Salto do Prego waterfall is one of the more famous treks on the island as you will find a few waterfalls there. In fact, you may only find this one on the whole island. The effort and the kilometres you put in are worth it, as you can swim here, which we had to try immediately. The water may have been icy, but when else would I swim in a waterfall if not on vacation? Furthermore, you can picnic, take photos or enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
Faial da Terra
The Faial da Terra route to the waterfall is as beautiful as the waterfall itself. You walk alongside the stream in dense vegetation where you can admire, for example, different species of acacia. On the way back, you can also admire the abandoned village of Sanguino.
The village was once home to farmers who sought refuge from floods. Amidst the lush vegetation, you will find old houses typical of the Azores and small farms. The village was abandoned in the 1960s when most inhabitants moved to Canada and the USA in search of better living conditions.
Salto do Prego
This circular route around the Salto do Prego waterfall is about four and a half kilometres long and can be done in about two hours. However, we recommend you book more time and enjoy swimming in the mountain and below the waterfall. Cooling off in the icy water after the hike always comes in handy. Good hiking shoes are advisable for the trek as there are quite a few rocks along the way.
Ponta do Sossego
Our steps continue to the Mirradouro da Ponta do Sossego viewpoint. It is a “resting place” on the road, but the most beautiful and iconic one on the island. Our road builders could be inspired. They inaugurated this Mirradouro in 1995. It offers a comprehensive view of the north coast of the island as well as part of the mountains of the northeast. The viewpoint is landscaped with flowering plants and endemic flora typical of the Macronesia above.
The garden area here covers some 13 000 square metres, laid out on terraces at different altitudes. Hungry, we continue to Os Melos, where our auntie cook offers us all you can eat.
Rabo de Peixe
We return from the trek to our campsite in Rabo de Peixe, where we encounter the procession of the Holy Spirit. Catholics and Evangelicals celebrate the Feast of the Sending of the Holy Spirit, and apparently, it is also honoured in the Azores, a little differently than here.
Young boys sing and dance in the streets, leading bulls through the streets. At first, we were a little scared, but luckily they had the bulls under control, and we didn’t have to run away from them like at a bullfight somewhere. The memory of this unexpected turn of events that we hit and glimpsed by complete chance in the Azores in Rabo de Peixe will stick in my mind for a long time. 🙂
In the grand finale of the Azores we will finish in Ferraria Hot Springs, natural thermal springs right in the Atlantic Ocean.
