Sao Jorge

Hike Pico Topo

Taxi to the start point and then a 5 km hike upwards along a dirt road built in 1944. On the way up we didn’t do the Montoso Cave which involved ropes and climbing gear. We continued up to Morro Pelado and then to Pico da Esperança (Hope peak -the highest point on Sao Jorge 1053 m). Picnic lunch at Hope Peak and afterwards continued along the road but now downwards towards Norte Grande , here we stopped for an Ice lolly! The final hike down to the Faja was VERY steep and was the only access in 1947. It did have rock steps but was extremely slippery –but it was a much shorter route that the road! Almost at the end a small detour to Simão Dias Pool which had larva columns and niches. The Restaurant at Sea level sold nice cool beers. There are no links to google for this hike since the net for the island only shows contours