Caminhos Velhos

This linear route connects a succession of protected areas in the Açores: it starts by crossing the Protected Area for Habitat or Species Management of Lomba Grande, passes through the Protected Landscape Area of the Central Zone, and ends at the Caldeira Nature Reserve. Much of the trail follows the Pedro Miguel Graben, one of the archipelago’s most significant geosites, and concludes at another of equal importance, the Caldeira itself. To the scenic value is added the interest of the path itself: these are ancient rural trails that, in times past, connected the island’s populations.

The walk begins in the centre of Ribeirinha, a parish marked by the 1998 earthquake, whose traces can still be seen in the ruins of the Church of São Mateus, built in 1934. From here you descend to the coast, passing by the Boca da Ribeira port, and continue to the Ribeirinha Lighthouse, inaugurated in 1919 and also damaged by the 1998 earthquake.

Then you enter the interior of the forest, passing by the Ribeirinha viewpoint, and descend towards the place called Espalhafatos. You need to turn right and walk along the road carefully, turning left further ahead onto an earth path that serves cultivated fields and pastures. The trail crosses a road again and gains altitude until a forest path, where you continue to the left. This small downhill section, which crosses the Protected Area of Lomba Grande, is good for catching your breath; from here it’s possible to return to the centre of Ribeirinha via PRC 09 FAI – Ribeirinha.

Continuing, you reach the Charcos de Pedro Miguel, a prime spot for observing migratory birds, and proceed along various earth paths that alternate with asphalt sections until the resting area of Cabouco Velho. From here the trail curves along a bagacina path to the Cabouco Viewpoint. Near the end of the route, it’s worth crossing the tunnel leading to the viewpoint, which opens onto the interior of the crater.

From this point there are still two options for continuing: make a circuit around the perimeter of the Caldeira via PRC 04 FAI – Caldeira, or pass along the west side of the island via PR 06 FAI – Rota dos Dez Vulcões.