Judas’ Ass (Cu de Judas in Portuguese) is an uninhabited mountainous area with a very peculiar name. Although this location exists on the oldest maps of the Azorean archipelago, over the years it has been forgotten and excluded from the most modern maps — but that all changed in 2021.
In 2021, Dott, a Portuguese e-commerce brand, created a marketing campaign that put Judas’ Ass in the “mouths of the world”. This campaign aimed to put this place back on the map through the petition “Help us put Judas’ Ass on the map!”.
Today, thanks to the petition signed by more than 6,000 Portuguese, Judas’ Ass is back on the map and even has a postcode! So, in this article, take the opportunity to learn about the history of this place and other points of tourist interest in the surrounding region.
What is Judas’ Ass?
Judas’ Ass is a mountainous site located near the Água Retorta Forest Park, in the parish of Água Retorta, between the municipalities of Povoação and Nordeste, in São Miguel, Azores.
Quick Info
Nowadays, you can find Judas’ Ass on modern maps using the postcode 9650-007 in the Waze and Google Maps applications.
Despite being an area full of vegetation, with no inhabitants and no apparent tourist attractions, Judas’ Ass has become a well-known point of interest on the island.
As a result of Dott’s campaign, thousands of curious people take the opportunity to visit this beautiful place full of picturesque landscapes and to photograph the iconic “Cu de Judas” sign.
History: Origin of the Expression “Cu de Judas”
The expression “Cu de Judas” originated in the popular Portuguese language and means “distant place” or “end of the world”. In this sense, as this town is located in a remote and isolated area of the island, navigators began to call this slope by the name we know today — Judas’ Ass.
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Best Time to Visit Judas’ Ass
Due to its location, temperatures in São Miguel are mild all year round. However, in the winter months, periods of rain and lower temperatures become more frequent.
In this sense, the best time to visit Judas’ Ass is usually between May and September, when the days are sunny and more inviting for nature walks. Remember that this town is situated on a beautiful hillside.
However, it’s important to note that cloudy skies are a common feature of all the islands in the archipelago, so sometimes you may find it difficult to appreciate the true splendour of some viewpoints in this region.
How to Get to Judas’ Ass
As mentioned above, Judas’ Ass is located in the parish of Água Retorta, near the municipalities of Povoação and Nordeste. In this sense, you can travel from either of these councils to your destination.
Leaving Povoação in the direction of Judas’ Ass, you should take the EN1-1A, where you will have to travel about 10 km. The journey takes approximately 14 minutes by car, 25 minutes by bus, 1 hour by bicycle, or 2 hours and 14 minutes on foot.
However, from the Nordeste towards Judas’ Ass, you will have to travel 16.5 km via the EN1-1A. The journey takes approximately 25 minutes by car, 50 minutes by bus, 1 hour and 35 minutes by bicycle, or 3 hours and 35 minutes on foot.
What to Do Around Judas’ Ass?
After learning about the event that put “Cu de Judas” on the world’s lips and getting to know this beautiful mountainous area, it’s time to explore other points of tourist interest in the region.
In the vicinity of Judas’ Ass, we find Nordeste and Povoação. So you can take advantage of your stay on the island of São Miguel to visit, for example, the Arnel Lighthouse, the Ponta do Sossego Viewpoint, Faial da Terra and the Agrião Trail.
Explore the Arnel Lighthouse
The Arnel Lighthouse, also known as the Ponta do Arnel Lighthouse, was built at the end of the 19th century by António Alves de Oliveira, the well-known “Northeast Worker”. It is now considered a heritage landmark in the municipality of Nordeste.
Over the years, the Arnel Lighthouse has undergone various improvements and adaptations, which have allowed it to remain up-to-date and capable of carrying out its maritime signalling functions for all traffic sailing in Azorean waters.
In addition to its basic functions, the lighthouse offers visitors a permanent exhibition on the lighthouses of the Azores — an excellent opportunity to learn about the ancestors and history of the place from the lighthouse keepers.
Watching the Sunrise from the Ponta do Sossego Viewpoint
The Ponta do Sossego viewpoint — in addition to the neighbouring Ponta da Madrugada — is very popular for watching the sunrise. Locals and travellers alike rush to the East Coast to watch this spectacle of nature.
