Pico Branco e Terra Chã

This trail will lead you to one of the compulsory trails on the island of Porto Santo.
It is a relatively fast track, which allows the traveler who visits the island of Porto Santo, on a daily program of plane or boat from the island of Madeira, explore the island, enjoy the magnificent sandy beach, or have a golf swing, while waiting for the return transport.
The area is part of Natura 2000.
The trail begins at regional road E.R.111. Following the path that will give access to the topof Pico Branco, we come across a huge prismatic formation in which the footpath itself wascarved - Rocha Quebrada.
The steepest part of the route is lined with a fence of heather. The climb ends in a rock fissure at Crista do Cabeço.
The area of the Terra Chã integrates the European network of Sites of Community Interest -Natura 2000 Habitats Directive, for presenting the existence of endemic flora and fauna (terrestrial molluscs - snails).
This is the site of the island of Porto Santo where it was registered the largest number of indigenous and best preserved flora, because it is protected by steep topography, in hardly accessible cliffs. The indigenous vegetation is mostly grass and shrubs.
Here we can find two species of seabirds as Cory's Shearwater (Calonectrisdiomedea borealis) and the Common Tern (Sterna hirundo).
In Terra Chã there is a recently restored stone house with the purpose of supporting the spread of endemic plants, their reintroduction into the environment and scientific studies.
Underneath Terra Chã is Furna dos Homiziados (Cave of the fugitives), a former hideout for outlaws, where according to tradition, many people hid as fugitives of the law and from piracy assaults by the Algerians. Legend has it that one of those emergencies, the ceiling of the cave fell, burying those who were there.
The many natural vantage points offered by this pathway provides a glimpse of much of the island of Porto Santo:
Calhau da Serra de Dentro, Pico do Concelho, Ilhéu de Cima, Pico do Maçarico, Portela, Rocha de Nossa Senhora, Pico Ana Ferreira, Espigão dos Morenos, Calheta, Ilhéu de Baixo.
This trail was built on purpose for the passage of loaded donkeys when the locals sowed barley on Terra Chã. The Return is done on the same path.