Landscape
The result is a landscape in which the village sits directly beneath a much larger relief.
FLORES · WEST COAST
Fajã Grande
A village beneath the cliffs, between waterfalls, coastline and hiking routes.
Fajã Grande occupies a large fajã on the west coast of Flores, beneath Rocha da Fajã. The village, Poço do Bacalhau and the trails linking the central plateau to the coast offer several very different ways to experience this part of the island.
Decide whether Fajã Grande fits today
Photo informationPhoto: José Luís Ávila Silveira/Pedro Noronha e Costa · Public domainWikimedia Commons source
Time neededA short visit or several hours with a hike
AccessWest coast of Flores, with Fajã Grande as the end or starting point for several routes
Difficultyeasy
PLACE · LANDSCAPE · EXPERIENCE
The story, identity and landscape of the place
Fajã Grande stretches across a large fajã on the west coast. Inland, Rocha da Fajã forms a huge escarpment that exceeds 600 m in some places; towards the sea, the coastline is low and deeply indented. The result is a landscape in which the village sits directly beneath a much larger relief.
The cliffs of western Flores carry numerous waterfalls and feed several natural pools. Poço do Bacalhau, at the foot of Fajã Grande, is one of the area's best-known landmarks. Fajã Grande is especially interesting because it connects several landscapes: the coast, former fajãs, steep cliffs and the central plateau. The hiking routes change the scale of the experience, particularly when arriving from the plateau lakes or from Lajedo.
The large west-coast fajã is dominated by Rocha da Fajã, with cliffs, vegetation, water and low coastline shaping the view. PR02FLO links Lajedo to Fajã Grande over 13.2 km, around 3 h 30 and medium difficulty.
ON SITE
What you will actually discover
The village and coastline can be explored without a hike. The trails require more time and closer attention to ground conditions, especially after rain.
Hiking
PR03FLO links the Lagoas viewpoint to Poço do Bacalhau over about 7 km, with hard difficulty and around 3 h.
Waterfalls
Poço do Bacalhau lies at the end of PR03FLO, beneath the cliff. Water levels and local conditions matter both for the visit and for the trails.
Viewpoints
PR03FLO gives a gradual reading of the landscape, from the central plateau lakes down towards Fajã Grande and its coastal escarpment.
CHOOSING YOUR VISIT
What kind of Fajã Grande do you want to discover?
With limited time, Fajã Grande can be explored around the village, coastline and Poço do Bacalhau. With several hours available, the hiking routes reveal a very different scale of the territory.
PR02FLO reaches Fajã Grande from Lajedo, passing through Fajãzinha and Mosteiro. PR03FLO descends from the central plateau towards Poço do Bacalhau; its route includes a section near Lagoa Branca that is described as often flooded and muddy. Ground conditions therefore matter.
PR01FLO between Ponta Delgada and Fajã Grande is currently listed as a closed trail on the official Azores Trails portal. It should not be presented as an available option without checking the current status.
MARIA™
Plan your trip with Maria™
Plan my trip with Maria™Maria™ can place Fajã Grande inside a Flores itinerary while taking the other western landscapes and the overall pace of the trip into account.
MIGUEL™
Decide on the ground with Miguel™
Decide today with Miguel™Miguel™ can weigh Fajã Grande against current conditions, the time you actually have and alternatives on Flores. A short visit and a hike do not have the same constraints.
CONDITIONS
When conditions matter
Rain and ground conditions become especially important once you leave the village for the trails. PR03FLO specifically notes a section near Lagoa Branca that can be flooded and muddy. Checking current conditions before setting out is therefore essential.