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Walked through the gates to the Empadadas lakes
It was a very popular spot with several tour groups driving, walking around the beautiful lakes.
We then climbed along a wooded path to the Mirador above Lagoa do Eguas
View towards north coast of Sao Miguel from the Mirador
Lagoa Eguas
Views of the " Nine-Windowed Wall", an old aqueduct that used to transport water to Ponta Delgada.
Just before reaching the aqueduct we pass the start point for the PR4SMI - the Mata do Canario - Sete Cidades hike which we planned to follow
Our route left the main road and went steeply up a concrete track
Once at the top we started to get views of Sete Cidades
Had our picnic lunch sitting at the side of the trackout of the wind
With super views through the gaps in the cloud
From here, our wide gravelly track took us round the lake on the top of the volcano ridge, with almost continuous superb views of the Sete Cidades lake and town on the left and the coast on the right.
Jeannette greeting the cows
Some of the many hydrangeas en route
At around 1530 hrs we arrive in the village of Sete Cidades and pass by the church
Handy café
Caught the 1625 hrs nr 205 bus (arrived at 1640 hrs) back to Ponta Delgada after having had a thoroughly enjoyable 5 3/4 hr hike.