Praia da Viola

On the north coast of São Miguel, this trail connects the parishes of Lomba da Maia and Maia, with Praia da Viola as its highlight – one of the archipelago’s most beautiful beaches in its natural state. Begin in the centre of Lomba da Maia, near the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário, and follow the marked paths that cross through the parish interior towards the sea.

Leaving povoação, the route enters an earth track that serves agricultural and grazing lands, with the island’s north coast always in view – Maia, Ponta Formosa and Ponta do Cintrão. This section ends at the paved road leading to the beach car park; it is here, on the right, that you’ll find the connection to PRC 35 SMI – Moinhos da Ribeira Funda. From there, descend the stone stairway through the ruins of the Viola mills. Powered by water from Ribeira do Salto, they ground wheat and maize to make flour for bread, the staple food of many families in the parish and on the island.

At the next junction you can continue straight to the beach, or turn left if the sea is rough and the passage along the cliff becomes risky. Praia da Viola is small and well-sheltered, nestled in a cliff face where several natural springs emerge. Following to the left, roughly halfway along the sand, you’ll spot waterfalls that once fed other mills, now also in ruins.

Climb beside these mills and at the junction, turn right towards Maia. Along the way you’ll pass more old mills, a viewpoint over the north coast inviting a stop, and a set of tanks where the local population once washed clothes. The trail ends in the bathing area of Porto Novo, a small bay east of Maia parish, much sought after in summer for a swim in the Atlantic waters. From here, other connections across the island branch off via PRC 36 SMI – Pedra Queimada/Lajinha/Degredo.