Pico da Vara

Pico da Vara is the highest point on São Miguel Island, reaching 1103 metres above sea level. There is a trail which starts in Algarvia and ends in Pico da Vara, which travellers enjoy walking to reach the summit.

These paths were used in the past by local farmers to reach the scrubland where their cattle grazed. Charcoal was also mined on this very summit, so this path has been well used for many years. On this trail, you will arrive at a fork in the track, where you turn left to get to Pico da Vara. At this fork, you are provided with a beautiful view of the southern coast of São Miguel Island. Further up from the division towards Pico da Vara, you will come to the spot marked to show where a French plane crashed in 1949.

This path can become very slippery during the rainy season. Therefore it is advisable to keep to the right of the way, where it is usually less muddy.