Baías da Agualva PR2TER

Integrated into the Costa das Quatro Ribeiras Protected Area for the Management of Habitats or Species, this trail develops along the northern coast of the island, between Agualva and Quatro Ribeiras, starting in Canada da Alagoa (path) by the Regional Road.

Highlight to the Alagoa da Fajãzinha (lagoon), which is one of the best examples of a filling fajã of the Azores. This fajã is an old bay filled with sediments carried by the watercourse that flows into it (Grota da Lagoa) and is bordered by a pebble beach. Algoa da Fajãzinha is a geosite of the Azores UNESCO Global Geopark.

Start the trail along a dirt track that leads to agricultural fields until you reach Grota da Lagoa. Here you can appreciate the typical Azorean landscape composed of pastures enclosed by stone walls.

The trail continues through a water line, ideal for seeing and hearing some of the species of terrestrial birds, namely the subspecies of endemic passerines of the Azores: the Azores Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs moreletti) and the Azores Blackbird (Turdus merula azorensis).

Continue in the direction of Alagoa da Fajãzinha, follow the signs until the pebble beach and then climb the cliff to the left, where the dominant plant species is Tree Heath (Erica azorica). At the top of the sea-cliff, with a short detour to the left, you will find a small viewpoint from where you can see the pebble beach of this fajã. Continuing the trail, it is possible to observe the process of colonization of lava fields by coastal scrublands of Tree Heath.

You will reach a junction where, before continuing the trail on the left, you can make a short detour to the viewpoint on the right. Here, admire the bays that feature extensive areas of sea-cliffs, with basalt prismatic jointing phenomena.

Follow the path until you enter a zone consisting of coastal Macaronesian scrublands where you can see rare examples of low altitude Juniper (Juniperus brevifolia).

Continue along the cliff passing by Baía das Pombas, a privileged place for birdwatching, with the presence of Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) in summer and the Azores Rock Pigeon (Columba livia atlantis) and the Azores Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus azorica) throughout the year.

Continue to Ponta do Mistério, where you can see Ponta das Quatro Ribeiras, and go around the cliff until you reach the regional road, where the trail ends.