Lagoa do Capitão

The trail starts on the Central Plateau of the island, near the Transversal Road. The first metres are on asphalt, on a section that takes you directly to Lagoa do Capitão.

After visiting the lake, the route requires you to retrace your steps and take a dirt path on the right. This is where endemic vegetation takes centre stage, particularly the large myrtle cedars (Juniperus brevifolia) that line the path.

At kilometre 3, there is an opportunity to partially skirt Cabeço do Piquinho, a detour that is worthwhile for the views over the North coast of Pico. Back on the main trail, you descend about 400 metres along a bagacina path until a right turn that gives access to the pasture. Following the markings, you enter a shortcut cut through the endemic vegetation.

From here the terrain slopes: the shortcut becomes paved and the descent steepens. As altitude is lost, the vegetation landscape changes and gives way to incense forests. Once out of the denser vegetation, a small detour to the right leads to a picnic area and an old water tank.

The final part of the route descends towards Cais do Pico, alternating between asphalt and dirt surfaces, until it ends at the Convent of São Pedro de Alcântara, the end point of the trail.