Pico
Visiting the island:
Itinerary 1
It requires a full day, from early in the morning to the end of the evening. If you are staying in Madalena, we suggest that you start your tour by the north coast, toward Cachorro; you can opt by an old road, bordered by heath and incense, or by the asphalted road that passes through Biscoitos and Bandeiras. Deviate to the road that accesses to the airport, and follow to a crossroad with an old road where you should turn right continuing to Cachorro. Get back by the same road till the same crossroad and turn left to S. Roque, passing through Miragaia, Santa Luzia and Santo António.
In S. Roque Village, follow the seaside road admiring the beautiful scenery, and go down to Santo Amaro. Get back by the same road till the regional road and turn left; short after, stop at the Miradouro da Terra Alta, a belvedere with a spectacular sight, and continue through Ribeirinha till Piedade. Once here, visit the wine cellars and the seaside strand, where you can buy local pottery souvenirs.
Return by the same way, and take the regional road enjoying the landscape and its wonderful forestry richness. Deviate to Calheta do Nesquim and visit this inviting parish. Return to the regional road, and continue to Lajes do Pico, passing through Ribeira Grande and Ribeira Seca; go down and visit Ribeiras parish, and then return by the same road to Lajes. During the way, stop at the several magnificent viewpoints.
In Lajes do Pico, a typical whaler village, visit the whalers’ museum, and the several handicraft shops, exhibiting bone and whale tooth works. Continue the tour to Madalena, passing through Silveira, S. Joăo, Terra do Păo, S. Caetano, S. Mateus, Guindaste, Candelária (visit the Mother Church), and turn to Porto Calhau. Return by the same road passing through Monte Criaçăo Velha, Areia Larga (visit the wine cellar cooperative and taste the wine) and continue to Madalena Village.
Those who are staying in Lajes do Pico can start this tour taking the road to S. Roque do Pico (east) or Madalena (west). Those who are staying in S. Roque have two options: start the tour toward Madalena (east), or toward Lajes (west).
Itinerary 2
One morning or one afternoon tour. Leave Madalena toward Lajes do Pico and deviate to the road that crosses the island in west-east direction. This road goes up to a significant altitude. Visit Furna de Frei Matias, and then return to the same road. Few kilometres ahead in straight direction, visit the Capităo lagoon and enjoy the magnificent landscape. Go in direction to Lajes and take the road that lead to the lagoons of Caiado and Paul. Continue to Silveira, returning to Madalena through the south way, passing through S. Joăo, S. Caetano, S. Mateus, Candelária, Monte and Criaçăo Velha places.
Itinerary 3
Start in Lajes and pass through the mountain base till Furna de Frei Matias. Continue toward S. Roque do Pico by the road that crosses the island, admiring the wonderful view over the north Coast of Pico Island and S. Jorge Island; you can opt by continuing to Madalena, enjoying the view overlooking Madalena village place, the islets and Faial Island.
It requires a full day, from early in the morning to the end of the evening. If you are staying in Madalena, we suggest that you start your tour by the north coast, toward Cachorro; you can opt by an old road, bordered by heath and incense, or by the asphalted road that passes through Biscoitos and Bandeiras. Deviate to the road that accesses to the airport, and follow to a crossroad with an old road where you should turn right continuing to Cachorro. Get back by the same road till the same crossroad and turn left to S. Roque, passing through Miragaia, Santa Luzia and Santo António.
In S. Roque Village, follow the seaside road admiring the beautiful scenery, and go down to Santo Amaro. Get back by the same road till the regional road and turn left; short after, stop at the Miradouro da Terra Alta, a belvedere with a spectacular sight, and continue through Ribeirinha till Piedade. Once here, visit the wine cellars and the seaside strand, where you can buy local pottery souvenirs.
Return by the same way, and take the regional road enjoying the landscape and its wonderful forestry richness. Deviate to Calheta do Nesquim and visit this inviting parish. Return to the regional road, and continue to Lajes do Pico, passing through Ribeira Grande and Ribeira Seca; go down and visit Ribeiras parish, and then return by the same road to Lajes. During the way, stop at the several magnificent viewpoints.
In Lajes do Pico, a typical whaler village, visit the whalers’ museum, and the several handicraft shops, exhibiting bone and whale tooth works. Continue the tour to Madalena, passing through Silveira, S. Joăo, Terra do Păo, S. Caetano, S. Mateus, Guindaste, Candelária (visit the Mother Church), and turn to Porto Calhau. Return by the same road passing through Monte Criaçăo Velha, Areia Larga (visit the wine cellar cooperative and taste the wine) and continue to Madalena Village.
Those who are staying in Lajes do Pico can start this tour taking the road to S. Roque do Pico (east) or Madalena (west). Those who are staying in S. Roque have two options: start the tour toward Madalena (east), or toward Lajes (west).
Itinerary 2
One morning or one afternoon tour. Leave Madalena toward Lajes do Pico and deviate to the road that crosses the island in west-east direction. This road goes up to a significant altitude. Visit Furna de Frei Matias, and then return to the same road. Few kilometres ahead in straight direction, visit the Capităo lagoon and enjoy the magnificent landscape. Go in direction to Lajes and take the road that lead to the lagoons of Caiado and Paul. Continue to Silveira, returning to Madalena through the south way, passing through S. Joăo, S. Caetano, S. Mateus, Candelária, Monte and Criaçăo Velha places.
Itinerary 3
Start in Lajes and pass through the mountain base till Furna de Frei Matias. Continue toward S. Roque do Pico by the road that crosses the island, admiring the wonderful view over the north Coast of Pico Island and S. Jorge Island; you can opt by continuing to Madalena, enjoying the view overlooking Madalena village place, the islets and Faial Island.