirar o Ilhéu do Monchique, ponto mais Ocidental da Europa e visitar o Poço do Bacalhau. Depois de um belo almoço num restaurante local (incluído), seguimos para o Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro, onde temos uma pequena caminhada até ao verdadeiro paraíso na Terra. Para acabar em grande o nosso dia visitamos o Moinho de Água da Alagoa, ultimo moinho em funcionamento da ilha.
Program on schedule: Private
Type of Program: Guided
Mean of transportation
: By car and on foot
Duration: 7h00
Starting Point: Environmental Interpretation Centre
Spoken languages: Portuguese and English
Minimum Capacity: 2
Maximum Capacity: 8
Recommended age: All ages
Recommended for families: We have a special souvenir for children from Flores island
Other recommendations: Comfortable clothing and footwear, hat, windbreakers and water.
Included services and additional services: Tickets for points of interest, insurance, Experience OC guide and self-service lunch including drinks and coffee
Accessibility: Not accessible
Minimum advance for bookings: 48 hours
Allotments: Available everyday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
Payment: Cash, Credit Card and MB WAY
Visiting season: All year
Price (VAT included): 75,00€ / pax
Discounts: 10% discount for groups with 4+ people
Cancellation policy: If any customers cancel the program:
– up to 2 days before 100% will be charged
– up to 6 days before 50% will be charged
– free of charge up to 7 days before