Official trailPR2PIC
HIKING · MIGUEL™ PREMIUM
Caminho dos Burros – Vertente Norte
An old route through Pico’s endemic vegetation, descending from the central plateau towards Baía de Canas.
PR02PIC begins near the Lagoas road on the central plateau. The official trail is linear, medium difficulty, 8.9 km and about 3h30. It crosses endemic vegetation and can continue towards Baía de Canas or São Miguel Arcanjo.
See this hike with Miguel™Distance8,9 km
Duration3h30
Difficultymoderee
Trail typeLinear
PREMIUM HIKING MIGUEL™
Technical reading of the trail
A technical reading of the trail based on Miguel™ Hiking criteria: route, terrain, exposure, relief, effort and decision conditions.
Technical profile
Elevation gain/loss+30 m / -860 m
Altitude3–830 m
TerrainMountain, Forest, Coast
ExposureMixed
PanoramaHigh
Access from the area~30 min from Madalena
Expert reading
How to read the trail
Official PR2PIC trail (8.9 km, linear, about 3h30, moderate difficulty) starting from the central plateau near Caminho das Lagoas (830 m altitude) and descending to Baía das Canas, on Pico's north coast.
Best for
For hikers wanting to descend from the forested central plateau to an isolated bay on the north coast, away from the coastal vineyard trails.
When to pass
Without an arranged return: the trail does not loop and descends far from the starting point, on the plateau at 830 m altitude.
When Miguel recommends it
Miguel recommends this trail over the three vineyard trails (PR5PIC, PR10PIC, PR1PIC) when the goal is the contrast of highland forest followed by wild coastline rather than vineyard heritage, and over Lagoa do Capitão when you want a real hike down to the sea rather than a roadside stop.
Trail logistics
8.9 km, about 3h30, moderate difficulty, strong downhill profile (about 830 m of descent). Starts near Caminho das Lagoas on the central plateau, ends at Baía das Canas: arranging a way back is essential, the trail does not loop and the endpoint is isolated.
PLACE · LANDSCAPE · EXPERIENCE
A descent from Pico’s highlands
The atmosphere changes during the descent: plateau, dense vegetation, narrower paths and finally routes towards the coast.
An old route through Pico’s endemic vegetation, descending from the central plateau towards Baía de Canas.
The official information gives 8.9 km, medium difficulty and about 3h30. PR02PIC starts on Pico's central plateau near Caminho das Lagoas, then descends through denser vegetation where the endemic Euphorbia stygiana and stretches of sphagnum can be seen. The official route is 8.9 km long and takes about 3 h 30.
ON SITE
A forested route rather than a vineyard route
An old route from plateau to coast
An old route through Pico’s endemic vegetation, descending from the central plateau towards Baía de Canas.
The PR02PIC and its route
PR02PIC starts on Pico's central plateau near Caminho das Lagoas, then descends through denser vegetation where the endemic Euphorbia stygiana and stretches of sphagnum can be seen.
A descent through changing landscapes
The atmosphere changes during the descent: plateau, dense vegetation, narrower paths and finally routes towards the coast.
Distance, difficulty and duration
The official trail is linear, medium difficulty, 8.9 km and about 3h30.
CHOOSING YOUR VISIT
Decide with Miguel™
The official information gives 8.9 km, medium difficulty and about 3h30.
MARIA™
Plan your trip with Maria™
Plan my trip with Maria™ →Maria™ can integrate Caminho dos Burros – Vertente Norte into your trip while taking into account your available time, overall pace and other possible stops.
MIGUEL™
Decide on site with Miguel™
Decide today with Miguel™ →Miguel™ can compare this hike with the available conditions and the place-specific parameters when you decide.
CONDITIONS
When conditions matter
The official information gives 8.9 km, medium difficulty and about 3h30.