Rota da Agua and Janela do Inferno

This route meanders for 15 km (5hrs +) between Remedios and Agua do Pau east of Ponta Delgada, follows old tracks used for water transport, and crosses/follows old bridges, aqueducts, levadas (watercourses) and tunnels. It is often fascinating and often beautiful. See more at https://trails.visitazores.com/en/trails-azores/sao-miguel/rota-da-agua-entre-tuneis-e-condutas

The high point is the Janela do inferno, a rather amazing, intense jungly ravine replete with levada water channels, tunnels and at beautiful spout of water sallying forth from a cliff face. It can be walked as a shorter walk in its own right (7.6km, 3hrs).

Start at a junction near Remedios and climb steadily for the first long half hour up a good track between attractive fields with increasingly good views along the island’s northern slopes.

Then turn off to cross fields, cross one little gorge, feel you way through a rather bizarre tunnel in the middle of a field, then drop into the much bigger gorge, full of ferns and hydrangeas between large trees and levadas and aqueducts, that leads to the waterfall, meaning the Window to Hell as the waterfall appears to emerge from the underworld. It is very reminiscent of Madeira, although nothing like as thrilling at the higher, cliff-cutting levadas there. An interesting and atmospheric meander up to the waterfall.

The return walk follows different tracks to take you back to your start.

See more at https://trails.visitazores.com/en/trails-azores/sao-miguel/rota-da-agua-janela-do-inferno

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For more information and photos, including detailed practical information and some warnings, see our Azores page.