Caminho dos Burros: Vertente Norte

The trail starts on the Central Plateau of Pico, near the Caminho das Lagoas. The first 500 metres are along a beaten earth path; then, turn right onto a shortcut that winds through endemic vegetation, in the vicinity of Cabeços do Mistério.

About a kilometre further on, the descent begins, now along a narrower path, where the vegetation becomes more substantial. In this area, it’s worth noticing an important population of the endemic Euphorbia stygiana and extensive patches of Sphagnum.

When you reach the road, turn right and, shortly after, left onto a bagacina path. This is where the route splits: you can head to São Miguel Arcanjo or descend to Baía de Canas. The connection to São Miguel Arcanjo is along beaten earth, for approximately 3 kilometres.

If you choose Baía de Canas, walk a further 1.7 km and turn left onto a path lined with incense trees (Pittosporum undulatum), acacias (Acacia sp.) and laurels (Laurus azorica), which leads you to Parque Florestal da Prainha. From there, simply follow the markings along the beaten earth and loose stone paths, until the end of the trail at Baía de Canas.