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Mata do Canário - Sete Cidades PR04SMI
How to get there
Leaving Ponta Delgada by the west side, along the highway, take the Regional Road towards Relva and enter the first detour on your right towards Sete Cidades. You will pass by Lagoa do Carvão, which is visible from the road, and immediately the entrance giving access to the Lagoa das Empadadas. Continue until you find on your left the old aqueduct in stone called “Muro das Nove Janelas” (nine window wall). You will find a small square where you can park your car.
Recommended gear
Appropriate footwear for walking, waterproof jacket, hat, sunscreen and water.
This trail begins in the surrounding area of "Muro das Nove Janelas" (nine window wall), a stone aqueduct once used for the water supply of public fountain in the city of Ponta Delgada.
Along this path, you can see wide panoramic views of the north and south coasts of São Miguel, as well as several species of endemic flora. The trail ends at the centre of Sete Cidades parish.
Start the trail next to "Muro das Nove Janelas".
After passing by a forest of Cryptomeria japonica and a steep rise in cement, you will arrive at the Pico da Cruz top, where you can see wide panoramic views on the north and south coast of the island and in the background, the Serra de Água de Pau. From this point, the trail follows the line of the ridge of the Lagoa Azul (lagoon), where you can sight the Lagoa das Sete Cidades and Lagoa de Santiago. Along this path, you can observe several species of endemic flora such as Ilex Azorica, Erica azorica, Angelica lignescens, Hypericum foliosum and Leontodon rigens.
Finish the trail arriving at the centre of Sete Cidades parish.