Altos dos Cedros and Ponta das Trombetas

This easy coastal-and-village walk on Pico covers about 8.7 to 9 km (5.4 to 5.6 miles) with roughly 200 m (656 ft) of ascent, linking the hamlet of Terra Alta in Ribeirinha to the fishing quay at Calhau in Piedade. The route is known officially as a linear trail and is generally walked downhill overall, though it includes several short rises and dips that make the total climbing feel a little more than the profile first suggests. Official trail information places the start on the regional road in Terra Alta, in the parish of Ribeirinha, and the finish at the Quay of Calhau near Ponta das Trombetas. (azoresislandstrails.com)

The opening section drops away from the road through a green corridor of pittosporum, fire tree, Azores laurel, and holly. After about 1 km (0.6 mi), a short detour leads to the Alto dos Cedros viewpoint, one of the key landmarks on the walk. From here, the north coast of Pico opens out and, on a clear day, there are broad views across the channel to São Jorge. This early viewpoint is one of the best places to pause, check weather movement over the ocean, and get a sense of the terrain ahead. (azoresislandstrails.com)

What the route feels like

Much of the middle part of the hike threads together old local lanes, or canadas, through Ribeirinha. These are quiet rural passages between small fields, houses, and pockets of vegetation, giving the walk a strong cultural character rather than the feel of a remote mountain trail. The route then reaches the Baixa quay area, where you can rest by the sea before continuing. Official trail notes describe this section as passing through the center of Ribeirinha and down to the quay of Baixa, followed by about 1 km (0.6 mi) along the seafront road before the trail turns back onto narrower footpaths. (azoresislandstrails.com)

From Baixa, the trail becomes more varied. A narrow path lined with Azores heather climbs back to a road, then after roughly 400 m (0.25 mi) the route turns again toward Ponta das Trombetas. This final approach is one of the most distinctive parts of the walk: the path heads toward the coast and finishes over dark volcanic rock above the sea before reaching Calhau. Expect uneven footing here, especially if the rock is damp, salt-sprayed, or polished by use. Even on an easy-rated route, this is the section where hikers should slow down most. (azoresislandstrails.com)

Landmarks, scenery, and wildlife

The standout landmarks are Alto dos Cedros viewpoint, the Baixa waterfront, Ponta das Trombetas, and the small port at Calhau. Ponta das Trombetas is a rocky coastal headland in the parish of Piedade, and the approach across black basalt gives the end of the hike a dramatic volcanic character. The contrast between inland greenery and the exposed lava coast is one of the route’s main appeals. (mapcarta.com)

Vegetation along the route includes both native and introduced species. Official descriptions mention Azores laurel, holly, Azores heather, fire tree, and pittosporum. In practical terms, that means shaded stretches early on, more open village scenery through the middle, and low coastal vegetation near the end. Birdlife can be active around hedgerows, pasture edges, and sea cliffs, and the ocean-facing sections may reward patient walkers with seabird sightings depending on season and conditions. Because the trail moves between settled land and exposed coast, weather can shift quickly from calm and warm to windy and damp. (azoresislandstrails.com)

Historical significance of the area

This walk passes through a part of Pico shaped by both settlement history and the island’s volcanic landscape. Lajes do Pico is the oldest municipality on the island, and local history records that settlement of Pico began around 1460. The municipality is also known for its strong whaling tradition, which left a lasting cultural imprint across the eastern side