Entre a Serra e o Mar

Circular route that starts near the church of Santa Bárbara, a parish situated in nordeste of Santa Maria. Head west along the road, which further ahead becomes a country lane used to reach the pastures. The climb takes you to the place called Covão da Mula, a point from where you can see the centre of Santa Bárbara and also the site where clay was once collected for household use.

Continue towards the place of Lagos, nestled in a valley. Take advantage of the descent down the slope to notice the various species of flora and birds found here. Below, cross the Amaro stream and, as you climb northwards, it’s worth turning back: the landscape opens up over Tagarete bay and the islet of Lagoinhas.

Past the place of Norte, the trail bends south and passes by the Ermida de Nossa Senhora de Lurdes, a unique case in the archipelago for having its entrance facing north. Further on, an earth path offers a detour to a viewpoint overlooking São Lourenço bay. Classified as a Protected Landscape, this amphitheatre-shaped cove is flanked by terraced vineyards, with the beach and natural pools as a backdrop.

Returning to the main path, continue south, always following the bay, until you reach Poço da Pedreira. This former extraction site, today classified as a Geossite, was the source of ashlar stone used to build the typical houses of Santa Maria.

From here the route descends again to Santa Bárbara, leaving behind the ruins of two windmills. Along Canada dos Atoleiros you reach the centre of the parish, where the route ends and where you can appreciate the houses of rural architecture, with the colours and chimneys that distinguish them.