Entre a Serra e o Mar

Entre a Serra e o Mar crosses the rural landscape around Santa Bárbara in north-eastern Santa Maria, alternating valleys, streams, pasture and small traces of traditional land use. From the parish church, the circuit approaches Covão da Mula, an area associated with clay, then enters the Lagos valley. Crossing Ribeira do Amaro leads towards the hamlet of Norte and the chapel of Nossa Senhora de Lurdes.

A signed spur provides a view over São Lourenço Bay before the walk reaches Poço da Pedreira, a former extraction area now defined by exposed rock. Windmill ruins and farm tracks accompany the return through Canada dos Atoleiros to Santa Bárbara. The sequence of religious heritage, rural structures and viewpoints illustrates the relationship between inland communities and the coast. Within a moderate circuit, walkers encounter several environments characteristic of the island’s eastern sector.

Poço da Pedreira and the ruined windmills also represent two ways of using local resources: extracting stone and harnessing wind. Their proximity turns the circuit into a compact reading of Santa Bárbara’s productive landscape, while the chapel and coastal viewpoint add the spiritual and maritime references that shaped the parish.

Start at Santa Bárbara church and follow the route towards Covão da Mula and the Lagos valley. Cross Ribeira do Amaro at the marked point, then continue to Norte and the chapel of Nossa Senhora de Lurdes. Take the signed spur for the view over São Lourenço, return to the main line and proceed past Poço da Pedreira and the windmill ruins. Canada dos Atoleiros leads back to the village. After the windmill ruins, take Canada dos Atoleiros to complete the loop without retracing the outward section.