Right in Trend

Today we are doing something for our health. We will try the latest trend - 8.4 km of health walking. While regular hiking primarily engages the leg, glute, trunk, and back muscles, health walking reduces waist circumference and weight. Who wouldn’t want a firm butt when they can have a flat stomach?

We are headed to the main attraction in São Jorge - the hike to Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo.

The actual trail starts up in the clouds and ends there as well.

But 19 km really has nothing to do with health, rather with torture and aching extremities. Therefore, we decide to hike only half the distance and skip the climbing.

The starting point is a 45-minute drive in Fajã dos Cubres.

Facts:

Fajã dos Cubres, whose name comes from the plant “cubres” = goldenrod (solidago sempervirens), has recently been included in the “7 Wonders of Portugal” in the category of sea villages.

This and the neighboring Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo are among the most significant and beautiful detrital fajãs, coastal plains formed by landslides on São Jorge. Among the 74 fajãs of the island, they are the only ones with extensive lagoons separated from the sea by beach pebbles. The areas of Fajãs dos Cubres and da Caldeira de Santo Cristo, which are about 3 km apart, expanded due to the earthquakes of 1757 and 1980 and are now connected by a beautiful hiking trail.

And that’s exactly the path we’re taking today.

The access to the starting point is steep and winding, as is the case everywhere on the island. Recently, there must have been a rockslide here, as the remains are still clearly visible.

We begin at the parking lot in Fajã dos Cubres by putting on the right hiking gear. Then it’s uphill and down and up again, and so on.

The red path is the only access to the two Fajãs do Belo and da Caldeira de Santo Cristo. Everything here is transported with Quardt's - whether it’s luggage, cement sacks, or people. Only we have to walk. 😅

Passing by three waterfalls that could rival any still life. Not even a trickle or a puddle - nothing - total dryness. Yes, where we are, it’s hot and dry.

The two Fajãs do Belo and da Caldeira de Santo Cristo are really very remote; here, even the fox and hare don't say goodnight to each other, that would be too lonely for them. But a few people apparently enjoy this seclusion, as there are even accommodations with pools. Find yourself - why not.

After 8.4 km, we stumble back to the car, slightly sweaty.

A refreshing dip in a Natural Pool would be great right now. Just 13 km and a 27-minute drive separate us from the cool waters.

However, the Natural Pool doesn’t look very inviting; it looks more like a green algae soup.

Oh no, then we'd rather choose our hotel pool.

Totally worn out from the hike, I will now