Official trailPR39SMI
HIKING · MIGUEL™ PREMIUM
Quatro Fábricas da Luz
A short route telling a larger story: the early development of electricity generation from São Miguel’s renewable resources.
PR39SMI connects former facilities, reservoirs, power-station ruins, Cascata do Segredo, Poço dos 30 Reis and the Núcleo Museológico da Electricidade.
See this hike with Miguel™
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Photo informationPhoto: DHT Azores · DHT internal
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Photo informationPhoto: DHT Azores · DHT internal
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Photo informationPhoto: DHT Azores · DHT internal
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Photo informationPhoto: DHT Azores · DHT internal
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Photo informationPhoto: DHT Azores · DHT internal
Distance2,1 km
Duration1h30
DifficultyEasy
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
TerrainRiver, Forest, Heritage
ExposureSheltered
PanoramaModerate
Miguel™ effort1/5
Access from the area~35 min from Ponta Delgada
Expert reading
How to read the trail
PR39SMI follows Ribeira da Praia through key sites in São Miguel’s electrification history. Starting at Parque Escutista dos Lagos, it passes the reservoir, the former Fábricas da Cidade and da Vila, Cascata do Segredo and finishes at the Núcleo Museológico da Eletricidade – Fábrica da Praia.
Best for
A short, easy outing combining river scenery, waterfalls and the history of hydroelectric power on São Miguel.
When to pass
If you are looking for a long or circular hike: PR39SMI is a short linear route of 2.1 km.
When Miguel recommends it
Miguel recommends this route when the aim is a short, easy outing with a strong heritage component, especially when you want to spend less time walking without giving up a meaningful discovery of São Miguel.
Trail logistics
2.1 km, around 1h30, linear and easy. Start at Parque Escutista dos Lagos in Água d’Alto. A prior booking with EDA Renováveis is recommended if you want to visit the operating facilities, subject to the official visitor arrangements.
PLACE · LANDSCAPE · EXPERIENCE
Why this place deserves a place in your itinerary
PR39SMI connects former facilities, reservoirs, power-station ruins, Cascata do Segredo, Poço dos 30 Reis and the Núcleo Museológico da Electricidade. PR39SMI is easy, 2.1 km and about 1 hour 30 minutes, with strong heritage content.
Official data list easy difficulty, 2.1 km and about 1 hour 30 minutes. It tells the story of early electricity production and distribution using renewable resources. Walking the route and visiting operating facilities are separate activities.
Official information states that facility visits require an appointment with EDA Renováveis.
ON SITE
Time, effort and route reality
That duration refers to the route.
Former hydroelectric facilities
PR39SMI connects former facilities, reservoirs, power-station ruins, Cascata do Segredo, Poço dos 30 Reis and the Núcleo Museológico da Electricidade.
A short and easy trail
Official data list easy difficulty, 2.1 km and about 1 hour 30 minutes.
The history of electricity in the Azores
It tells the story of early electricity production and distribution using renewable resources.
Heritage revealed by the route
PR39SMI is easy, 2.1 km and about 1 hour 30 minutes, with strong heritage content.
CHOOSING YOUR VISIT
What to understand before you go
Walking the route and visiting operating facilities are separate activities. Official information states that facility visits require an appointment with EDA Renováveis.
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 compare this hike with the available conditions and the place-specific parameters when you decide.
CONDITIONS
A short walk, but not only a scenic one
PR39SMI is a 2.1 km linear route, listed at about 1 hour 30 and easy difficulty. Its main interest is the industrial heritage linked to electricity production: reservoirs, industrial remains, a waterfall and former equipment are part of the route.