Entre a Serra e o Mar - Santa Maria PRC03 SMA

This circular route begins near the church of Santa Bárbara parish, northeast part of the island. 

Go west, along the road that fives place to an alley accessing pastures.  Go up until the place of Covão da Mula from where you can see the center of Santa Bárbara and also the place where the population used to extract clay for domestic use.

From here the road continues towards the place of Lagos, situated on a valley and profit the descend along the slope to enjoy the several species of flora and birds. Reaching the base, cross the stream of Amaro and along the climb heading Norte don’t hesitate to look back and contemplate the view over Tagarete Bay and islet of Lagoinhas. Passing by the place of Norte, the trail continues south passing by the Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Lurdes, the only in the archipelago with the portal facing north.

Ahead you will find a dirt road along which there will be a detour to a viewpoint over the bay of São Lourenço. Classified as Protected Landscape, this natural amphitheater is surrounded by vineyards cultivated in terraces, with the beach and the natural swimming pools as background. Return to the main road that continues south, parallel the bay, until you arrive to Poço da Pedreira. Classified as Geosite, this ancient quarry supplied raw materials, namely the stonemasonry for the construction of the typical houses of Santa Maria.

From here, go down the road until Santa Bárbara, passing by the ruins of two windmills. Walk down Canada dos Atoleiros until the center of the village, end of the trail and where you can see the typical houses with its rural architecture, the colors and the characteristic chimneys.