Great Route - Stage 2: Cardal - Norte

The second stage of the Grand Route, 21 km long along the East coast, connects Cardal and the village of Lugar do Norte.

It passes through the Vigia da Baleia Viewpoint, overlooking the Ponta do Castelo, crosses the Baía da Maia (bay), rises next to one of the highest waterfalls of Portugal, the Cascata do Aveiro, and goes through part of the Santo Espírito parish to the beautiful Baía de São Lourenço. Then goes up the path of Fajãzinha, ending in the place of Norte in Santa Bárbara.

Follow the regional road carefully towards Ponta do Castelo. At the fork, choose left towards Maia. Here, you can choose to visit Ponta do Castelo and the lighthouse of Gonçalo Velho (booking required). 
Continue heading North, passing by the area of the natural swimming pools of Maia, the Cascata do Aveiro (one of the highest in the country, with 80 meters height) and go up the rocky cliff among the vineyards until you reach Santo Espírito. 
Proceed north until you arrive at the viewpoint of Espigão, with a view over Baía de São Lourenço, classified as a Protected Landscape. Cross the Ribeira do Salto and begin descending this natural amphitheatre, surrounded by vineyards in terraces and with the beach and natural swimming pools as background. 
Cross the bay until you reach the road that goes up to the area of Barreiro. Reaching the top, choose to go right and continue until you arrive at the viewpoint of Alagares, with a view over Baía de São Lourenço. From here, follow the marks to Ponta Norte of the island, passing by the old LORAN station and the lighthouse. At this stage of the trail, it is possible to see the entire North coast, along with the islet of Lagoínhas. The trail continues until the village of Lugar do Norte, where this leg ends.