Surrounded by a dense forest, Salto do Cagarrão is a wonderful waterfall on São Miguel island. This surely corresponds to exactly what you think of when you picture a waterfall: beautiful clear water flowing down a green hill filled with lush vegetation, with a river at its foot decorated with some beautiful rocks.
It is a little paradise on the Southeastern part of the Green Island. On the way there, you can discover plenty of other natural wonders. Make sure to fully explore this wild area during your travel to the Azores thanks to this guide to Salto do Cagarrão.
What is Salto do Cagarrão?
Salto do Cagarrão is probably the most underrated waterfall of the Azores. It sure is only 6 meters high. But this waterfall is quite impressive due to its hidden location, and its untouched lush vegetation away from the tourist hotspots.
The reason it is not so famous is probably because it is only accessible by foot. You have to go via a trail that can be a bit muddy on rainy days. It is not the kind of attraction where you park your car and you arrive. It is a true hidden gem, not accessible to all.
Its sister, Salto do Prego, is more famous because the trail is in better condition. However, at Salto do Cagarrão, you can enjoy the view to yourself and even take a swim in its refreshing waters.
Plan Your Visit To Salto do Cagarrão
How To Get To Salto do Cagarrão
Salto do Cagarrão is located near the town of Faial da Terra. As mentioned before, this waterfall is only reachable by foot. You first need to drive almost all the way East on the south road around São Miguel island. Then, there are two possible ways to reach the waterfall:
First, via the 7.6 km trail of Sanguinho (PRC09SMI) beginning at the centre of Faial da Terra. This hike will walk you through the abandoned village of Sanguinho, the waterfall of Salto do Prego and if you wish you can go up to Salto do Cagarrão for a beautiful detour. It takes about 3 hours to complete the mostly circular trail, with 2 linear paths to go to both waterfalls. Just park at the beginning of the hike inside Faial da Terra and follow the indications in yellow and red.
If you don’t have that much time on your hands or don’t want to walk that much, there is the PR11SMI trail — Ribeira do Faial da Terra. It is 1 hour long both ways (3 km). This trail begins at the National Road from Povoação to Água Retorta EN-1-1A, right before the locality of ‘Cú de Judas’. You will see a small picnic area with an indication towards the waterfall. It will take you on a walk along the river. And if you wish you can also continue to Salto do Prego, the other waterfall nearby for a total of 6 km — 2 hours.
Best Time To Visit Salto do Cagarrão
If you choose the first trail, this is quite a popular one. But you can still enjoy the quietness during the calmer hours of the day like lunchtime, or early in the morning. We do not recommend doing a trail in the dark. So do not leave in the late afternoon in case you get lost or take more time to swim at the waterfall. Always check the sunset time.
Both trails are generally open all year long and both are beautiful. Your choice only depends on how much time you have. However, sometimes trails can be closed due to bad weather conditions or unpracticable paths. Always check the open trails on the official website: https://trails.visitazores.com/
Pro Tips For Salto do Cagarrão
Whatever trail you select, it is never recommended to hike alone. If you are travelling alone, at least let someone know where you are going exactly. Also, make sure you have enough phone battery to last the day. When you don’t know the environment you are in and the weather conditions, it can be easy to lose yourself, so always be careful and bring some snacks as well as a bottle of water.
What To Do Around Salto do Cagarrão
Dive Into the Salto do Prego Waterfall
After completing the Salto do Prego Trail, you’ll arrive at this stunning natural gem. A true highlight of São Miguel, the waterfall rewards every visitor who makes the effort to reach it.
Although the Salto do Prego Waterfall is relatively small, its powerful cascade and serene surroundings make it unforgettable. The icy waters plunge into a shallow pool framed by rugged rocks, offering an ideal spot to unwind and connect with nature.
Take a moment to relax, have a picnic with family or friends, and bask in the tranquility. Whether soaking in the refreshing water or exploring the top of the waterfall, visitors often describe the experience as revitalizing for both body and mind.
Step Back in Time at Aldeia do Sanguinho
Aldeia do Sanguinho is a small, picturesque rural village nestled amidst lush tropical vegetation. Nestled along the trail to Salto do Prego Waterfall, this tranquil village reveals glimpses of São Miguel’s historical past.
The village, built centuries ago, served as a haven for its inhabitants. Farmers and emigrants seeking better living conditions strategically positioned the village to protect homes, land, and farms from severe storms. Its name, “Sanguinho,” originates from the abundant presence of the sanguinho shrub species in the area.
Residents abandoned Aldeia do Sanguinho around four decades ago after severe floods devastated Faial da Terra. At its peak, the village housed over 200 residents in around twenty homes.
Today, a revitalization project breathes new life into this historic settlement. People have restored some houses, making them available for stays. A café has also opened, offering a warm and welcoming stop for those exploring the region.
Explore this serene village and immerse yourself in its blend of history, nature, and renewed vibrancy.
Visit Faial da Terra
Faial da Terra, also known locally as the “Nativity Scene of the Island”, is a parish of São Miguel with approximately 350 inhabitants who live essentially from agricultural activity.
This parish has many particularities. Among them stand out:
- Fertile lands;
- Proximity to the sea;
- Proximity to the main bathing areas of São Miguel.
It is estimated that, in the early sixteenth century, this was one of the first places to be populated on the island.
Did you know
The Faial of the Earth inherited this name due to the abundant presence of the small tree “Beech-of-Earth” (Murcia Faya). This species native to The Macaronesia of the Azores dominated the low-lying forests of the island.
During your visit to Faial da Terra, we advise our readers to explore the wonderful Salto do Prego Trail, the unforgettable Aldeia do Sanguinho and the imposing Salto do Prego Waterfall.
See the Sunset at Miradouro do Pôr do Sol
Located on the regional road ER1-1A, inside Povoação county, at 320m above sea level, this viewpoint offers a gorgeous panorama over the ocean and the south coast of the green island. In fact, in addition to the Atlantic Ocean, you can observe parts of the beautiful Povoação town, the fields all around, the town of Ribeira Quente in the background and Ponta do Garajau — a beautiful peninsula. On a sunny day, you could even see Santa Maria Island! It is a picnic area with grills to make your barbecue, toilets, and a car park.
Miradouro do Pôr do Sol means ‘The viewpoint of the sunset’, because you can see a beautiful sunset from there. Note that the best sunsets of São Miguel can be watched from Mosteiros, on the Western coast, but if you are on the East part of the island visiting Salto do Cagarrão, this is a great option.
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 of Salto do Cagarrão (São Miguel Island, Azores)
Conclusion
Salto do Cagarrão is a beautiful place to explore, with many things to do around it. For nature lovers, this is a small paradise away from the popular tourist itineraries.
Enjoy the treasures of São Miguel island and visit Salto do Cagarrão! You could even swim in its crystal clear waters for a refreshing moment.
