Exploring Hydroelectricity By means of Mountain climbing On São Miguel In The Azores [Photo Essay]

There are over 20 designated climbing trails — to not point out 10+ unofficial ones — on the Azorean island of São Miguel, a must-add to your Portugal journey itinerary.

In the event you benefit from the open air, it’s really useful to do no less than one, even in case you solely have a bit of little bit of time. This was the case for me.

Plus, I used to be staying in Ponta Delgada, the capital, the place there weren’t many path choices — if I went again I’d keep in Furnas close to the recent springs and nature — and I solely had the morning.

The place the hike begins in Caldeiras

Veering a bit off the primary path

The view and sizzling springs alongside the path.

The native tourism board really useful I go for Salto do Cabrito, a 3.5-kilometer (2.2-mile) path that takes about one hour.

You start this enjoyable hike on the Caldeiras da Ribeira Grande, a small sizzling springs parish, the place orange and red-dashed blazes are close to the standard restaurant. These result in a dust street path going towards Lombadas and Monte Escuro, and if you get to a large water pipe with the path markets going proper, you go left as a substitute.

As soon as over a small “bridge” within the street, you possibly can hop a small wire string fence on the fitting and stroll down a quiet path lined with ginger lilies, ferns, and the water of the Ribeira Grande.

If this doesn’t sound idyllic sufficient, and mixture of endemic and migrating birds on their option to Africa sing an uplifting forest tune. The small detour ended on the Fajã do Redondo Dam, which you’ll stroll throughout for excellent nature and waterfall pictures.

Pure magnificence on São Miguel Island.

Dam on the Salto do Cabrito path

Standing on the dam


A lot magnificence.

From there, you’ll head again the best way you got here from and get again on the right path, persevering with via a forest of towering eucalyptus, acacia and Japanese pink cedar that really feel as if they’re consuming you up. At occasions, the path is eery, smoke drifting out of the mountain sides.

When you might imagine you’re coming into Devil’s lair, it’s really attributable to the island’s volcanic exercise underground. This smokey steam is processed on the Geothermic Central of Pico Vermelho energy plant.

At this level, I nearly thought I used to be coming into Devil’s lair. Nope, simply naturally occurring geothermal warmth.

Smoke and hydroelectricity meet on the climbing path.

Electrical energy museum within the forest.

A have a look at the blaze you’ll be following throughout the path

Alongside the best way you’ll see hydroelectricity pipes on and off, which is why I feel it’s a good suggestion to see the dam at first of the hike off the path. It helps you perceive how the pipe diverges on the facet from the river.

On the trail — proper after the pinkish brick Hydroelectric Energy Plant of Fajã do Redondo electrical energy museum — you can also make a reservation to go to by contacting Electrical energy of the Azores at [email protected] — you’ll come to a catwalk that takes you above these pipes and a gushing river. In the event you’re afraid of heights you’ll get a slight butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling, however the precarious sensation is brief and undoubtedly manageable for many.

This part of the hike may make your abdomen flip a bit.

A novel climbing path characteristic.

View from the catwalk. Very fairly!

After a short while again within the forest, the catwalk comes again and takes you beside the lengthy pipe and river, though this time there’s additionally floor instantly beneath so it’s not as scary. It’s attention-grabbing to see how hydroelectricity is used within the Azores, because the pipes conduct water from the stream into the Hydroelectric Energy Plant of Salto do Cabrito.

Some sections power you to get near the rocks.

Strolling the low catwalk.

Peering at a small waterfall from behind a big pipe on the path.

The flat hike ends on the Hydroelectric Energy Plant of Salto do Cabrito and close to a small waterfall which, in case you don’t thoughts freezing chilly water, you possibly can swim in. I don’t partake in freezing my a** off, however as a substitute hop alongside the river rocks to take pictures.

An attractive ending to my scenic hike.

General, the hike isn’t notably difficult, however is nice for these desirous to do one thing scenic in nature alongside a singular kind of path — basically hydroelectricity themed.

I’d extremely suggest this trek for anybody desirous to get energetic within the open air for an hour or so in a fantastic place. Personally, it was a spotlight of my solo journey to Portugal.

Salto do Cabrito climbing map