Grande Rota

The Santa Maria Great Route completes a 78.6-kilometre circuit of the island in four ordered stages. Across roughly 28 and a half walking hours, it links Vila do Porto, Cardal, Norte and Bananeiras before returning to the municipal centre. Its circular form comes from the combined stages rather than from a continuous single-day walk; each section has its own endpoint and requires accommodation, supplies and logistics.

Stage one passes Forte de São Brás, the marine fossils of Pedreira do Campo, Grutas do Figueiral and Praia Formosa before continuing through Malbusca and Ribeira de Maloás to Cardal. Stage two rounds Ponta do Castelo, Maia and Cascata do Aveiro, crosses Santo Espírito and descends the terraced vineyards of São Lourenço before Norte. Stage three visits Santa Bárbara, Poço da Pedreira and Cai’Água, climbs 587-metre Pico Alto and descends through forest to Bananeiras.

The final stage brings together Baía do Raposo, the red clay of Barreiro da Faneca, viewpoints at Monte Gordo and Ponta dos Frades, Anjos and the memory of Columbus’s visit. It then follows the airport perimeter, crosses Ribeira Seca and returns through Malmerendo to Vila do Porto. A medium rating disguises the cumulative demands of distance, exposed coast and spaced services. The route provides an island-wide reading of the geology, farming, bays and communities of the Azores’ oldest island.

Complete the stages in their established order. On day one, follow Vila do Porto–Praia Formosa–Malbusca–Cardal for 17.1 kilometres. Day two covers Cardal–Ponta do Castelo–Maia–Santo Espírito–São Lourenço–Norte over 21.5 kilometres. Stage three links Norte with Santa Bárbara, Pico Alto and Bananeiras in 16.5 kilometres. Finish with 23.5 kilometres through Baía do Raposo, Barreiro da Faneca, Anjos, the airport perimeter and Malmerendo to Vila do Porto. Confirm accommodation and supplies before each departure. Use each stage's published duration to set the departure time and always keep a daylight margin for delays, breaks and signed branches.