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Touring Terceira’s interior
Terceira’s interior is very rich with volcanic nature attractions, which can be reached on several roads, one of which branches off the main coastal road at the hamlet of Cruzinhas on the southwest coast.
Slowly climbing up the slopes of Serra de Santa Bárbara, this scenic road leads through magnificent landscapes, with Japanese cedars and colourful hydrangea bushes dominating the views on the lower levels. With about 8 kilometres in diameter, this volcanic massif, which once created the western part of the island, encircles the lush green crater of the same name on its southwest side. With 1,021 metres above sea level the island’s highest peak, the volcano of Santa Bárbara marks the southern rim of the Caldeira de Santa Bárbara, which has a diameter of around 2 km, and a depth of only 150 m, with several small volcanic cones protruding from its bottom. A well-indicated asphalted road leads up to the top of the dormant volcano - which was last active in 1867 when the lava streams from a lateral flank badly damaged the village of Serreta - where a beautiful belvedere provides superb panoramic views making it possible to see the outlines of the neighbouring islands Graciosa, São Jorge and Pico on the horizon on clear days. The about 827 m high Pico Rachado marks the northern rim of the caldera and in the north-eastern part of the Serra lies the small and tranquil Lagoa Negra, much visited by migrating birds during the winter. Four small volcanic cones in the southeast of the volcanic massif form the area of the Mistérios Negros, part of it was only created during the eruption of 1761, which explains the rather scarce vegetation in this area. Not suitable for bathing but ideal for picnics and meditation surrounded by beautiful lush green nature and divine tranquillity, the small, idyllic lakes of Lagoa do Negro, below the western flank of the 662 m high Pico Gordo, and Lagoa das Patas, also called Lagoa da Falca, at the bottom of the volcano Santa Barbara on the road near the Pico das Duas, are worthwhile a halt and spending some relaxing time there. Right next to the lake do Negro lies the entrance to the Gruta do Natal, an almost 700 m long, tunnel-like grotto where every year on Christmas day a mass is said, hence the name (‘Natal’ which means Christmas in Portuguese).
The whole region of Serra de Santa Bárbara inclusive the Caldeira de Santa Bárbara, the Mistérios Negros and its lakes form the 1,100 hectares large nature reserve of Florestal Natural da Serra de Santa Bárbara e Mistérios Negros, established for its botanical, scientific and scenic value.
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