The trails around São Pedro vary considerably in route and length: on the Grande Rota, you can choose between stages of 16.5 and 22.5 kilometres, while Percurso 51 forms a circular cycling route. There is also a coastal route with opportunities for nature watching, as well as buildings whose history spans several centuries. These differences offer practical guidance for planning your trip—whether you want to focus on hiking, cycling or religious architectural heritage.
Walking Trails, Coast and Landscape
The Norte–Bananeiras stage of the Grande Rota is 16.5 kilometres long and leads to Bananeiras in the Freguesia of São Pedro. Stage 4 runs from Bananeiras to Vila do Porto and covers 22.5 kilometres. Another stage of the Grande Rota Santa Maria passes through wooded areas and reaches a viewpoint overlooking the village of São Pedro. These routes can therefore be distinguished by their length and destination.
The linear Costa Norte PR01SMA trail connects Bananeiras with the historic village of Anjos along the north coast of Santa Maria. In the Ribeira do Engenho section, native and endemic plants can be found, including Picconia azorica, Morella faya and Pericallis malvifolia. Several bird species are also frequently seen or heard along the trail. Such sightings are seasonal and not guaranteed.
The Bananeiras–Vila do Porto stage reaches Baía do Raposo. There you will find a landscape classified as a geosite, with the ruins of two watermills, the levada that supplied them and a wine press from the local wine-growing culture. Baía do Raposo lies within the Área de Paisagem Protegida do Barreiro da Faneca and is classified as a geosite of the Açores Geoparque Mundial da UNESCO. If you are planning a visit for specialist purposes, it is advisable to check these classifications in advance. Barreiro da Faneca is also known as the Azores’ “Red Desert”.
Percurso 51 offers a different kind of route for cycling: it is circular, has a low difficulty level and follows a relatively flat course on the western side of Santa Maria. The route passes through São Pedro, where white houses stand out with yellow-painted window and door grilles—yellow is the traditional colour of the Freguesia. When comparing walking and cycling routes, you can take both their different formats and the stated distances of the Grande Rota stages into account.
Getting There and Finding Your Way
The Costa Norte PR01SMA trail can be reached from Vila do Porto via the regional road towards São Pedro; its starting point is near Feteiras de São Pedro. As local conditions may change, check them before setting out. Barreiro da Faneca can be reached by car via the Paúl or Piquinhos roads in the Freguesia of São Pedro.
Churches, Chapels and Traditions
The Igreja Paroquial de São Pedro is also known as Igreja de São Pedro e Treatro. It was rebuilt in the second half of the 18th century over a 16th-century church, which in turn originated as a 15th-century chapel. The church stands on a raised platform. A wall surrounds the churchyard, which can be reached from the front by a broad staircase. The adjoining Treatro is used for the traditional Império celebrations.
The Ermida de Nossa Senhora de Fátima was built in the 20th century on a hill at an altitude of 245 metres, offering open views. A staircase with 150 steps and 10 landings leads to it; these symbolise the beads of the rosary and its mysteries. According to tradition, it was the first chapel dedicated to Nossa Senhora de Fátima to be built outside Leiria, after the Capelinha das Aparições in Cova da Iria.
The Ermida de Nossa Senhora de Monserrate also has a distinctive character. In Paúl de Cima, it stands in a picturesque spot hidden among trees, with panoramic views across the Freguesia of Vila do Porto. Its foundations probably date from the 16th century; the present structure was built in the 18th century in the Mannerist style and rebuilt in the late 20th or early 21st century. At Fonte São José, a cartouche beneath the central arch bears the dates “1722” and “1915”. The Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Saúde was rebuilt in 1858 at a different location from the original chapel. It stands on a raised platform beside a road junction.
The Festas de São Pedro include Masses and processions in honour of the patron saint of the Freguesia of São Pedro. They are celebrated between June and August; the exact dates follow the religious calendar. If you want to plan your trip around the festivities, check the date for the relevant year.
Discover more destinations: Almagreira, Santo Espírito, Vila Do Porto
Return to the main travel guide: Santa Maria.
