Vigia de São Pedro

A linear trail that follows the coastline of the northern shore of São Miguel, from the parish of São Vicente Ferreira to Calhetas. The starting point is located near Poços de São Vicente, today a bathing area beside the fishing port, which during the whaling era was the most important on the island. On the other side of the road you can still see the ruins of the old whale factory, and from here the northern coast opens up to view, with the Points of São Pedro, Cintrão and Fenais da Ajuda standing out on the horizon.

From Poços, follow the signage along the road until you reach a small car park. Go around the houses and continue along the sea on a dirt track, which leads to a residential neighbourhood. Continue then to the main road that leads to the parish of Fenais da Luz. When you reach the Church of Nossa Senhora da Luz, turn left towards the coast; at that point there is a short detour to the left that leads to a viewpoint overlooking the northern coast of the island.

Back on the trail, proceed along a street lined with traditional houses from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, until you reach a dirt path with several accesses to the coastal strip. Along this section you pass some of the most striking points of the trail: Ponta de São Pedro, the Hermitage of São Pedro (from the sixteenth century) and, a little further on, Buraco de São Pedro, a curious geological formation where you should be careful due to the risk of falling.

Continue always along the coast, passing a final access to the waterfront, until you enter Calhetas. The trail ends near the Church of Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem, built in 1728.