Terceira is well known for its viewpoints and stunning views, with numerous undiscovered places of undeniable cultural and patrimonial value, and endless options of natural landscapes that will dazzle you with their beauty.
This route begins at the Miradouro do Facho, a privileged viewpoint over the Lajes Graben, one of the island’s main tectonic structures, characterised by a stepped relief, fault escarpments, and lowered flattened plateaus, where the village of Lajes and the city of Praia da Vitória are located. Here, we recall the strong and destructive earthquakes of 1614 and 1841, which devastated Praia da Vitória and stand as testimony to the seismic activity associated with this structure and its offshore extensions.
We continue to the Miradouro da Serra do Cume, stopping to admire one of the most breathtaking views on the island. From this location, we can observe the extensive plain that resulted from nearby eruptive centres and which is now dominated by green pastures and the typical “cerrados” divided by walls of volcanic stone. Across this patchwork landscape, the presence of around a dozen small volcanic cones also stands out, as well as views of some of the island’s most remarkable geosites: Ilhéu das Cabras, the slopes of Caldeira Guilherme Moniz, Pico Alto, and the Lajes Graben.
The next stop is the Museu Vulcanoespeleológico, a space that houses the collection gathered over decades by the speleological association “Os Montanheiros”: materials from various structures resulting from the volcanic origin of the Azores islands; a 3D scale model representing six of the nine Azorean islands; a collection of clays from Terceira; fossils; an extensive set of photographs of island landscapes; and a representation of the protected areas within the archipelago. It is a space designed for all ages, following the concept of a “cabinet of curiosities.”
Sugerimos terminar com um piquenique ou um passeio pelo We suggest ending with a picnic or a walk through Monte Brasil,,
the largest tuff cone in the Azores, whose crater is surrounded by four elevations: Pico das Cruzinhas, Pico do Facho, Vigia da Baleia, and Zimbreiro. It offers an excellent viewpoint over the city of Angra do Heroísmo, the entire southern area of Terceira, and the neighbouring islands. This is the ideal place for walking, whether with family or in groups, enjoying nature and the magnificent views. Here, you may also encounter some animal species, such as exotic parrots or deer.
