After staying close to the coast for the last few days, we made it towards the center of the island today and the mountainous interior.

By bus we were heading up and up and up – until we eventually hit the parking lot at Achada do Texeira – 1592m above sea level. We left the bus behind, to start the 3.5km hike (one-way) towards and up to the peak of Pico Ruivo, sitting at 1862m. With the weather being perfect, we enjoyed great views of the island and out to the Atlantic Ocean; the incoming clouds added to the atmosphere.

On the way out we passed by a mountain hut – and made it straight for the peak (enjoying the views – and hating the pilot of the drone, disturbing the experience), before heading back to the hut for a coffee break – from here it was back to the parking lot following the trail, we already had used for the way in.

Back on the bus, we made it down a few kilometers on ER 218 for another short hike, this time following the Levada do Caldeirão Verde. This one did not have the great views of the previous mountain hike – so felt rather dull. The hike culminated at the Parque das Queimadas, where a cafe was waiting for us – with some of the best (and most potent) passion fruit poncha of the full trip.