Grande Rota de São Jorge (Este)

The eastern Grande Rota de São Jorge links the island’s eastern end with Fajã dos Cubres in a crossing divided into two stages. The first leaves Topo near the lighthouse, passes through the town and follows plateau and coast before entering the long succession of slopes and fajãs on the south side. Fajã de São João and Lourais mark the westward progression before arrival at Fajã dos Vimes, where agriculture occupies land beneath the cliff.

The second stage would continue from Fajã dos Vimes towards the northern fajãs and Cubres, but it is closed. Across the complete line, the grand route alternates volcanic cones on the plateau, rural tracks, steep slopes, streams and small coastal platforms. Repeated changes between altitude and sea reveal how settlement and cultivation adapted to a narrow, deeply indented island. Connections with shorter walking trails broaden the itinerary, but they also require careful attention to route codes and the condition of each section.

Topo, Fajã de São João, Lourais and Vimes are essential anchors on the open stage. The distance between them turns the walk into a sequence of lived places rather than a purely scenic connection and helps hikers organise pauses and supplies without leaving the marked line. Their different elevations also make the route’s changes easy to follow.

On the currently open stage, leave Topo beside the lighthouse, cross the town and follow waymarks west over plateau and coast. Continue through Fajã de São João and Lourais to finish at Fajã dos Vimes. The second stage would leave Vimes and continue to Fajã dos Cubres, but it must not be started while closed. Arrange transport, food and accommodation, and check route codes where shorter trails overlap. Within each settlement, relocate the GR01SJO waymarks before continuing into the next section of the stage.