Rota da Água – Entre Túneis e Condutas

A linear route that follows the ancient paths of the agueiros, the men who channelled water to the municipality of Lagoa. Along the way you will recognise heritage linked to this trade: old bridges, aqueducts, clay piping, water channels and a series of tunnels. Since there are tunnels to cross, bring a torch and make sure you are well equipped before setting off. Also note that the path shares sections with other trails, so it’s worth keeping an eye on the signage and arrows. If you encounter animals along the way, leave them in peace.

The starting point is at Casa da Água – Trail Point, a former milk collection point that today serves as a support centre for walkers, whilst also promoting the municipality of Lagoa and environmental awareness. From there you head to Remédios, where you’ll find the Ermida de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, at a high point with views over the southern coast of the island. Then you enter an earth path that provides access to pastures, and this is where the sequence of tunnels begins.

The tunnels lead you to Janela do Inferno, a vertical wall full of natural springs where you can see newts (Triturus cristatus) at different life stages, from adults to juveniles and larvae. Further on, the trails split: in one direction the PRC 37 SMI – Rota da Água, Janela do Inferno continues, which returns to Remédios; to continue this route, head towards Água de Pau. Along the way you pass a viewpoint at Pico do Raposo, several old bridges and a water fountain. There is also a municipal shortcut on the right side that links directly to the parish of Água de Pau.

From here you walk along the southern slope of the Fogo hillside. It’s an area with abundant water and this abundance is what allowed several drinking water collection stations to be installed, which were crucial for Lagoa’s economic development. The trail then begins to descend and reaches a junction with the PR 41 SMI – Rota da Água, Pedras Brancas: turn right towards Água de Pau (turning left would take you to Ribeira Chã). Near the end, you pass by a vertical wall known as Pedras Brancas, much used for climbing and abseiling. The route ends in the centre of the parish of Água de Pau.