Matas da Agualva

This small circular route starts and returns to the mill on Rua do Saco, in the parish of Agualva, and allows you to discover up close two resources that shaped local life: water and wood. The streams of Agualva once powered nearly fifty mills and today are the source of water that supplies 6 of the 11 parishes in Praia da Vitória municipality; meanwhile, the timber from the forests continues, as it did in the past, to feed the sawmills and carpentry workshops in the area.

On the first section, the trail follows the stream’s edge. Along the way you’ll see terraces with traditional orchards and various remnants of ancient milling structures, mills, waterfalls and channels that show how important water was for agriculture and as an energy source. Natural waterfalls also appear, as does the leisure area of Parque das Frechas, with its cluster of endemic species – two spots worth pausing at for the scenery and surroundings.

Further upstream, the route crosses several water courses and enters forest paths surrounded by varied vegetation, especially exotic species: incense trees (Pittosporum undulatum), large eucalyptus trees (Eucalyptus globulus), pines (Pinus pinaster) and fine examples of tree ferns (Cyathea cooperi). Here stands out the viewpoint “Varanda sobre a Agualva”, offering a wide view over the parish and the Ramo Grande area.

In the final section you descend via the “Atalho Alto” path, along old forest trails that timber workers once used, in a setting of dense, thick forest. In this segment you can still see old shelters for goats and various drainage channels connected to the springs of Ribeira da Silveira, as well as remnants of the old water supply system that carried water from Fonte da Silveira to Air Base No. 4 (BA4), visible at several points along the path.

Since the trail mostly follows forest paths and crosses several water courses, it’s advisable to check the weather conditions before setting out and wear appropriate clothing and footwear, accounting for the possibility of slippery ground.