Agualva combines a landscape shaped by water with a rich mill heritage. Ribeira da Agualva is one of the few watercourses on Terceira that flow all year round; the Baías da Agualva coastal route adds a second landscape highlight. This lets you choose between the river, forest and traces of mills on the one hand, and the geology of the coast on the other.

Forest and water at Ribeira

Mata das Frechas was restored to a more natural state in 2019. Eucalyptus and acacia trees were removed to make room for planting endemic species of high ecological value. Species found there include sanguinho (Frangula azorica), ginjeira do mato (Prunus azorica), uva-da-serra (Vaccinium cylindraceum), cedro-do-mato (Juniperus brevifolius), urze (Erica azorica) and pau branco (Picconia azorica). The composition of species may change over time.

Ribeira da Agualva is used for walking and trekking. Along the river, waterfalls form small freshwater pools that are used for swimming. Check local water conditions before swimming. The history of milling is also connected to the Ribeira: until the mid-20th century, around 50 watermills had been established there. This number conveys the historical scale of milling, while surviving structural remains bring individual traces to life.

Coastal route and geosite

The linear Baías da Agualva coastal route runs between Agualva and Quatro Ribeiras. Much of it lies within a protected area of Parque Natural da Terceira, designated as a habitat or species protection area. The starting point is on Canada da Alagoa, next to a car park. From there, the route descends towards the Alagoa da Fajãzinha geosite.

Alagoa da Fajãzinha, also known as Fajã da Alagoa, is a geosite on the route. The former bay was filled in by sediments from a watercourse that flows into it, and is bordered by a pebble beach along the coast. The route therefore highlights not only the coastal landscape but also the formation and shape of the bay.

Mill history and Parque das Frechas

Agualva was probably established as a parish around 1588. The first church was built in a chapel dedicated to Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe. The history of the place thus encompasses both this early religious origin and the milling industry along the Ribeira.

Near Parque das Frechas, surviving evidence of milling can be found: “pulos”, watercourses, and the ruins of a watermill with a watercourse and basin. Agualva’s mill heritage also includes a fully restored, working watermill. The approximately 50 historic mills and surviving structural remains offer different insights into this heritage.

Parque das Frechas has toilets, a fountain, a small lake, two car parks, tables, barbecue areas, an oven and a bandstand. As facilities may change, check the information before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Porto Judeu, Porto Martins, Raminho, Altares, S. Bento, Angra Do Heroísmo, Fonte Do Bastardo, Cabo Da Praia

For the main travel overview: Terceira.