Terceira, the third largest island in the archipelago, is recognized for its heritage and cultural wealth, as well as playing an important role in the national and international geotourism scene, as it brings together a set of very particular volcanological structures and geosites.
This itinerary begins in Miradouro da Fajã da Alagoa, na costa norte da ilha Terceira, para observação atenta das suas arribas: o Biscoito das Calmeiras, uma espessa escoada emitida da caldeira do Pico Alto, que descendo as encostas deste vulcão, avançou mar dentro, e a fantástica disjunção colunar nas arribas a poente deste geossítio.
We continue to natural pools of Biscoitos, a recreational place you cannot miss, one of Terceira's ex-libris. These natural pools are a set of geological formations, created by lava flows that gave rise to depressions and rock formations when they came into contact with sea water and that, over time, originated this incredible bathing area, open to the public since 1969. If the weather is good, don't miss out the opportunity to come and dive in these clear waters.
On the way to Lagoa das Patas, we make a stop at Pico Matias Simão, the remains of a lava spatter cone located west of Biscoitos, offering an extraordinary view over the sea, and where there once stood an important whale-watching lookout point.
Upon arriving to the Nature Reserve and Recreation Park of Lagoa das Patas, we suggest stopping for a picnic, in harmony with the surrounding nature. One of the most pleasant leisure areas of the island.
After lunch, we continue to the Algar do Carvão (temporarily closed), classified as a Regional Natural Monument, which resulted from an extraordinary volcanic phenomenon. It is normally open to visitors, and along the route, visitors can understand the path taken by the lava flow expelled by the volcano, halted by a thick layer of rock. Inside, we highlight the impressive underground lake and the set of milky-white silica stalactites and stalagmites.
For nature lovers, we suggest the PRC10TER circular walking trail, of difficulty suitable for all ages, which will take us to Furnas do Enxofre, the most important fumarolic field on Terceira Island. In this geosite, the temperature of the water vapor reaches 95 to 98º C. This hydrothermal activity favors the development of clays and sulfur and allows a surprising experience to any visitor who attends this “spectacle of volcanic activity, under our foot".
