At 11.15 hrs 8/6/17 Mike exited Vila do Porto marina by its NE corner to join the Trilho da Costa Sul hike PR 05 SMA
Leaving the marina area
Crossing the small stream on the other side of the beach
Eventually joined the official trail, with views of Vila do Porto on the other side of the valley
View of Vila do Porto marina
The trail follows the walkway built at the site of the Pedreira Campo Figueral Prainha National monument
This is an ancient quarry where building materials - Limestones and sandstones used to be extracted. Sedimentary rocks are rarely found in these volcanic islands. The rocks have abundant fossils
Shortly after the quarry, the trail enters some woods and goes past some old man-3made caves which were used to extract limestone
There are stunning coastal views along much of the trail
The coastal town of Praia comes into view - 1 1/2 hours from the marina. Here, I decided to retrace my steps and return to the marina.
On 12/6/17 I repeated the hike with Theo & Michelle from S/V Faja Lobi, but this time continued down to Praia and took a taxi back to Vila do Porto. This time we started the hike at 1200 hrs .
After steep undulating descents , the trail reaches the beach
The trail can be a bit tricky to follow at high water - low water would be advisable
Trying to avoid a drenching from breaking waves - makes for an amusing route if one is nimble enough and doesn't mind getting wet
Finally arrived in Praia at 1600 hrs (after 4 hrs) and called a taxi from a cafe there - €10 back to Vila do Porto.
See blog of 28/6/2012 for the first time that we walked this trail.
Descriptions of this, and other trails in the Azores , can be found with the below link
