Moinhos da Ribeira Funda

This circular route unfolds in the place of Ribeira Funda, in Fenais da Ajuda, and starts next to the Ermida da Nossa Senhora da Aflição. Begin by descending the asphalt road, which further ahead becomes a dirt path. When you reach the fork, turn left and follow along the edge of the pasture until you reach the entrance to a forest.

Here, the vegetation includes Japanese cryptomeria (Cryptomeria japonica), pittosporum (Pittosporum undulatum), Azores mahogany (Morella faya) and Azores groundsel (Pericallis malvifolia), among other species. With attention, it is possible to spot birds such as the buzzard (Buteo buteo rothschildi), the blackbird (Turdus merula), the robin (Erithacus rubecula) and the grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea patriciae).

The path leads to the ruins of an old water channel and to a group of watermills known as the Moinhos do Crim, which you skirt around on the left. It is worth stopping to explore this point by the stream before climbing, on the left, to the main path. From there, the trail follows the stream along the right bank and passes another set of mills; to visit them, cross the bridge to the left bank, where there is also a detour that connects to PR 27 SMI Praia da Viola.

Back on the right bank, follow the signage towards the mouth, passing several waterfalls. From here begins the climbing section, up a stairway on the so-called Rocha do Padre do Norte, where care should be taken due to the altitude in relation to the sea. Along the climb, the view opens up over the north coast, with Maia, Ponta do Cintrão and the volcanic massif of the Sete Cidades to the west, and Ponta dos Fenais da Ajuda on the opposite side.

At the top of the cliff, the trail continues along a dirt road that gains height until returning to the starting point.