{"id":42824,"date":"2024-11-29T17:53:22","date_gmt":"2024-11-29T16:53:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/keepfit.godziolink.site\/2024\/11\/29\/spectacular-hike-to-the-salto-do-prego-waterfall-on-sao-miguel-island-in-the-azores\/"},"modified":"2025-11-27T13:01:20","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T12:01:20","slug":"spectacular-hike-to-salto-do-prego-waterfall-on-sao-miguel-island-in-the-azores","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/keepfit.godziolink.site\/en\/2024\/11\/29\/spectacular-hike-to-salto-do-prego-waterfall-on-sao-miguel-island-in-the-azores\/","title":{"rendered":"Spectacular hike to Salto do Prego Waterfall on S\u00e3o Miguel Island in the Azores"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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If you’re dreaming of an unforgettable hike that mixes epic views with a touch of local charm, the PRC09 SMI trail to Sanguinho on S\u00e3o Miguel is an absolute must!<\/p>\n

This is one of my all-time favorite spots on the island, and even though I didn\u2019t have much time on the Azores, I ended up coming back here twice. The hike is nothing too challenging, but the scenery is nothing short of spectacular \u2014 definitely the most unique on S\u00e3o Miguel, in my opinion. Plus, it’s not overrun with tourists. You’ll mostly meet locals along the way, and on my second hike, I had the whole trail to myself, which made the experience even more special \u2014 it’s like being completely surrounded by nature.<\/p>\n

The trail ends at the gorgeous Salto do Prego waterfall, which is just breathtaking. The water is cold, but it\u2019s so clear and inviting that you have<\/em> to take a dip!<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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How to get to the trailhead<\/h2>\n

To reach the starting point of the trail to Salto do Prego waterfall, head to the eastern part of S\u00e3o Miguel Island, to the charming village of Faial da Terra. The drive from Ponta Delgada takes around 1.5 hours, but the journey is well worth it, with beautiful landscapes, winding roads, and stunning views of the ocean far below.<\/p>\n

You can get to Faial da Terra either by your own car or by taxi, and parking is easy to find. The trailhead is right next to the village. Before setting off on the hike, it’s a good idea to stop by the local supermarket to grab some water and snacks. The whole trip, there and back, will take around three hours if you’re walking at a relaxed pace, so it’s worth preparing for a longer hike.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Faial da Terra<\/h2>\n

Faial da Terra is a charming, tiny village located on the southeastern tip of S\u00e3o Miguel, famous for its lush greenery, dramatic cliffs, and of course, the stunning Salto do Prego waterfall. It’s a beloved spot for both locals and visitors, who come not just for the natural beauty but also for the area’s cultural attractions. You can explore the historic Nossa Senhora da Gra\u00e7a church, old water mills, and even a historical whaling port.<\/p>\n

One of the most intriguing parts of Faial da Terra is the abandoned village of Sanguinho, which you’ll pass on your way to the waterfall. Strolling through its cobbled streets feels like a step back in time, offering a glimpse into the island\u2019s past.<\/p>\n

If you visit in August, don\u2019t miss Faial da Terra Blues, a local festival celebrating music, traditional food, and the village\u2019s unique charm. And after a hike, you can cool off at the free public pool by the ocean \u2013 the perfect way to end your adventure!<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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PRC09 SMI Trail – Sanguinho, S\u00e3o Miguel<\/strong><\/h2>
  • Start of the trail:<\/strong> Faial da Terra<\/li>
  • Length:<\/strong> 4.5 km<\/li>
  • Elevation gain:<\/strong> 203 m<\/li>
  • Duration:<\/strong> 2 hours<\/li>
  • Difficulty level:<\/strong> Moderate<\/li>
  • Type of trail:<\/strong> Loop<\/li>
  • Availability:<\/strong> Open year-round<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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    Start of the trail<\/h6>

    Starting from Faial da Terra, right next to the bus stop, you begin the trail that initially follows a paved road. However, it quickly transitions into a picturesque natural path. As you walk along the stream on your right, you’ll find yourself surrounded by increasingly dense vegetation. You’ll pass trees such as Pittosporum undulatum (Australian Cheesewood) and Black Acacia (Acacia melanoxylon). The trail winds through the thick forest, giving you the feeling of walking through a mysterious green tunnel.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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    The bridge and Salto do Prego Waterfall \u2013 a nature lover\u2019s paradise<\/strong><\/h6>

