Great Route - Stage 3: Norte -Bananeiras

The third stage of the Grand Route, with a length of 16,5 km along the Northeast coast, is dominated by the typical architecture of the island, with indigo-blue views from the doors and windows. 

This stage connects the village of Lugar do Norte to the Lugar das Bananeiras and allows you to visit one of the local priority geosite, going through the Pico Alto, considered by the scientific community as a biodiversity hotspot, where you can observe the entire island from its viewpoint. Finally, the route leads to the Bananeiras, in São Pedro parish.

From the centre of the village of Lugar do Norte, follow the marks towards the village of Santa Bárbara, passing by the places of Lagos, Poço Grande and Boavista. Continue through the interior of the place until you arrive at Poço da Pedreira, an old quarry also known as Pico Vermelho that used to supply cut stone for the construction of the typical houses of Santa Maria. 
Following the marks heading South, you will pass by the place of Arrebentão and enter the place of Forno. Go down by a pedestrian road until Ribeira do Salto, where you can have a glimpse of the waterfall of Cai’Água. 
The trail continues West until reaching Pico Alto, the highest point on the island at 587 meters, rich in endemic vegetation. This part of the trail crosses a forest area where you will pass by a connection to Baía of São Lourenço through PR06SMA – Areia Branca. After passing a geodesic landmark, take in the view of the village of São Pedro. 
From here, the road continues until the regional road, following among farming and forest fields, finishing at a fountain, near the road that leads to the place of Bananeiras, where this leg ends.