Garajau

Garajau is a circuit around Furna and the slopes of Santo António. It begins beside the natural pools almost at sea level, then climbs dirt tracks and old ox-cart lanes. Wheel ruts worn by repeated transport remain visible in rock and ground. These rural routes lead into the parish interior, where vineyards, farm buildings and views toward Pico Mountain become part of the walk.

On the descent, the trail approaches Santo António church and returns to the coastal strip. The fossil cliff between Santo António and São Roque, together with basalt lava flows, creates a landscape of outcrops, caves and small islets. Vegetation includes Azorean heather, whitewood, sharp rush and rock samphire, all adapted to salt and wind exposure. This coastal mosaic is also important to Cory's shearwaters, terns, gulls and pigeons.

The final sector crosses the protected Furnas de Santo António area and returns to the natural pools, with views toward São Jorge. Despite its circular form and moderate distance, the walk alternates a rural ascent with exposed coastline. Its interest comes from the close relationship between old transport lanes, lava geology, maritime vegetation and bird habitat within a compact landscape around Furna.

Begin at the Furna natural pools in Santo António and follow the circular markings uphill on dirt tracks and old lanes. Remain with the waymarks through rural ground and across the wheel-rutted sections. The route reaches the upper part of the parish and then begins descending, passing near Santo António church. Continue toward the coast and enter the fossil-cliff and Furnas de Santo António sector, where the path passes outcrops, caves and small islets without leaving the marked strip. The circuit returns to the natural pools along the coastal section. Start and finish coincide, so a vehicle can be left in the Furna area without arranging a transfer.