Rota da Água

This route in the Nasce Água area, on the edge of Angra do Heroísmo, is built entirely around water: it starts near the ruins of five of the more than forty watermills that once worked the Ribeira dos Moinhos channel, and climbs the southern slope of Serra do Morião, part of the rim of the Caldeira de Guilherme Moniz.

Further up, in a restricted-access area, the route follows how rain falling inside the caldera becomes groundwater on the outer slope, captured, treated and piped to the city. Near the Mãe-de-Água spring sits one of three mini-hydroelectric plants in Angra, and midway up the slope a regulating tank collects water from the Furna d'Água and Cabrito springs. The route also passes the Cruzeiro da Serra da Costaneira monument before reaching the top of Serra do Morião, with wide views over Angra, Monte Brasil and the south coast; the way back follows the same path, with one short detour partway down.

It's a medium route of about 4.2 km, climbing roughly 350 m up the slope and the same back down; the surface is prone to becoming slick, so take extra care and wear suitable footwear, especially after rain.