Caminho das Lagoas

This linear trail takes walkers to the heart of the Pico island, an interior area that remains practically untouched. The starting point is on the Estrada Transversal, beside a Forestry Services building, and the trail ends in the parish of Ribeirinha.

Along the way, several bodies of water succeed one another, giving the trail its name: the Lagoas do Caiado, Lagoa Seca, Lagoas do Peixinho and Lagoa do Paúl, among others. There are also stretches of high-altitude pasture and a crossing through the Caveiro Natural Reserve, which adds special natural value to the route.

It is in this area that you can observe vegetation typical of high-altitude wetland zones: active tall peatlands and blanket peatlands, with Sphagnum sp., Eleocharis multicaulis and Juncus sp., alongside holly (Ilex perado ssp. azorica) and Azores juniper (Juniperus brevifolia). Among the birds, you may encounter goldcrests (Regulus regulus inermis), blackbirds (Turdus merula azorensis) and woodcocks (Scolopax rusticola).

When the sky is clear, your gaze can reach the islands of São Jorge and Terceira. On foggy days, however, this is not a recommended trail.