    When you reach the bridge over the stream, the trail gets a bit steeper. After crossing the bridge, take the right path at the fork \u2013 this will lead you straight to the Salto do Prego waterfall. And here\u2019s the highlight of the trail: the majestic waterfall, showing off the raw power of nature.<\/p>

    The waterfall is fed by crystal-clear water, and locals often come here on their days off to take a dip. When I visited for the first time, I noticed that some tourists didn\u2019t know this and didn\u2019t have swimsuits with them. A general tip for the Azores \u2013 always throw a swimsuit in your backpack! Most natural spots, whether it\u2019s waterfalls, natural pools, or coves, are perfect for a swim, so it\u2019s great to be prepared.<\/p>

    The water is cold, but it’s totally worth it. There isn\u2019t much in terms of tourist facilities around the waterfall \u2013 no toilets or changing rooms, so it’s good to be ready for those conditions. But honestly, no one really cares, and everyone just changes right next to the waterfall.<\/p>

    And don\u2019t forget to explore the area around the waterfall \u2013 the path continues up the stream, offering other beautiful views along the way.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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    The return through Sanguinho \u2013 the forgotten village<\/strong><\/h6>

    On your way back from the waterfall, you\u2019ll reach a marked fork (the second one). If you head right, you’ll find the path that leads to Sanguinho. This tiny village will make you feel like you\u2019ve stepped back in time. With typical Azorean houses, small farms, and exotic trees like Frangula azorica<\/em>, this part of the hike has a unique, nostalgic charm.<\/p>

    Sanguinho was inhabited for over a century, but in the 1950s, the village was completely abandoned. One of the main reasons for this was the difficulty the residents faced in transporting their children to school, so they decided to leave. Along with that, economic struggles pushed many Azoreans to emigrate to America in search of better opportunities.<\/p>

    Today, the abandoned land is used by local residents for small agricultural projects, and some even leave fruit for passing tourists, asking for a small donation in return.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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    The return \u2013 down the stone path<\/strong><\/h6>

    The final stretch of the hike takes you down a winding stone path. It\u2019s important to be careful here, as the trail can be slippery, and the steep descent calls for a slower pace. But trust me, the views along the way are more than worth the effort! Faial da Terra and the vast Atlantic Ocean create a stunning panorama that will stay with you long after the hike. As you make your way down, you’ll reach the first fork in the trail and soon return to the starting point\u2014back to the parking lot.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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    More trails and attractions on S\u00e3o Miguel Island<\/strong><\/h2>

    If you’re eager to discover more amazing hiking trails on S\u00e3o Miguel, I warmly invite you to check out my separate article where I dive into the best hiking routes on this stunning island. And if you\u2019re looking to explore other attractions waiting for you on S\u00e3o Miguel, be sure to take a look at my general guide to this incredible island. You’ll find plenty of helpful tips and information to help you plan an unforgettable trip!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    If you’re dreaming of an unforgettable hike that mixes epic views with a touch of local charm, the PRC09 SMI trail to Sanguinho on S\u00e3o Miguel is an absolute must! This is one of my all-time favorite spots on the island, and even though I didn\u2019t have much time on the Azores, I ended up coming back here twice. The hike is nothing too challenging, but the scenery is nothing short of spectacular \u2014 definitely the most unique on S\u00e3o Miguel, in my opinion. Plus, it’s not overrun with tourists. You’ll mostly meet locals along the way, and on my<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":42242,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[292,368,272],"tags":[],"yst_prominent_words":[],"class_list":["post-42824","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-amazing-places","category-azores","category-portugal","entry","has-media"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/keepfit.godziolink.site\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42824","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/keepfit.godziolink.site\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/keepfit.godziolink.site\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/keepfit.godziolink.site\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/keepfit.godziolink.site\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42824"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/keepfit.godziolink.site\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42824\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":44503,"href":"https:\/\/keepfit.godziolink.site\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42824\/revisions\/44503"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/keepfit.godziolink.site\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42242"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/keepfit.godziolink.site\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42824"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/keepfit.godziolink.site\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42824"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/keepfit.godziolink.site\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42824"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/keepfit.godziolink.site\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=42824"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}