Algar do Carvão – Furnas do Enxofre

This small circuit, in the Terceira, unfolds entirely within the Protected Area for Habitat or Species Management of the Central Plateau and Northwest Coast, a public space where several ecological and landscape recovery works are underway. On foot, the route connects two natural monuments on the island: the Algar do Carvão and the Furnas of Enxofre.

The starting point is located near the car park of the Algar do Carvão, at the beginning of the bagacina path. Enter through the shortcut on the left, which leads to the old forest exploitation trails, among hills covered with native forest. After climbing to the old geothermal borehole, now deactivated, continue along a beaten earth path that crosses the plateau beside a patch of Laurissilva, with open views towards the Pico of Salsa, the Pico Tamujo and the Sanguinhal peatland.

When you spot the Pico Alto Geothermal Plant, turn south, crossing patches of native flora and meadows until you reach the asphalt. At this point you can choose to make a 600 m detour to the left to discover the fumarole field of the Furnas of Enxofre.

Returning to the detour location, follow the trail that cuts through the middle of the meadow. Climb to a promontory with wide panoramic views over the Pico of Alpanaque and the Caldeira de Guilherme Moniz; on days of good visibility, you can even spot the mountainous massif of Serra de Santa Bárbara and, on the horizon, the islands of São Jorge and Pico. From here, descend through the native vegetation that surrounds the Pico of Sanguinhal until you reach the road, where you turn left and continue straight ahead back to the car park of the Algar do Carvão.

It’s worth noting a detail of the trail itself: its structures were made with local wood, sourced from the removal of exotic trees (eucalyptus) as part of the ecological and landscape restoration of this area.