Risco Waterfall

Today we walked to the impressive Risco waterfall and along the Lavada das 25 Fontes. It was just 10.4km including a meagre 340m ascent and 340m descent which doesn’t sound too challenging. However, the ascent/descent part was almost entirely a steep stone staircase with uneven steps and it was very warm walking. 3h45.

Afterwards we continued north by car from the centre of the island to Porto Moniz on the coast. There, we were mesmerised by the power of the waves crashing into the basalt rocks. There were some safe sea water pools for swimming, but once warned it was a bracing experience, we passed and visited the little aquarium instead.

From there we stopped off to see a couple more waterfalls and hugely impressive rock formations in and near the sea, close to Sao Vicente. The swirls in the basalt and large lumps of other rocks within it gave us an indication of the power of the volcano.