Serra do Topo – Fajã dos Vimes

A linear trail that starts near the Serra do Topo Wind Farm and descends to Fajã dos Vimes, on the coast. Whenever you cross a gate along the way, close it behind you. Begin on the regional road, heading south, until you find a dirt path on the left, bordered by hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla).

After passing a gate, turn right and enter a forest with a good presence of endemic flora from the Açores, where you can recognise heather (Erica azorica), Azores juniper (Juniperus brevifolia), bilberry (Vaccinium cylindraceum) and Azores viburnum (Viburnum treleasei). The descent can have muddy and slippery ground, so it’s worth wearing appropriate footwear. Near a patch of pittosporum (Pittosporum undulatum) there is an old stone staircase that crosses the cliff face.

When you reach the paved road that serves Fajã dos Vimes, continue to the right until you reach a drinking water spring, Fonte de Água Azeda. Continue to a crossroads and turn left, along a dirt path, towards the fajã. This is where the trail intersects with PR 09 SJO – Fajã dos Vimes – Fragueira – Portal.

Already within the fajã, you can peek into the craft workshop where traditional hand-made quilts are made and try a coffee grown and prepared on site. Walk down the path to the leisure port, where the trail ends and where it’s possible to take a dip in the Atlantic. From this point there are also connections to other areas of the island, via PR 03 SJO Fajã dos Vimes – Lourais – Fajã de São João and GR 01 SJO Grande Rota de São Jorge.