• Walking Trail Faja Sanguinhal in Sao Jorge Island in Azores

Walking Trail Sanguinhal

This Walking Trail leads us to two of the most remote Fajãs in Sao Jorge island. It was forgotten, since 1980 because the earthquake of 1980.

This walking tour leads us to two of the most remote Fajãs in Sao Jorge island. It was forgotten, since 1980, by its population who abandoned it because of the earthquake of January 1st. Its inhabitants lived of what nature gave them, fishing, farming and grazing. It was a self subsisting fajã. This fajã is located on the north coast of the island of Sao Jorge, by the sea.


In Fajã do Sanguinhal, in the past, there were quite a few inhabited houses, about 18 overall. Due to their abandon by their owners, the houses are almost all in ruins. The inhabitants of this fajã raised cattle in the high grasslands during the summer and was taken to fajã in winter, being fed with leaves and small branches of the incense tree harvested nearby. Besides the river that divides the boundaries with Fajã Redonda there is the Sanguinhal River in whose pools you can find many eels. Here the water of six water springs runs all the way until the last grasslands of Sanguinhal, soaking them and allowing fresh grass to grow all the time.


This route begins in Serra do Topo (500 meters Sea level). Let us go up to 900 m of altitude to begin the descent to Fajã do Sanguinhal and Redonda. The first part of the trail will last 1 hour, until we reach the sightseeing over Fajã do Sanguinhal. At this point, we will have the first view of the mythical Fajã.


After a stop for a snack, we go on all the way down for another hour of hiking.

Walking Trail Faja Sanguinhal in Sao Jorge Island in Azores

Once you get to Fajã do Sanguinhal and restore your strength with a picnic, we will explore Fajã do Sanguinhal. We can also refresh yourselves in the cool clear waters of the waterfalls of this Fajã.

In the beginning of the afternoon, we will start the ascent to the summit of the island. However, we’ll pass by Fajã Redonda for a little visit. About 5 hours will be the estimate time to complete this route.


A track of 3200 steps awaits us, embedded in the mountain range between Fajã Redonda and the river with the same name. This was another one of the daily accesses the ancient inhabitants used to transport the cream of the milk, which was extracted on these fajãs and sold to the cooperatives on the South coast.

Reaching the island's summit, we’ll have a privileged view of the north coast, with Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo in the foreground. It is certainly the high moment of this trekking.


We’ll follow then by a parallel track to the valley that gives access to Fajã da Caldeira Santo Cristo, in a higher quota, which will take us to the end of this walking path.


At the end, our transfer will be waiting to take us to the Aventour Base.


We do this activity in 2 days with camping ...... "Adventure Expeditions - Sanguinhal"

activity information

difficulty level

Distance of the Hiking

total distance: 12km

Hiking duration

hiking: 8h

Total Time of the Activity

total time: 10h

Starting Point

start: serra

Finish Point

finish: piquinho urze

Location

north coast

Maximum Altitude

altitude max: 850m

Location

16 years

10

additional information

Ponto de Encontro

meeting point


 The meeting point is where the activity starts.
When you make the reservation, a link will be sent to you with the location of the Meeting Point to the activity's starting point. 

bring to the activity

Comfortable and light clothing;

Hiking boots or tennis shoes;

Cap;

Backpack not exceeding 25L;

Waterproof jacket;

Wind shield.;

Camara.

included in the activity

​​​​​​​ Accredited guides;

Insurance;

Snack;

Waters;

Gift Aventour.

PRICES
1 PERSON
2/+ PERSONS
PRICES

- You get a discount of 5€ per person, if you go directly to the meeting point for the activity. We will send you the coordinates (Google Maps) of the meeting point.

- The prices for a single client, at the time of booking, are 50% off. On the date of the activity, if there is only one client, you will have to pay the remaining 50% (at the meeting point), if there are no other clients for the same tour.

1 PERSON
2/+ PERSONS