Pico de Ana Ferreira is an unbelievable rock formation on Porto Santo, which seems like a backbone of jagged rocks operating down the middle of the island. There are a number of points of interest at Pico de Ana Ferreira such because the quite a few caves to discover, a hike to the summit alongside the jagged ridge, and the ‘Organ Pipes’ rock formation. In this weblog publish, I’ll share with you the entire particulars about visiting Pico de Ana Ferreira for dawn, sundown, mountaineering, and viewing the rock formations and caves.
HOW TO GET TO PICO DE ANA FERREIRA
Pico de Ana Ferreira is accessible from many sides however I discovered one of the best ways is to begin on the ‘Organ Pipes’ after which hike as much as the cave after which proceed to the summit. This is the simplest technique to go to all three points of interest in a single direct route. I’ve added the pin location for the ‘Organ Pipes’ rock formation so you already know the place to start. You can park within the gravel parking zone close to the golf course or drive all the best way up alongside the gravel highway to the parking zone proper on the Organ Pipes.
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I’ll share with you the points of interest within the order I visited them so you may plan your journey to Pico de Ana Ferreira.
PICO DE ANA FERREIRA ORGAN PIPES
After parking the automobile within the gravel parking zone close to the golf course, we adopted the filth path up the hill to the ‘Organ Pipes’.
This rock formation is extremely distinctive, with an organ-pipe association of pentagonal rock columns, which was attributable to volcanic exercise hundreds of thousands of years in the past. The crest was produced by differential erosion, which suggests the ‘host’ rocks had been worn out exposing the extra sturdy and resistant interior layer of mugearitic rock.
At the bottom of the organ pipes, you may stroll all the best way as much as examine the floor. When you’re near the rocks, you’ll shortly be dwarfed by the massive, elongated columns that tower above. It’s a really distinctive spot to go to on Porto Santo.
PICO DE ANA FERREIRA SUNRISE CAVE
After visiting the ‘Organ Pipes,’ you’ll spot a path to the left of the rock formation. Follow this path to the left and it’ll take you on a 15-minute stroll across the hill. It is a worn path however there aren’t any indicators and it’s not at all times very clear the place the precise monitor is. Basically, you are attempting to achieve the northern finish of the crest/ridge of Pico de Ana Ferreira. This is the place you’ll find the cave.
The path runs out after a couple of hundred meters and you have to start the incline up the hill. Again, there isn’t any clear path however you may spot a couple of worn tracks as you clamber up via the lengthy grass, avoiding the cactus vegetation alongside the best way. There are a number of routes to the caves with some coming from the west and even on prime of the ridge, however I discovered this one of the best route.
You will spot the caves from midway up the hill after which you may determine one of the best path to achieve them. I discovered it helpful to go to throughout the day relatively than attempting to determine all of it out throughout dawn as a result of, at the hours of darkness, the caves are more durable to identify.
Once you attain the caves, you will notice there are two separate caves about 5 meters huge. The nice half about these caves is that they face on to the east so you may sit contained in the cave, hiding from any wind, whereas ready for the solar to rise over the ocean within the east. I visited the caves throughout the day and for dawn. They had been each nice instances to go to however the dawn was additional particular with some good colours coming out over the clouds because the solar breached the horizon.
PICO DE ANA FERREIRA HIKE
The remaining a part of the journey to Pico de Ana Ferreira is the hike. It’s not for everybody, however if you’re adventurous, traversing the backbone of the rock formation will probably be one of many highlights of your Porto Santo journey. After visiting the cave, you’ll climb across the nook and get on prime of the cave. This is simpler than it sounds. You then mainly take a direct path to the summit alongside the ridge.
If clambering alongside the backbone is just a little nerve-wracking for you however the summit is in your bucket record, you may take the decrease path that cuts up and down the rocks. It isn’t fairly as enjoyable however includes much less clambering and might be a bit safer.
The views trying again down the backbone throughout the golden hour earlier than sundown had been simply unbelievable. For an island not recognized for mountaineering, Porto Santo positive does have some fairly ridges and peaks.
The remaining incline is up the rocks of the summit, which had been fairly fundamental however you’ll nonetheless must take care. The rocks right here had been very dry and grippy however I’d not advocate this hike if it has been raining as you don’t wish to be on these rocks when it’s slippery.
From the summit, you’ve gotten panoramic views of your entire island. To the east, you may spot the entire different mountain peaks and to the west, you may watch the solar slowly fade behind the coastal sea cliffs. You’ll additionally see the Espigao peak close by, which is one other nice hike on Porto Santo Island. You can’t see the solar hit the horizon from this viewpoint, however it’s nonetheless an ideal sundown spot. Just be sure to deliver a headlamp or go away your self sufficient gentle to get again down.
I climbed down from the summit on the southwestern facet of the ridge to discover a couple of extra caves. These are fairly unknown in comparison with the caves on the east and you’ll hardly ever discover individuals in them. One of the caves was formed like a teardrop and on a day with a stupendous sundown and a colourful sky, it could be an ideal spot to sit down again and loosen up.
There are a number of routes down however I returned again alongside the ridge earlier than dropping down on a protected part to hitch the gravel highway again to the parking zone close to the golf course.
I hope you loved this information about Pico de Ana Ferreira on Porto Santo Island.
WHERE TO STAY ON PORTO SANTO
There are a whole lot of choices on Porto Santo Island from massive all-inclusive accommodations to small Airbnb residences. I’ve written an enormous publish about the entire finest choices in terms of Porto Santo and you’ll test it out right here: WHERE TO STAY ON PORTO SANTO ISLAND: 11 BEST RESORTS AND HOTELS
I stayed for 5 days at Vila Baleira Resort and 5 days at Hotel Porto Santo & Spa but additionally heard and noticed nice issues about Pestana Porto Santo Beach Resort & Spa. Here’s a fast glimpse at these three, lovely beachside lodging.
VILA BALEIRA RESORT
Vila Baleira Porto Santo (Luxury & All-inclusive): THIS IS WHERE I STAYED! Vila Baleira is a 4-star resort located proper on the golden sand seaside of Porto Santo. The rooms are on one facet of the highway and the restaurant and pool space are immediately subsequent to the seaside. I had the all-inclusive bundle, which meant we obtained a wristband after we arrived after which had buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner in addition to limitless espresso and alcohol all day, day by day.
Click right here to verify one of the best present charges and availability of Vila Baleira Porto Santo.
Pestana Porto Santo Beach Resort & Spa (Luxury): This is a 5-star resort on Porto Santo Island and it’s by the most important resort group in Portugal. The second you step within the resort you’ll be rewarded with a blissful setting and its world-class facilities. I’d’ve appreciated to remain right here and from all the pieces, I heard whereas on the island, it’s a fairly superior place to remain. It’s the highest decide for a resort on Porto Santo Island if you would like luxurious!
Click right here to verify one of the best present charges and availability of Pestana Porto Santo Beach Resort & Spa.
Hotel Porto Santo & Spa (Luxury): THIS IS WHERE I STAYED! Another elegant, 4-star resort is Hotel Porto Santo & Spa the place I stayed for my second 5-day interval on my 10-day journey to Porto Santo Island. I’d fortunately advocate this Porto Santo resort for {couples} and people searching for beachfront luxurious with a really stress-free environment. On prime of that, the spa has a Turkish bathtub, a heated pool, therapeutic massage rooms, rest spots, sizzling sand remedy, and extra. Not to say the restaurant serves recent native dishes.
Click right here to verify one of the best present charges and availability of Hotel Porto Santo & Spa.
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