Moinhos da Ribeira Funda - São Miguel PRC35 SMI

This circular route at Ribeira Funda (Fenais da Ajuda), begins near the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Aflição. Go down the tarred road until you reach a fork. Here, follow left by the pasture side until the entrance of a wood of Japanese Cedars (Cryptomeria japonica), Australian Cheesewood (Pittosporum undulatum), Fayatree (Morella faya), Cabaceira (Pericallis malvifolia), among others. It is also possible to observe several species of birds such as the Buzzard (Buteo buteo rothschildi), Common Blackbird (Turdus merula), European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) and Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea patriciae).

The track goes down until a place where it will go round the ruins of an ancient levada (water channel) and some watermills known as Moinhos do Crim. Explore this place near the stream and go up until the main road, on your left. The trail follows the stream on the right bank, passing by another ensemble of mills that you can visit, crossing a bridge to the left bank. Here, there is a detour that connects to the PR 27 SMI Praia da Viola.

Return to the right bank and follow the marks towards the stream mouth, passing by some waterfalls. From here, the trail starts its ascending stage along a staircase in “Rocha do Padre do Norte”. It is advisable some caution due to the altitude in regarding the sea. During the climb, profit to appreciate the view of the North Coast with Maia, Ponta do Cintrão and the volcanic massif of Sete Cidades to the West and the edge of Fenais da Ajuda on the opposite side.

At the top of the cliff, the trail proceeds on a dirt road that climbs towards the starting point.