Serra do Topo - Caldeira de Santo Cristo - Fajã dos Cubres

Serra do Topo–Caldeira de Santo Cristo–Fajã dos Cubres descends from São Jorge’s uplands to two fajãs defined by coastal lagoons. Leaving near the wind farm, a dirt track enters endemic vegetation and reaches a shelter before the long descent. Caldeira de Cima, the Tia Júlia bridge and a spur to Cascata Pequena punctuate the route towards springs and the first views over Caldeira de Santo Cristo.

Within the fajã, the sanctuary and interpretation centre stand near a lagoon known for clams and birds associated with its wetland environment. The coastal path continues towards Fajã do Belo through a landscape dominated by cliff and old access routes. Cables installed along sections of the track precede Fajã dos Cubres, where another lagoon and the church mark the finish. The walk combines upland forest, fresh water, waterfall, steep slope and coast, revealing the dramatic transition from plateau to small habitable surfaces beside the sea.

The two lagoons occupy different settings: Santo Cristo appears after the mountain descent, while Cubres marks the conclusion of the coastal section. Walking between them allows comparison of two nearby fajãs and shows how cliff, freshwater and coastal deposits define these habitats. The passage through Fajã do Belo provides the physical link between the two.

Leave from the Serra do Topo wind farm and follow the dirt track through endemic vegetation to the shelter. Descend through Caldeira de Cima, cross the Tia Júlia bridge and, if desired, take the marked spur to Cascata Pequena. Continue by the springs to Caldeira de Santo Cristo, pass the sanctuary, centre and lagoon, then proceed through Fajã do Belo and the cable-assisted sections to Fajã dos Cubres. Arrange transport at the finish. At Fajã do Belo, keep to the marked coastal line until signs for Cubres become visible again.