Costa Norte

Costa Norte crosses 8.4 kilometres between Bananeiras and Anjos through some of Santa Maria’s most distinctive geological landscapes. Near the start, Baía do Raposo contains mill ruins, water channels and former vineyard plots in a valley descending to the sea. Water and cultivation left a network of modest built features now framed by vegetation and cliffs.

The route then climbs to Barreiro da Faneca, known for red, clay-rich, almost bare ground that contrasts strongly with the island’s green fields. Signed branches reach viewpoints such as Ponta do Pinheiro and Cré, revealing the north coast, bays and eroded formations. At Monte Gordo, a former whale lookout adds maritime memory before the crossing continues towards Ponta dos Frades and Lemos.

Arrival in Anjos brings together the small chapel, harbour and the tradition associated with Christopher Columbus’s visit to Santa Maria. This medium linear route takes around four hours and combines hydraulic heritage, vineyards, geosites and navigation history without losing the continuity of the coast. Transport must be planned because it finishes in another village. Barreiro da Faneca and its viewpoints are fragile environments where staying with the waymarks is an essential part of the visit.

Leave Bananeiras and take the signed branch descending to Baía do Raposo, then return to the main crossing. Climb into Barreiro da Faneca and cross the geosite only on marked paths, using solely the indicated branches to Ponta do Pinheiro and Cré. Continue to Monte Gordo and the former lookout, then follow the coast through Ponta dos Frades and Lemos to Anjos. The route finishes around the chapel and harbour, so arrange return transport. Allow about four hours for the 8.4-kilometre crossing and keep a margin of daylight to the finish, including time for signed branches and stops.