Rumo ao Morro de Castelo Branco - Faial PRC05 FAI

Partially inserted in the protected area for the habitats and species management of Varadouro and passing by the natural reserve and geosite of Morro do Castelo Branco, this route allows us to access the trachyte dome with the same name, a Geosite that forms a peninsula on the Southeast part of the island.

Begin the trail at Lombega, near the regional road and go alongside passing by a café where you can stop to refill. Follow the marks, on the left end side, by a dirt road accessing cultivated fields until reaching the cliff. Continue near the cliff among the several exemplars of Azorean Heather (Erica azorica), Fayatree (Morella faya) and Giant Reed (Arundo donax).

Follow the marks, passing on your left by a view point, overlooking the youngest part of the island, the area of Capelinhos. Ahead, there is Morro do Castelo Branco, resulting of a coastal volcanic eruption, with around 300 thousand years and an important nesting place for some species of sea birds like the Cory’s Shearwater (Calonnectris diomedea borealis), Common tern (Sterna hirundo), Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) and Barolo Shearwater (Puffinus baroli). When reaching a gate, choose the detour on your right end side, towards Morro and before the end of the road profit the view on the East, to Pico island.

From here the trail continues the same way until the gate where you should follow right and ahead, on your left end side, by an asphalted road accessing cultivated fields and pastures. This road continues until the regional road. Place where the trail ends.