Barreiro da Faneca, the “Red Desert” of the Azores – Santa Maria

Barreiro da Faneca, located on Santa Maria Island, is considered the “Red Desert” of the Azores Archipelago.

It draws attention with its intensely red hue caused by the arid, clay-like landscape, resembling the planet Mars. The area is classified as a Protected Landscape and covers approximately 8.35 km².

At Barreiro da Faneca, you will find a truly unique tourist attraction, unlike most other places in the Azores, which are predominantly green with lush vegetation. It’s fascinating to explore the various paths around this Red Desert and discover its fantastic spots.

Deserto Vermelho dos Açores
Fotografia de Carla Dias

So, don’t miss the chance to visit the Red Desert, an unmissable place that blends the green of the vegetation, the blue of the sea, and at the heart of it all, the red of the desert. It’s well worth adding Barreiro da Faneca to your travel itinerary.

History

As with the entire region, this site has its origins linked to volcanology. It is part of a geological unit known as the “Feteiras Formation,” which is attributed to the more recent volcanic activity on Santa Maria Island, characterized by explosive eruptions and composed of pyroclasts, later replaced by red clay, influenced by the warm and humid climate.

Barreiro da Faneca is located within a Protected Landscape area and has a strong presence of ancient basalt lava flows covered by volcanic ash. This protected area extends from Ponta dos Frades to Ponta do Norte and includes, in addition to Barreiro da Faneca, the Bays of Raposo, Cré, and Tagarete.

It’s important to note that this landscape features undulating terrain, with gentle slopes and small ravines caused by rainwater. To preserve the clayey soil, the main feature of Barreiro da Faneca, controlled deforestation is carried out to prevent the spread of vegetation that would cover this unique land.

Vista Barreiro Da Faneca
Fotografia de Rodrigo Pereira Aguiar

Curiosities

Around the Red Desert, you can observe several species of endemic flora of the Azores, such as the whitewood, Azorean laurel, malfurada, and heather. What’s most interesting is that amidst these species lies the desert, creating a unique contrast in the landscape.

Another interesting fact is that for decades, this location had very little vegetation throughout its area. However, in recent years, there has been a spontaneous increase in vegetation by about 70%, leading to the region being covered by plant species considered invasive.

Thus, it was necessary to manage the area through the Regional Plan for the Eradication and Control of Invasive Flora Species in Sensitive Areas, known as PRECEFIAS. This intervention removed about 12,000 m² of invasive species, at a cost of €55,000. The goal was to preserve the essence of Barreiro da Faneca. The invasive plant species removed included incense, maritime pine, pica-rato, and fern.

Vista Barreiro Da Faneca
Fotografia de Rodrigo Pereira Aguiar

Video

Barreiro da Faneca is a geosite belonging to the Azores Geopark and holds significant national, scientific, educational, and touristic value.

One of the most visited geosites on Santa Maria Island and visually very different from the others, you shouldn’t miss this fantastic desert.