Grande Rota do Oeste

The Grande Rota do Oeste, with the code GR01 TER, crosses the entire western half of the island in a linear route. It begins at the Lagoa das Patas Recreation Forest Reserve and ends at the Mata da Serreta Recreation Forest Reserve, covering approximately 31.2 km between the two points.

Along the way the landscape changes in character: there are leisure and recreation areas, cliffs overlooking the coast, semi-natural woodlands and stretches of mountain terrain. It is a route designed to showcase the natural, scenic and sociocultural heritage of this part of the island, with a quite varied succession of scenery, communities and ecosystems.

To make the effort more manageable, the trail is divided into two stages: the first with approximately 21.9 km and the second with around 9.3 km. It is worth planning your walk according to your fitness level, the time you have available and what interests you most to see.

If you plan to spread the route over more than one day, be aware that the western zone has designated places to spend the night, and camping outside these sites is not permitted.