Experience Natural Beauty on the Amazing Azores Islands

EXPERIENCE NATURAL BEAUTY ON THE AMAZING AZORES ISLANDS
By Jo Clark

ON BIG BLEND RADIO: Travel writer Jo Clark talks about her nature tripping adventures on the Azores Islands. Watch here in the YouTube player or download the podcast on Acast.

The Azores are volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, halfway between the United States and Portugal. Take one of the direct flights from New York (or other North American spots), and you will soon be surrounded by unspoiled nature on these Portuguese islands. 

On both Terceira and São Jorge islands, Agapanthus and the iconic Azorean Hydrangeas grow along roadsides and climb mountainous cliffs.

There aren’t large, dangerous animals (or even snakes) in the Azores. They have hedgehogs, rats, ferrets, rabbits, and bats. I saw some reindeer napping at one of the nature parks, so perhaps Santa summers in the Azores. You never know! 

The short drive from Angra to the top of Monte Brasil gives you spectacular scenery. Volcanic eruptions in the caldera formed Monte Brasil, Pico do Zimbreiro and Pico do Facho. The Fortress of São João Baptista was strategically built overlooking the island, harbors, and surrounding water. The phrase “You can see forever” could have been coined about this spot.

There is still an active-duty military post on Monte Brasil. It has a two-mile hiking trail and fortress remains to explore. The Pico das Cruzinhas (cross) monument tops the mountain.

NATURAL WONDERS OF TERCEIRA
Terceira Natural Park comprises 20 protected land and sea areas and is the largest in the Azores archipelago. 

Serra do Cume
Photos of Terceira are often the iconic “patchwork blanket” taken from Serra do Cume. This is one of the island’s taller points and has an observation deck. Early volcanic eruptions formed this caldera, now divided into pastures (cerrados) by stacked stone walls. During World War II, a checkpoint secured an underground military complex here.  

Ilhéus das Cabras
Ilhéus das Cabras, or Cabras Islet, provides nesting for marine and bird species living along Terceira’s southern coast. Now uninhabited, early shepherds grazed sheep and goats on the islets, acquiring the name Goat Island.

These two islets create the largest islet in the Azores Archipelago. The islets were privately owned until 2011 when the Nature Park of Terceira assumed ownership and added them and the waters around them to the Park. The protected area is home to shearwaters, common terns, pink terns, royal herons, turtles, and porpoises. On our zodiac tour of the area with Picos de Aventura, four types of dolphins surrounded our boat. But the whales didn’t get the memo about our whale watch, so they were no-shows.
 

Algar do Carvão – Volcanic Chimney
Algar do Carvão means “coal pit” because the cave walls were obsidian (dark black lava.) This 3,200-year-old volcanic chimney is one of the few volcanos that didn’t lose its cap. Can you imagine walking into a volcano? You walk down sloping sidewalks and steps to the bottom of a 90-meter-deep volcano filled with lush vegetation.

Furnas do Enxofre
In the center of Terceira is Furnas do Enoxfre, a 35-acre natural monument. In fumarolic fields, volcanic gasses are released at temperatures ranging from 95° to 130°. The steam, carbon dioxide, and sulfuric gas create a rare extreme environment where few microorganisms besides moss species can survive. But these tree species thrive here: Azorean Blueberry, Tree Heath, Holly, Buckthorn, and Laurel. This site constitutes a geosite location in the Azores UNESCO Global Geopark.

The Furnas also has lava caves. The cave has a perfectly shaped dome roof, creating a 40-yard-high tower, with a 183-step spiral stairway leading to a cold water lake.

Lagoa Das Pata
Lagoa Das Patas, also called Lagoa da Falca, is a park with picnic tables surrounding a small lake. A trail weaves along a stream in a forest planted by the forestry service. You can observe birds, wild ducks, geese, and migratory birds stopping at the lagoon.

Grande Roto Do Oeste
Serious hikers may want to try the Grande Roto Do Oeste. But my limited Portuguese and Spanish told me this was not a good idea. I once ordered a “grande margarita,” thinking it would be large—the size of a one-and-a-half average drink. Wrong. It turned out grande meant HUGE! Sure enough, the Cinco Ribeiras is a 19.5-mile loop. Labeled “challenging,” it will average 10 hours to complete.

The route stretches through coastal cliffs, forests, and mountains. It reaches the island’s western side where there are facilities for hikers to spend the night. Primitive camping is not allowed.

Botanical Gardens
The Duke of Terceira Garden, Jardim Duque Da Terceira, lies in tiers on a downtown Angra do Heroísmo hillside. The Garden is filled with exotic species collected by maritime adventurers. Adding to the garden’s charm, botanical names, and country of origin are tile inlays on concrete plaques. The Garden opens at 8 a.m. and closes near sunset. It is one of the city’s best-kept secrets.
 

While not a Botanical Garden, the Banana Eco Camp was interesting and educational. They grow bananas and have a campground, glamping facilities, and an excellent bar in their Coffee Cabana.

NATURAL WONDERS OF SÃO JORGE
São Jorge Island has a variety of landscapes and natural wonders, quite different from Terceira.

Silveira Natural Park (Reserva Florestal de Recreio da Silveira)
Silveira Natural Park is a wildlife refuge on the island of São Jorge. Several streams which operated mills now flow beside picnic areas, paths, and playgrounds. Tree ferns, pine trees, eucalyptus, oaks, and ornamental bushes cover the area.

Sete Fontes Natural Park (Parque Florestal das Sete Fontes)
The 30-acre Sete Fontes Forest Park is the island’s largest and most important nature reserve. Trails through thick woods meander by lakes, streams, playgrounds, and picnic areas. Ferns, azaleas, and fuchsias grow in abundance. In addition, there is a small chapel and a zoo with deer, rabbits, and parakeets.

Coffee Plantation: Café Nunes & Café da Fajã dos Vimes
Café Nunes is a small coffee farm on São Jorge. The area enjoys a subtropical climate, allowing 800 coffee plants to grow for 40 years. The farm produces coffee for local consumption and has a coffee shop that sells beans or coffees to drink with a tasty treat.

WHERE TO STAY
On Terceira, Quinta da Nasce Agua is a 10-minute walk from Angra do Heroismo. Built in 1899, the historic home is now a charming modern hotel. The grounds are so welcoming you will want to spend all day on the property. Just claim jet lag.

You’ll also love Cantinho das Buganvilias Resort on São Jorge. If you don’t feel spoiled here, you can’t be spoiled! Located in Queimada, the Resort is between the sea and old windmills. Each morning, enjoy a spectacular breakfast and views of the Islands of Pico and Faial. Fill your glass and sit on the deck all day.

Read more about the islands of Terceira and São Jorge on Recipes Travel Culture. For help planning your Azores Adventure, contact Explore Azores Islands.

Jo Clark is a travel writer and photographer based on South Carolina’s Grand Strand. She has a thirst for knowledge, history, great food, and wine! She does her very best to live up to her podcast title and Instagram handle, “Jo Goes Everywhere!” Follow her there and on her Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/HaveGlassWillTravel/. She is the editor of http://www.RecipesTravelCulture.com

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