RANDONNÉE DE LOMBADAS

This hike, presented by a rather incongruous wooden panel at the outlet of the village, is 12 km long: 4 hours of regular walking.

You must follow the red and yellow terminals. It is not particularly difficult, apart from the rise of the beginning, but, given the state of the ground, it is reserved for those who do not fear a little adventure or dizzy. We climb up to Monte Escuro at 880 m altitude. In fact, the trail bypasses the Lombadas Valley; You must first maneuver along the river and then follow the pickets and then climb on the right shortly afterwards. The climb can be dangerous because slippery, especially if it rained just before; The trail is sometimes narrow but rather well indicated, and it's pretty difficult to get lost if you're doing some bit of attention. Sometimes you have to cling with his hands but nothing very serious. beware, however, grass tufts are easy to escape! Soon, we won a kind of ridge line, in a fantastic and desolate setting, resembling these chaotic rocks where endemic vegetation abounds.

There are no other noises than those of natural elements, no human construction in sight. The landscape is unique on the island to deserve a long time.

Then you reach another ridge line, following the little path that is always obvious; walking is easy now, the hardest has passed. The panorama of Lagoa do Fogo on the other side of Viewpoints is striking; some goats font their bells on occasion, fleeing before us: we could stay for hours to meditate so if the wind, sometimes violent, did not invite us to continue our path. In very nice weather, even if there is not a defined area, you will be thought to be picnic (and to bring everything back with you, of course).

The trail then continues along the lake, and then without great difficulty, until the summit of the route, Monte Escuro, emitting still so stunning views on the farouche and torn valley. We win the municipal road that leads to Ribeira Grande, that one takes a moment in the direction of the descent, until the deviation towards Lombadas taken earlier by car. It is time to join the car.

It is obvious that in the event of bad weather we will not be able to take this hike, first because we will see nothing, then because the trail may prove very dangerous.

If you want to change your mood or are not motorized, it is possible to combine this hiking with another, which descends from the lake to Praia, near Vila Franca; magnificent ocean views in perspective. On the other hand, check the state of the way before committing yourself (to the tourist office, for example, or, better, a travel agency): Angry rains sometimes hit in the corner can seriously damage it and prevent you from moving forward.