Vinhas da Criação Velha

This is a linear trail that connects the parish of Candelária to the place of Areia Larga, in the municipality of Madalena. Recognised by BootsnAll in 2011, it runs almost entirely within the Protected Landscape Area of Wine Culture, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2004 and one of the most emblematic on the island. Here you traverse a vast wine-growing zone still in full activity, with a network of beautifully preserved stone walls. Along the way you encounter the elements that define this culture: wine barrel ramps, cart ruts, shelter houses, wineries and tidal pools.

The route starts at Calhau Harbour and follows the coast to a tidal pool, typical of Pico. These pools show how the inhabitants adapted to make the most of resources, collecting brackish water for domestic use or for the vineyard. It then continues along the road to Pocinho Harbour, where you’ll find another tidal pool and a picnic area. From here the path contours the hill to the right, and it’s worth taking advantage of this higher zone to appreciate the vineyards and, offshore, the islets of Madalena, known as Ilhéu Em Pé and Ilhéu Deitado.

Resuming the trail markers towards the coast, you pass through the bathing area of Laja das Rosas before entering the landscape of the most characteristic vineyards of Pico. In this section it’s worth noting the cart ruts, the furrows left by carts that transported cargo, and the Moinho do Frade, rebuilt in 2003/2004 and once used for grinding cereals. Upon reaching the road, continue to the right, where a fine example of a wine barrel ramp stands out: a ramp carved down to the sea where wine barrels were rolled onto boats.

In the final part the trail follows the sea again, passing by Solar dos Limas and Solar dos Salemas, and ends near the Ancoradouro restaurant, at Areia Larga Harbour. Throughout the entire route, walkers are asked not to pick fruit.