Areia Branca

This linear trail crosses Santa Maria from side to side, from Praia Formosa on the southern coast to São Lourenço Bay in the Nordeste. What makes it special is that it connects the only two white sand beaches in the Region, a sand of calcareous origin not found on the other islands. Along the way you pass through several protected areas: the Pedreira do Campo Natural Monument, Figueiral and Prainha, the protected area for habitat and species management of Pico Alto and the protected landscape of São Lourenço Bay, as well as the geosites of Praia Formosa, Prainha and the bay itself.

As for waymarking, the trail alternates between white, red and yellow on the sections where the main and small routes cross, and yellow and red for the small route. At junctions there are ground markers indicating the direction to follow.

The starting point is next to Praia Formosa park, from where you head towards the Fort of São João Batista, better known as Castelo da Praia. From here the trail turns inland, passes through some houses in the Praia area and continues on a pedestrian path that provides access to pastures and cultivated land, always climbing in the direction of Pico Alto. Upon reaching Almagreira, the route enters a forest dominated by incense trees (Pittosporum undulatum), where endemic shrub species mix such as white wood (Picconia azorica) and holly (Ilex azorica). After passing through a cave, you reach Pico Alto at the crossing with PRC 02 SMA – Pico Alto: it is the highest point of Santa Maria and a good place for a break, with the entire island in view.

Next comes an earth path between forests and agricultural fields, crossing the centre of the Santa Bárbara parish and intersecting with PRC 03 SMA – Between the Mountain and the Sea. From here onwards the descent towards São Lourenço Bay begins, a true natural amphitheatre with hillsides of terraced vineyards and, at the bottom, the beach and natural pools. This is where the trail ends and, if the weather permits, it is worth taking a dip in the Atlantic.