When the sun rises and fills the sky with incredible colours, it always wins us over! The sun burning like a huge flame over the ocean in the first minutes of the day is an iconic sight that everyone should see once.
Some people sleep in their car in the car park for this special event. Others drive at 5 am to make sure they don’t miss the sunrise.
Visit Faial da Terra
Faial da Terra, also known locally as “Presépio da Ilha”, is a parish in the municipality of Povoação on the island of São Miguel with around 350 inhabitants who live essentially from farming.
This parish has many particularities. These include:
- Fertile land;
- Proximity to the sea;
- Proximity to São Miguel’s main bathing areas.
It is estimated that, at the beginning of the 16th century, this was one of the first places to be settled on the island.
During your visit to Faial da Terra, take the opportunity to discover the wonderful Salto do Prego Trail, the unforgettable Aldeia do Sanguinho and the imposing Salto do Prego Waterfall.
Take the Agrião Hiking Trail
The Agrião Walking Trail is a linear route, starting at Porto da Ribeira Quente and heading towards the mountains. It takes an average of 4 hours to complete.
During the walk, you’ll be able to observe the various endemic species of the surrounding forest and contemplate the view over Tronqueira and Graminhais from the viewpoints you’ll find along the way.
This is an activity you can’t miss on your itinerary if you want to explore nature. The Agrião Trail has a lot to see and appreciate and is of medium difficulty, so be prepared for a good walk.
Where To Eat Near Judas’ Ass
If you need somewhere to eat near Judas’ Ass, click here. In this link, you’ll find the 10 best restaurants on Tripadvisor.
Where To Stay Near Judas’ Ass
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Complementary Information
Useful Tools & Apps
The weather in the Azores can be variable, so it’s helpful to use some apps before visiting the islands. Spotazores offers live camera feeds from the main tourist attractions, letting you check the weather and plan your visit. For accurate weather predictions, use Windy or Windguru — they provide the most reliable predictions.
How to Get to São Miguel Island
São Miguel Island is easily accessible with numerous flight routes. Lisbon and Porto are the main entry points to the continent, with direct flights to Ponta Delgada available. To find the best flight, use search engines like eDreams or Skyscanner.
These platforms allow you to compare prices and schedules from different airlines in one place. For more details on how to get to the Azores, look at our guide. Once you find the perfect flight, book it! You’ll reach one of the world’s most beautiful island groups in a few hours.
Best Season to Visit São Miguel Island
São Miguel Island, part of the Eastern Group of the Azores Archipelago, has a unique climate shaped by various factors. This climate fosters the island’s lush vegetation and stunning landscapes. Temperatures stay mild year-round, with only slight variations.
In spring, temperatures average 16 °C, summer peaks at 21 °C, autumn cools to 18 °C, and winter hovers around 14 °C. For more details on the weather in the Azores, take a look at the following links:
- The weather in the Azores in January
- The weather in the Azores in February
- The weather in the Azores in March
- The weather in the Azores in April
- The weather in the Azores in May
- The weather in the Azores in July
- The weather in the Azores in August
Cultural Agenda of São Miguel Island
São Miguel Island hosts a wide range of cultural events throughout the year. The complete list of events is on the cultural agenda!
Video — Judas’ Ass, Água Retorta (São Miguel Island, Azores)
Conclusion
Cu de Judas is a small slope on the side of the Serra da Tronqueira. This isolated and uninhabited spot is far from the nearest urban areas, so it’s an excellent place to enjoy the beauty of Azorean nature.
When you visit the municipality of Povoação, take the opportunity to discover this and many other wonders that nature has to offer. You can also visit Nordeste and explore other tourist attractions, such as the Arnel Lighthouse or the Ponta do Sossego viewpoint.
Finally, we recommend booking your visit to São Miguel in advance to guarantee good value for money.
References
- Mendonça, L. (2017). Questions and Answers on the History of the Azores. 2nd Edition, Letras Lavadas. Ponta Delgada.
- Forjaz, V., Ribeiro, L., Almeida, L., Pereira, N. and Rodrigues, J. (2019). Volcanoes of the Azores (4th Edition). Letras Lavadas. Ponta Delgada.
