PR02 TER Baías da Agualva and T53 Rother (2010 ed) 29-07-2021

This trail represents PR02 TER (which is a one way, waymarked red-yellow),
https://trails.visitazores.com/en/trails-azores/terceira/baias-da-agualva
extended by T53 from Rother (2010 ed) for getting back to the point of origin.
Great coastal views where the blue ocean contrasts with grey basalt columns and black lava rocks.
Parking space for several cars is available at the beginning of our recorded GPS track, but not at the original trailhead of PR02 TER.
You start from the trailhead along a track in between typical Azorean field stone walls flanked by hydrangeas. Then descend through the valley of Grota da Alagoa that at time of walking was dry, but after heavy rainfalls may well turn into a stream. Then you reach Alagoa da Fajãzinha, a flat area near the sea. From the rocky beach at the end of the fajã you climb up to a first viewpoint (Panoramic view 1) with great views along the coast. Continue on a dirt road along the coast until you reach the panoramic viewpoint 2, that already offers first glimpses towards Ponta do Mistério in the northwest, and nearby coves formed by impressive basaltic columns. You continue along a trail until reaching Ponta do Mistério, a cape of vulcanic origin. The PR02 trail ends at the village of Farroco, from where it is easily possible to walk back to the point of origin, which is less than 1 km on the regional road (with some traffic and not much space for walkers).
We extended the walk by following T53 from Rother (2010 ed), which first climbs uphill on a road flanked by cattle pastures, until crossing over a ridge and returning to the point of origin by a dirt road.
Our trail time included about 1.5 h lunch and photo breaks, so actual walking time was around 3 h.