Trilho « Sao Mateus Pico

Trail: S. Mateus do Pico

From Madalena to S. Mateus Sanctuary

This trail takes us from Santa Maria Madalena Church to Bom Jesus Milagroso do Pico Sanctuary in S. Mateus. Besides being a very interesting tourist trail it can also be used by many pilgrims who set out from Madalena to the Sanctuary on foot on the early days of August.
The first half of the trail follows the sea past the stunning Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture which is a World Heritage site since 2004. That part of the trail is always flat and the ground is smooth except near Fogos village. The trail stretches between the sea, with its intense fishing and whale watching activity and the beautiful Faial island on the other side of the “canal”, and the vineyard nestled in the warm and black stone corrals. The imposing Pico Mountain, which is 2,351 metres high from the top of Piquinho, can be seen in the distance provided it is not protected by clouds.
From Candelária on the trail goes up a little to follow half slope through rural and wooded areas past some inhabited spots until São Mateus. Many specimens of the native flora from the Azores can be found on this part of the trail, as well as the landscape of Pico’s southern seas where most whale hunting took place.
The trail is a bit long but almost all on good ground and quite flat at the beginning, getting higher on the second part only till the sanctuary in São Mateus.

Points of Interest (POIs)

SANTA MARIA MADALENA CHURCH

The parish Church of Santa Maria Madalena at the entrance of Madalena village by the sea is the biggest temple of Pico Island.
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THE LANDSCAPE OF THE PICO ISLAND VINEYARD CULTURE

A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture harbours a heritage of unique historical and cultural importance.
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IGREJA DA CANDELÁRIA

The Church of Nossa Senhora das Candeias is situated in the village of Candelária and was founded in 1803. It has one nave only with vestries on both sides at the bottom of the main part of the church, a baptismal font on the gospel side and a tomb on the epistle side.
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SANTUÁRIO DE SÃO MATEUS

The Sanctuary of Bom jesus Milagroso do Pico can be found in São Mateus Church. This church is one of the richest and most magnificent churches in the island.
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