PRC04 FLO Fajã de Lopo Vaz (extended from Lajes das Flores) 19-07-2019

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Photo ofPRC04 FLO Fajã de Lopo Vaz (extended from Lajes das Flores) 19-07-2019

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uwahl

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Trail stats

Distance: 5.7 mi
Elevation gain: 1,617 ft
Technical difficulty: Moderate
Elevation loss: 1,617 ft
Max elevation: 831 ft
TrailRank: 49
Min elevation: 42 ft
Trail type: Loop

Time: 5 hours 4 minutes
Coordinates: 837
Uploaded: April 20, 2022
Recorded: July 2019

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near Lajes das Flores, Açores (Portugal)

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Itinerary description

9 km extended version of the official PRC4 FLO trail (3.4 km), whose description and GPS coordinates can be downloaded from
https://trails.visitazores.com/en/trails-azores/flores/faja-de-lopo-vaz
The official PRC4 FLO starts at the picnic site above Fajã de Lopo Vaz. We extended the trail by starting and ending at the parking space in front of the lighthouse of Lajes das Flores, thus exploring a bit the village and the landscape towards the coast.
On the other hand, we visited only the beginning of the Fajã which reaches still some 500 m beyond the end of the beach, so that 1 km could be added, exploring all of the Fajã.
The trail presents no particular difficulties, except the descent to and ascent from the Fajã, which is steep (240 m height on 1500 m path length) but not vertiginous.
Our trail time includes a 45 min lunch break at the picnic site.

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Waypoints

Photo ofFarol das Lajes das Flores (Lighthouse)

Farol das Lajes das Flores (Lighthouse)

Lighthouse of Lajes das Flores. The similar looking houses next to it are the former living quarters of a now defunct Naval Radio Station (1938-1994) at Lajes.

Old stone bridge Ribeira do Loureiro

On the way out of the village you pass this old stone bridge next to the current road.

Morro Fonte

Next to this fountain you leave the tarmac road and continue on an old trail through the fields. If it should be too overgrown, you can continue on the road.

View over Lajes 1

At this point the trail you followed reaches the tarmac road again. You have nice views over Lajes das Flores with its lighthouse, and quite likely nearby some cute farm animals.

View over Lajes 2

From here you have more good views towards the lighthouse at Lajes.

Coastal Cliffs View

These are the edges of the coastal cliffs above Fajã de Lopo Vaz.

Parque de Merendas da Fajã de Lopo Vaz (picnic)

This shady picnic site invites you to make a break.

Miradouro da Fajã de Lopo Vaz

Before descending to the Fajã, enjoy the panoramic views from the viewpoint next to the stone cross.

Virgem Maria

On your way down you pass a small statue of the Virgin Mary.

Viewpoint over Fajã Lopo Vaz 1

From this viewpoint you can see the full extension of the Fajã, which finds its end at the bottom of a steep cliff.

Viewpoint over Fajã Lopo Vaz 2

Viewpoint just before reaching the bottom of the Fajã.

Fajã Lopo Vaz

View back up the cliff that you just descended.

Praia Faja de Lopo Vaz

Down at the beach of the Faja. During our visit, the beach was covered with literally thousands of "Caravelas Portuguesas" (Portuguese Man o' War) jellyfish, in various states of decomposition. Apparently the year 2019 was the most widespread occurrence of these venomous creatures on the Azores in many decades.

Museu das Lajes das Flores

On your way back you pass the municipal museum of Lajes das Flores

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